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Our Homes board

SSHA is run by a board of directors who bring together their skills and experience to make important decisions about the homes and the services we provide for our customers.

The responsibilities of the Board include:

  • Making sure that we are run lawfully and ethically
  • Approving our business plan
  • Agreeing strategies, policies, financial and investment plans
  • Monitoring our performance and ensuring that we deliver value for money

Our board members are listed below – please click on their names to learn more about them.

Peter Phillips

Chair
Peter is a qualified chartered accountant with extensive experience in the financial and commercial sectors. He worked in executive roles at a number of large international companies before commencing an independent career as a restructuring and turnaround specialist, leading on the recovery of poorly performing companies and charities. He is currently a non-executive director of Shropshire Community Health NHS Trust.

Passionate about the performing arts, Peter has been a board member at a number of organisations including the Welsh National Opera, Birmingham Opera Company and the Arts Council England.

“I believe that the provision of high-quality social housing is the key to improving the quality of life of many people in Staffordshire and Shropshire. Good, affordable housing results in excellent and harmonious neighbourhoods.”

Tony Pate

Board member
Tony's diverse career encompasses a wide range of operational and strategic responsibilities over a 34-year time span.

With more than 20 years' experience at executive level, Tony was the managing director of Arena Homes (part of the Arena Group) which has recently merged to form “Your Housing Group”.

Tony was an Executive Board Member of the Arena Homes Board and joined the SSHA board in 2013. He was appointed to the Homes Board in 2016.

“I fervently believe in the values of the social housing movement and think that the future holds many challenges for the sector."

Steve Jennings

Board member
Steve’s career in housing began over 40 years ago when he joined the sector straight from school.

Chief executive at Weaver Vale Housing between 2004 and 2017, Steve has over 20 years’ experience in providing leadership in both executive and non-executive roles. He is currently a board member at VIVO Care Choices.

“My passion for improving the quality of life of customers has been a fundamental driver throughout my career.”

Rory O'Byrne

Board member
Rory is a partner at Wace Morgan solicitors in Shrewsbury and is a Social Housing and Development specialist.

He focuses upon residential development and has over twelve years’ experience in delivering social housing, strategic land acquisition, stock transfers and regeneration projects for housing associations, local authorities and the private sector.

Rory joined the Severnside Board in 2010 and was appointed to the Homes Board in 2016.

Phil Ingle

Board member
Finance Director and Deputy Chief Executive, Housing Plus Group
Phil qualified as a Chartered Management Accountant with multi-national consulting engineers, WS Atkins. He went on to work for Somerset County Council before becoming Director of Financial Services at the newly-formed Hereford and Worcester Fire Authority.

He became Finance Director of South Staffordshire Housing Association in 2003. During his time with SSHA Phil has been very proud of its growth and excellent delivery of housing services to residents in and around South Staffordshire, in particular the development of Housing Plus Group.

Malcolm Price

Board member
An Executive Member of Shropshire Council, holding the Cabinet Portfolios for Planning and Housing, Malcolm also represents the Battlefield ward in North Shrewsbury, a position he has held for over 14 years.

As a former member of the Fire Service, Malcolm is particularly interested in the safety and well-being of residents.

He joined the Severnside Board in 2010 and was appointed to the Homes Board in 2016.

Malcolm told us “I want the new Housing Plus Group to provide excellent housing and care facilities to meet the needs of our communities in Shropshire and Staffordshire.
Being able to influence the outcome and direction of the new group and ensuring we are an exemplary landlord, that engages and listens to customers, is what excites me the most about my new role."

Lionel Haynes

Board member
A qualified chartered accountant, Lionel has over 40 years’ experience in commerce, consultancy and housing.

He has a wealth of housing sector knowledge as a current board member at Loddon Housing Association and having previously worked as finance director at Sentinel Housing and two other housing associations.

Lionel believes “Good quality social housing, in safe communities is one of the cornerstones of a strong economy and the social and educational fabric of the country.”

Catherine Dass

Board member
Catherine has worked in the housing sector for over 15 years and has extensive experience and skills in HR, business development and transformation, marketing communications and diversity and inclusion.

Currently Director of people and performance at Fortis Living, Catherine has a real passion for executive level coaching, holding a Level 7 qualification in executive coaching and is MBTI qualified.

“Housing is such a fundamental need and makes the most significant difference to quality of life, wellbeing and opportunities. I want to use my skills, personal strengths and experience within the housing sector to ensure that we deliver excellent services that meet our customers’ needs.”

South Staffordshire Housing Association Ltd.
Acton Court, Acton Gate, Stafford, Staffordshire ST18 9AP

Registered in England and Wales as a Charitable Community Benefit Society (28312R)

VAT Number: 254 048024