Governance

Gwen Godfrey

Acting Chair

Gwen is a retired solicitor. She specialised in banking and finance and has widespread experience of corporate lending and property finance, acting variously for banks and borrowers. Her non-executive experience includes roles as the vice chair of Octavia Housing, a trustee of the Octavia Foundation and a governor on the Education Governing Body of Young Epilepsy. Gwen joined the Board in September 2023.

Reginald Parkinson

Board Member

Reginald joined the Board in May 2021 with over 23 years' social housing and charity sector experience, 18 of these at senior leadership level. Reginald is CEO at Age UK Ealing and prior to this role, he was CEO at YMCA North London and before that YMCA Slough.

He has particular interest in turning strategic plans into practical and valued community services.

Sandra Nwajiaku

Board Member

Sandra joined the Board in July 2021. Sandra is a finance professional with over 20 years of experience across a wide variety of sectors, the last 12 years at The Crown Estate as the Lead Business Partner building effective relationships with leadership teams and driving change to meet corporate objectives. Aligned to this I have a keen interest in the social housing sector and the programme of affordable housing alongside the development of robust and inclusive community programmes

Clive Stuart

Board Member

Clive joined the Board in 2021 following a 6-year term at CCHA. Clive has transitioned from a corporate career in large Construction related businesses, as an Executive Director in commercial Finance and Strategic Business Development roles, to build a business portfolio of: Management Consultancy and Coaching for SME businesses in the construction sector, particularly in strategic business leadership & people development programmes; and Non-exec roles in NfP and commercial organisations. Clive has a life-long interest in the built environment and promotes Construction Excellence & efficiency to deliver VFM and sustainable building developments. He consults with Construction leaders sharing this vision

Charles Culling

Board Member

Charles joined the Board in May 2022 and has extensive experience as a non-Executive Director in the sector. He is currently Head of Intermediate Rent and Agency Services at Network Homes Ltd. He is Chartered Surveyor (FRICS) and he is highly qualified, including MCIOB and a Chartered Environmentalist (CEnv) memberships along with being a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Housing. Charles also has an MSc in Surveying and an MBA, specialising in Finance and Strategic Management

Kalwant Grewal

Board Member

Kalwant joined the Board in May 2022 and is currently in a senior leadership role for one of the largest NHS Trusts in England where he contributes to shaping, designing and influencing healthcare outcomes for the local population including for children, young people and adults. He operates at strategic, operational, and financial leadership levels and has considerable board and committee level experience. Prior to this he was part of the senior leadership team for a well-known national charity for Older People.

Earlier in his career Kalwant spent several years as an elected school governor in primary and secondary schools and local authority settings, including as Parent Governor Representative for all primary schools within his borough. He worked closely with Head Teachers, Ofsted Inspectors, Local Authority Leaders, and elected Councillors and helped to shape education strategy and address inequality outcomes for his local community. Kalwant also currently serves as Board Member for a Law Centre and is hugely passionate about addressing housing needs and delivering real social value to communities.

Mike May

Board Member

Mike is an experienced Chartered Construction Manager and a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Building. Having trained as an Architect, Mike has been working in the building industry for over 45 years, with major contractors and developers in both the private and public sectors. He has held the post of Construction Director at major housebuilders such as St George (Berkeley Group), Fairclough Homes and Laing Homes before moving into the public sector with Peabody, Southern Homes (12 years) and lately with A2Dominion where he has been the Construction Director for the past 6 years. He has previous Board experience with Guilford College and Mount Green Housing Association. Mike will join the Board in September 2024

Liz Geary FCIPD

Board Member

Liz Geary is an experienced HR leader and manager who has worked in a variety of organisations, and across the public and private sectors, over the last 30 years. Organisations include a Multi-Academy Trust, a research and teaching Institute and a large London FE college, as well as Origin Housing and two local authorities. Liz became a Fellow of the CIPD in 2004 and gained a Certificate in Executive Coaching and Mentoring through the ILM. She has managed multi-disciplinary teams, with remits covering all aspects of HR, and has led numerous change projects including a merger, restructures, the establishment of a shared services company and office moves. Liz joined the Board in June 2024.

Kerry Heath

Board Member

“I have spent my working life committed to improving people’s lives through the provision of good quality, affordable housing. Sapphire Independent Housing enhances the lives of a diversity of individuals with a range of needs, which resonates with my passion for helping people to live better lives.”

Kerry has spent all of her career working in the residential construction sector. Kerry worked for Hexagon HA for most of her career as Development & Sales Director responsible for growth and the delivery of new homes, and has recently become a consultant specialising in development, regeneration, asset management, building safety and cladding remediation. Kerry has an honours degree in Quantity Surveying and holds an MA in Housing Studies, in addition she is a Fellow Member of the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors and is also a Fellow Member of the Chartered Institute of Housing. She holds memberships of the Institute of Directors and Institute of Leadership Management. Kerry is a board member of Sutton Living Limited, a commercial subsidiary of Sutton council. Kerry is also a mentor for The Land Collective which supports young people in their quest to have a career in the built environment sector. Kerry has recently joined the RICS Residential Professional Group.