Robert Holme – Chairman
Rob is a highly respected Financial Lines Claims specialist, bringing over 35 years of experience from the Lloyd’s and London insurance market. His career has been defined by his ability to navigate complex legal and commercial landscapes, resolve high-value disputes, and lead operational teams with a focus on governance, accountability, and results.
Rob has handled significant losses and complex policy disputes across all classes of business, including solicitor negligence and insurance/reinsurance matters. He has led third-party administrator (TPA) operations at both DWF and Womble Bond Dickinson, and previously held senior positions including Claims Manager at WRB Underwriting, following an 18-year tenure at Ince & Co.
Recognised by clients as a “high-end achiever” and a “master negotiator,” Rob’s leadership style is marked by strategic thinking, meticulous risk management, and a firm commitment to service excellence.
In his role as Chairman, Rob brings a wealth of expertise in risk, compliance, dispute resolution, and stakeholder management—all critical to supporting the governance and strategic growth of a modern social housing enterprise. His proven ability to balance complex stakeholder interests while ensuring operational integrity positions him as a strong advocate for sustainable, socially responsible housing provision.
Clare Woodmansey – Non-Executive Director
Clare Woodmansey brings extensive frontline and leadership experience to the Board, underpinned by a distinguished 25-year career in the NHS, predominantly across London. She is a qualified Nurse, Midwife, and Health Visitor, graduating from King’s College London in 1997 with an Honours degree, and has built her career around working with marginalised and vulnerable groups, including HIV-positive women, homeless families, highly mobile traveller communities, and young single mothers.
After relocating to Yorkshire in 2008, Clare transitioned into the private sector, contributing to social research and screening initiatives. She remains deeply committed to the principles of safeguarding, compliance, and cost-effective service delivery—ensuring that the needs of clients are met while maintaining the highest standards of professional integrity.
Clare’s empathetic, communication-driven approach has been central to her success. She has a proven ability to build trust with vulnerable and anxious individuals, creating safe environments where open dialogue and effective support can thrive. Her focus on strong interpersonal relationships, both with colleagues and service users, is matched by her pragmatic understanding of balancing operational efficiency with client-centred care.
As a Non-Executive Director, Clare brings a vital perspective to the Board, championing the voice of vulnerable communities, supporting regulatory compliance, and strengthening the organisation’s commitment to delivering safe, ethical, and sustainable social housing services.
David Lawson – Non-Executive Director
David Lawson is a highly experienced Solicitor and Director at DRN Solicitors in Burnley, Lancashire, where he has specialised in criminal law and a broad range of regulatory matters for over 25 years. His extensive legal career provides him with a strong foundation in governance, compliance, and risk management—skills that are crucial to supporting the oversight and strategic development of a modern social housing enterprise.
David’s work in the criminal law field gives him a nuanced understanding of the social and economic factors that often underpin offending behaviours, offering valuable insights into the wider systemic challenges faced by vulnerable communities. His expertise in regulatory frameworks extends across a diverse range of sectors, equipping him with a broad and pragmatic approach to managing complex compliance environments.
Beyond his legal career, David is committed to community engagement and service. He currently serves as a Trustee for the charity BFC in the Community, and has previously held a Trustee role at a local hospice, reinforcing his dedication to social impact and ethical governance.
As a Non-Executive Director, David brings legal rigour, strategic thinking, and a deep understanding of social justice issues to the Board, helping to strengthen the organisation’s regulatory resilience and its commitment to supporting residents with integrity and care.
Stephen Saunders – Non-Executive Director
Stephen Saunders is a highly accomplished Managing Director and Non-Executive Director with an extensive leadership background across listed companies and regulated sectors. An engineer by profession, Stephen graduated from Loughborough University with an Honours degree in Engineering and Management, blending technical expertise with commercial acumen from the outset of his career.
During the first half of his career, Stephen successfully ran subsidiary companies within major UK engineering-based PLCs, leading operations on an international scale and delivering strong commercial performance under the scrutiny of listed environments. His leadership has been defined by operational excellence, strategic clarity, and a relentless focus on delivering shareholder value and sustainable growth.
Over the past twenty years, Stephen has built a highly regarded advisory business, working directly with business owners, CEOs, and Managing Directors across a wide range of industries. As a trusted advisor and catalyst for growth, he brings sharp commercial insight, governance expertise, and a strong focus on leadership development. His role often includes serving as a Non-Executive Director, where he challenges, mentors, and steers leadership teams through complex growth, regulatory compliance, and transformational change.
Stephen’s experience working across heavily regulated industries, combined with his listed company background, positions him perfectly to support the governance, strategic growth, and regulatory resilience of a modern social housing enterprise. His approach balances high-level strategic challenge with practical, hands-on support to drive sustainable success.
Martin Billingham – CEO
Martin Billingham is a visionary, data-driven leader with deep expertise across the housing sector and adjacent industries. His leadership career spans strategic C-suite roles within mergers and acquisitions (M&A), private equity (P.E.), and P.E.-backed organisations, giving him a unique commercial and operational edge.
Martin’s comprehensive skill set covers all aspects of portfolio and asset management, with proven success across commercial, financial, and operational domains in housing, regulated care, housebuilding, and capital equipment sectors. He is recognised for his ability to transform struggling organisations and foster high-growth environments, building sustainable business models that operate within stringent regulatory frameworks and robust independent risk management protocols.
At the heart of Martin’s leadership is a commitment to delivering sustainable outcomes for residents, stakeholders, and investors alike. He holds direct responsibility for ensuring compliance with the Regulator of Social Housing’s Consumer Standards and is the driving force behind the organisation’s major transformation and change management programmes.
Martin is currently leading a portfolio of priority initiatives focused on reshaping the business for long-term success:
Martin’s leadership approach combines strategic vision with operational discipline, ensuring the organisation remains agile, accountable, and ready to meet the evolving demands of the social housing sector.
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