John Simpson - Chair and Independent Board Member (TC)
Joined 2010
John has more than 30 years experience in finance including periods as the Chief Executive Officer of banks in London and Hong Kong. He is Vice Chair of Richmond and Twickenham NHS PCT and is a director of companies involved in fund management and construction of new health centres in public/private partnerships. He is a former Chair of The Sovereign Housing Group Ltd.
Gordon Holdcroft - Independent Board Member (RHRC)
Joined 2010
A former Chief Executive of Basingstoke & Deane Borough Council, Gordon’s earlier career included managing some of the country’s largest leisure and conference facilities as well as responsibility for a wide range of local government services, including housing. He was Chair of a local Community Safety Forum for seven years and more recently Chair of the Basingstoke and North Hampshire Foundation Trust Hospital. He is a former Chair of Kingfisher HVHS Housing Association Ltd.
Steve Abbott - Independent Board Member (ARC/TC)
Joined 2008
Steve is a housing consultant having worked in the local authority and Registered Social Landlord housing sectors for over 30 years. He is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Housing with expertise in housing management and development. He is a trustee of a local Citizens Advice Bureau and is on the board of a small self-help housing association specialising in supported housing.
Gerry Boyle - Independent Board Member
Joined 2005
Gerry is a former Managing Director of Barratt (Southern Counties) Ltd. He has extensive knowledge of the construction industry, residential property development and management.
Cathy Ferrier - Independent Board Member (ARC/RHRC)
Joined 2009
Cathy is Chief Executive Officer of the charity Sentebale. Before then she was Fundraising and Marketing Director for Oxfam where she was responsible for raising £100m per annum for Oxfam GB and led the brand refresh work. Cathy has spent 25 years in commercial roles for leading retailers including the Burton Group, the Walt Disney Co. and WH Smith. She is a former Chair of The Vale Housing Association Ltd.
Alan Hickmore - Resident Board Member (TC)
Joined 2010
Alan is a Town Councillor and was a Mayor of Farringdon and a District Councillor as well as a member of several boards of large companies. He has significant knowledge and experience of the operating environment of the social housing sector and its regulation. Currently he is also a trustee of 5 charities.
Simon Lindley - Independent Board Member (ARC/TC)
Joined 2004
Simon has run consultancy businesses in the UK, USA and Asia, specialising in the financial services industry. He is a member of several external boards and was previously a board member of Sovereign Housing Association Ltd.
Ron Manley OBE - Independent Board Member (RHRC)
Joined 2005
Ron is retired from the Ministry of Defence and the UN’s Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons. A Visiting Professor at Cranfield University, he chairs Dorset County Council’s Standards Committee. He is a former Chair of Sovereign Housing Association Ltd.
Verity Murricane - Resident Board Member (RHRC)
Joined 2007
Verity is involved in many community and disability organisations, especially in mental health and she is currently chair of a small mental health charity. She has wide experience gained through her work as a community artist and as a result of being a social housing resident for over 20 years.
John Rees-Evans - Independent Board Member (RHRC)
Joined 2009
After working as an Export Manager in the aerospace industry, John moved into economic development, tourism and European relations. He set up the Economic Development Office of Hampshire County Council and now acts as a consultant on economic initiatives. He is also a Governor of Highbury College, Portsmouth.
Matt Sands - Resident Board Member (ARC)
Joined 2012
Matt is a shared owner in Bristol and has been a Sovereign resident since 2010. He works for Bristol City Council, providing environmental advice to a wide range of services including their housing department. He specialises in sustainable construction and energy efficiency.
Ann Santry - Appointed as Executive Co-optee in 2005
Ann was previously Chief Executive of Swaythling Housing Society and then Sovereign Housing from 1999. She is Vice Chair of the National Housing Federation (NHF) board and a member of the NHF South East Regional Executive Committee.
Gill Sinkinson - Independent Board Member (ARC)
Joined 2007
Gill is a Chartered Accountant and was previously an Audit Partner with a national firm, RSM Bentley Jennison. She runs a consultancy business.
Key to Board Committees:
ARC - Audit and Risk Committee
RHRC - Remuneration and HR Committee
TC - Treasury Committee
