Meet our Executive Board

While the Board is responsible for the effective governance of the business, day to day management is delegated to the Executive Board members.

The Executive Board, led by Chief Executive Officer Mark Washer, work to deliver the strategy, oversee and improve performance while protecting and growing the business.

Mark Washer  
Chief Executive Officer

Mark joined Sovereign as Chief Executive Officer in June 2018, from his role as Chief Financial Officer at Clarion Housing Group. Mark has worked in the housing sector for 25 years and was, until recently, the Vice Chair of the National Housing Federation.

Tracey Barnes
Chief Financial Officer

Tracey, a PwC-trained chartered accountant, has an impressive 30-year career, here and abroad, most recently holding senior finance positions at Diageo, the international beer and spirits giant. 

Kevin Ives 
Chief Information Officer

Kevin joined Sovereign in August 2019. With significant experience in delivering transformational change through technology, he’s held several senior roles in IT, working across the water, construction and transport sectors. 

Most recently Kevin led on digital delivery for Arriva Trains group of businesses, transforming its customer, operations and engineering solutions to businesses including CrossCountry and Northern and London Overground. 

Nicole Sharp
Chief Operating Officer

Overseeing all of Sovereign’s operational services, Nicole brings extensive experience of the social housing sector and a passion for developing a forward-thinking customer-centric culture.

Nicole joined Sovereign in October 2011 and has led a range of operational and customer-service teams and major projects across property, housing and landlord services. This includes a pivotal role on the Transformation Board, which continues to drive forward Sovereign’s digital transformation into a modern, connected business.

Tom Titherington 
Chief Investment and Development Officer

Tom joined Sovereign in January 2019, bringing a wealth of housing experience in delivering new homes on large-scale developments, building private and public sector partnerships and creating sustainable places.  

Tom was formerly Executive Director of Property and Growth at Catalyst Housing and before that spent two years as Chief Executive of the Network Housing Group, building on thirteen years as Executive Director of Business Development at The Hyde Group. 

Sally Hyndman
Chief People Officer 

Sally  is an experienced HR executive with over three decades of knowledge gained from various roles including Marks and Spencer, where she spent 20 years, before moving to ASK restaurants in 2004. Since then she’s been Training Director at Dixons and Group HR Director at Dixons Carphone. Sally joined Sovereign  in January 2021.