The Board

Gordon Johnston (Chair) - Independent Board Member    

Gordon recently retired from his role as deputy Chief Executive in a large local authority and has been involved in housing and related matters for 30 years. He has experience of a range of local authority services including housing, planning and environmental health. He is actively involved in multi-agency partnership working across a range of initiatives.

Tom Brindley - NHDC Nominee

Tom has held a variety of high level posts in customer service, sales and general management. He has lived most of his life in Hertfordshire and represents Codicote on NHDC where he is cabinet member for Planning, Transport and Economic Development. He is also a driving instructor and technical author.

 

Bill Davidson – NHDC Nominee

 

 

Bill worked overseas for 18 years and was last employed as Deputy General Manager of a large dredging company in the Gulf.  Since retiring, he has spent four years as a District Councillor for Royston, two in which he held the portfolio for Waste Management and Ground Maintenance.  He is currently a Trustee/Chairman/Committee member for various local groups as well as being a school Governor and Police volunteer.

Philip Day – Independent Board Member

Philip is a qualified Chartered Accountant who is currently an Assistant Director within the Finance  Department at Peabody, the London based Housing Association. Philip joined Peabody in 2002 from Deloitte where he was an Audit Manager with a varied client portfolio including housing associations, charities and commercial organisations.
Ann Gilligan - Tenant Board Member

 

Ann Gilligan is a tenant board member, who lives in Baldock. She believes pensioners need a voice, and has strong links with Letchworth as her father was born and bred there.

David Kearns - NHDC Nominee      

 

David is a long time Letchworth resident and has been a local councillor for 28 years. He is a governor of North Hertfordshire College and chairs their audit committee. He works in the engineering industry and is an active union member. He is married and has a teenage daughter.

Douglas Kell - NHDC Nominee

 

Doug is now retired, having spent over 40 years in Corporate and International Banking, undertaking a variety of roles including a period of secondment to the Department of Trade and Industry. He has lived in North Hertfordshire since 1982 and has direct involvement with the Scout and Guide movement in the area.

Ralph Kitchener - Tenant Board Member    

 

Ralph brings to the Board over 50 years of experience in industry and management. He is now semi-retired and in his spare time enjoys sport, DIY and gardening. He is also vice-chairman of the governors of Grange Junior School.

Peter Lipman – Independent Board Member

Peter is a management consultant in the public sector. He has thirty years experience in local authorities and further education. He has been Assistant Chief Executive in Bedfordshire and Director in Bedfordshire, Ealing and Epping Forest Councils.
Howard Marshall – NHDC Nominee

 

Before he retired, Howard was the managing director of a national distribution company, serving the construction and water supply industry. He still acts as the non-executive chairman of an iron foundry business. He is an elected member on North Herts District Council and is a freeman of the City of London.

Patricia Marshall - Independent Board Member

Patsy brings to the Board knowledge she gained through working in various jobs from home help to senior management in social work. Since her early retirement she has researched older people in Hertfordshire to gain an MA and PhD. She lives in Letchworth Garden City and was until recently the Chair of North Herts CVS.

Heather McKinley - Tenant Board Member

 

Heather works as an Independent Personal Advocate for a local charity. She previously worked for another charity helping those who became homeless because of a drug or alcohol dependency. Heather believes that both her professional and personal experiences will stand her in good stead whilst serving as a tenant member on the Board of NHH.

 

David Pickering - Independant Board Member

 

David is currently a housing consultant and has been involved in social housing since 1974. Having worked for a variety of housing associations and local authorities primarily in the Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire area, he has experience in both housing development and management services.

Jackie Thomas - Tenant Board Member

 

Jackie is tenant board member for Royston. She is semi-retired but worked for many years in the hospitality industry, running a pub, managing a hotel. She believes that as a tenant she has a particular insight into issues connected with service delivery. She is particularly interested in the provision of affordable housing for younger people.

Pauline Walker - Tenant Board Member

 

Pauline has been a tenant for 41 years and attends resident meetings. She works part-time in a local school and in her spare time, enjoys gardening, reading and spending time with her grandchildren.