Meet the Board
Put a face to a name and find out more about the members of our Boards and Management Committees.
You can find out more about each member by clicking on 'Read more' under their name.
Jump to...Governance Committee
Joined: September 2020
Sarah is the Head of Consultancy for Pennington Choices, providing strategic support to organisations across a range of sectors across the UK. Sarah previously worked at Muir Housing Group as Assistant Director of Business Support and Head of Strategic Change for Cheshire Police and Fire. Sarah has many years experience across the public and not-for-profit sectors leading complex and large-scale digital and organisational change programmes. Sarah spent eight years with the Audit Commission as a Corporate Assessment Inspector and Performance Specialist, as well as time with the HMIC and Cabinet Office as a Gateway Assurance Reviewer for major government projects. Sarah is the Vice Chair of the Women in Social Housing (NW) Network and a member of the Institute of Risk Management. She has a Masters Degree in Business Administration (MBA) and a Joint Honours Degree.
Sarah is the Head of Consultancy for Pennington Choices, providing strategic support to organisations across a range of sectors across the UK. Sarah previously worked at Muir Housing Group as Assistant Director of Business Support and Head of Strategic Change for Cheshire Police and Fire. Sarah has many years experience across the public and not-for-profit sectors leading complex and large-scale digital and organisational change programmes. Sarah spent eight years with the Audit Commission as a Corporate Assessment Inspector and Performance Specialist, as well as time with the HMIC and Cabinet Office as a Gateway Assurance Reviewer for major government projects. Sarah is the Vice Chair of the Women in Social Housing (NW) Network and a member of the Institute of Risk Management. She has a Masters Degree in Business Administration (MBA) and a Joint Honours Degree.
Joined: January 2020
Catherine is Chief Executive of Muir Group Housing Association based in Chester. Catherine previously worked at GreenSquare as Executive Director (Organisational Development & Corporate Services) in Wiltshire and prior to that as Director of Business Support with Synergy Housing based in Dorset. Catherine has many years’ experience in housing and working for a local authority in education, social services and the fire & rescue service. Catherine is Chair of Governors at Ysgol Sant Dunawd in Bangor-on-Dee. Catherine has a Masters Degree in Business Administration (MBA) and is a Chartered Secretary & Administrator (ACIS).
Catherine is Chief Executive of Muir Group Housing Association based in Chester. Catherine previously worked at GreenSquare as Executive Director (Organisational Development & Corporate Services) in Wiltshire and prior to that as Director of Business Support with Synergy Housing based in Dorset. Catherine has many years’ experience in housing and working for a local authority in education, social services and the fire & rescue service. Catherine is Chair of Governors at Ysgol Sant Dunawd in Bangor-on-Dee. Catherine has a Masters Degree in Business Administration (MBA) and is a Chartered Secretary & Administrator (ACIS).
Joined: December 2016
Ian is a partner with Brabners LLP and specialises in advising the social housing sector and other clients on housing management, property and commercial disputes and litigation, employment related litigation and judicial review and human rights cases. He is a qualified mediator and member of CIH and the Property Litigation Association.
Ian is a partner with Brabners LLP and specialises in advising the social housing sector and other clients on housing management, property and commercial disputes and litigation, employment related litigation and judicial review and human rights cases. He is a qualified mediator and member of CIH and the Property Litigation Association.
Group Board
Joined: January 2020
Catherine is Chief Executive of Muir Group Housing Association based in Chester. Catherine previously worked at GreenSquare as Executive Director (Organisational Development & Corporate Services) in Wiltshire and prior to that as Director of Business Support with Synergy Housing based in Dorset. Catherine has many years’ experience in housing and working for a local authority in education, social services and the fire & rescue service. Catherine is Chair of Governors at Ysgol Sant Dunawd in Bangor-on-Dee. Catherine has a Masters Degree in Business Administration (MBA) and is a Chartered Secretary & Administrator (ACIS).
Catherine is Chief Executive of Muir Group Housing Association based in Chester. Catherine previously worked at GreenSquare as Executive Director (Organisational Development & Corporate Services) in Wiltshire and prior to that as Director of Business Support with Synergy Housing based in Dorset. Catherine has many years’ experience in housing and working for a local authority in education, social services and the fire & rescue service. Catherine is Chair of Governors at Ysgol Sant Dunawd in Bangor-on-Dee. Catherine has a Masters Degree in Business Administration (MBA) and is a Chartered Secretary & Administrator (ACIS).
Joined: December 2016
Ian is a partner with Brabners LLP and specialises in advising the social housing sector and other clients on housing management, property and commercial disputes and litigation, employment related litigation and judicial review and human rights cases. He is a qualified mediator and member of CIH and the Property Litigation Association.
Ian is a partner with Brabners LLP and specialises in advising the social housing sector and other clients on housing management, property and commercial disputes and litigation, employment related litigation and judicial review and human rights cases. He is a qualified mediator and member of CIH and the Property Litigation Association.
Joined: May 2019
Sian is a member of the Senior Leadership Team in Aura Leisure and Libraries Ltd, an Employee Owned Community Benefit Society which operates these services within Flintshire. Sian has a BSc and MSc in her field and within her role as Leisure Development Manager has the responsibility for all Leisure services, sports and community development. She has company responsibility for the HR function within the organisation, responsible for the SLA for the buyback of HR services. She has experience in Local Government and Social Enterprise and is a school governor. She has over 15 years in management / senior leadership roles. Sian has a passion for delivering fantastic community services and a particular interest in developing people, training to become a qualified NLP practitioner last year. She volunteers as a mentor for the WISH network and enjoys supporting women in their roles to be the very best they can be.
Sian is a member of the Senior Leadership Team in Aura Leisure and Libraries Ltd, an Employee Owned Community Benefit Society which operates these services within Flintshire. Sian has a BSc and MSc in her field and within her role as Leisure Development Manager has the responsibility for all Leisure services, sports and community development. She has company responsibility for the HR function within the organisation, responsible for the SLA for the buyback of HR services. She has experience in Local Government and Social Enterprise and is a school governor. She has over 15 years in management / senior leadership roles. Sian has a passion for delivering fantastic community services and a particular interest in developing people, training to become a qualified NLP practitioner last year. She volunteers as a mentor for the WISH network and enjoys supporting women in their roles to be the very best they can be.
Joined: January 2018
Dylan is currently Head of Financial Accounting at Bangor University and has a wide range of financial and management accounting skills. He also has extensive external and internal audit management experience along with practical experience of complying with regulatory systems and governance having previously worked at PricewaterhouseCoopers and WaterfordWedgwood. Dylan trained with District Audit in North Wales and is a fluent Welsh speaker. Dylan has a degree in European Finance and Accounting and is a member of the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy.
Dylan is currently Head of Financial Accounting at Bangor University and has a wide range of financial and management accounting skills. He also has extensive external and internal audit management experience along with practical experience of complying with regulatory systems and governance having previously worked at PricewaterhouseCoopers and WaterfordWedgwood. Dylan trained with District Audit in North Wales and is a fluent Welsh speaker. Dylan has a degree in European Finance and Accounting and is a member of the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy.
Tal, also a fluent Welsh speaker, has had a varied career and is currently the Chief Executive of Gwynedd Citizens Advice. In this role he is responsible for management of all staff and services; developing, implementing, and monitoring business plans; and advising the governing body on financial, staffing and service delivery issues. He has chaired multi-agency working groups in Gwynedd on welfare reform and improving digital access. Tal served for four years as one of the two (of 19) Chief Executives in Wales on Citizens Advice’s Cymru Committee, as a member of England & Wales Local Government Task Force and liaison group on operational issues and as Secretary of North Wales advice partnership.
Prior to this, Tal was the Chief Executive of the North Wales Police Authority acting as the Principal Adviser and Monitoring Officer to the Police Authority, which was responsible for appointing chief officers, setting strategic objectives and holding the chief officers to account. He managed a small secretariat (seven in total) and led personally on communications - with the media and with key stakeholders including MPs, Welsh Assembly Members and the six local authorities.
Tal has held a number of positions in local government, which include Strategic Director Policy, Partnerships and Governance at Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council, Assistant Chief Executive Policy & Communications at London Borough of Hackney, and Head of Corporate Policy at London Borough of Barnet. He has also been a researcher at the House of Commons and was a candidate in the 2013 Ynys Môn by-election for the then National Assembly for Wales.
After training as a Quantity Surveyor and a brief time working in this profession in North Wales, Neill joined North Wales Police in 1992 and served in the ranks of PC through to Assistant Chief Constable in many different departments as well as holding senior strategic, operational and governance roles until his retirement in February 2022.
After linking in with others undertaking charity and trustee type activities, he was asked to undertake some strategic consultancy and governance work for a local housing charity that supports elderly individuals in need. Over a period of 10 months working as a consultant, Neill introduced and implemented updated governance and policy practices for the charity in line with appropriate national guidance. In addition, he volunteered as the safeguarding officer for the charity to assist in an area that was presenting risk and lacking in direction and professional experience. This safeguarding role provided Neill with a fresh perspective on the needs of some individuals within the social housing sector. At the beginning of 2023 following a request from the Governors of the charity/Company Directors, Neill took over the direct running of the Goodman and Ruthin charity to continue and expand upon the work he had started a few months earlier. Neill continues in a part-time role as the company secretary/clerk/general manager. He also volunteers for the local community council and undertakes work in the community to improve the environment.
Joined: September 2020
Sarah is the Head of Consultancy for Pennington Choices, providing strategic support to organisations across a range of sectors across the UK. Sarah previously worked at Muir Housing Group as Assistant Director of Business Support and Head of Strategic Change for Cheshire Police and Fire. Sarah has many years experience across the public and not-for-profit sectors leading complex and large-scale digital and organisational change programmes. Sarah spent eight years with the Audit Commission as a Corporate Assessment Inspector and Performance Specialist, as well as time with the HMIC and Cabinet Office as a Gateway Assurance Reviewer for major government projects. Sarah is the Vice Chair of the Women in Social Housing (NW) Network and a member of the Institute of Risk Management. She has a Masters Degree in Business Administration (MBA) and a Joint Honours Degree.
Sarah is the Head of Consultancy for Pennington Choices, providing strategic support to organisations across a range of sectors across the UK. Sarah previously worked at Muir Housing Group as Assistant Director of Business Support and Head of Strategic Change for Cheshire Police and Fire. Sarah has many years experience across the public and not-for-profit sectors leading complex and large-scale digital and organisational change programmes. Sarah spent eight years with the Audit Commission as a Corporate Assessment Inspector and Performance Specialist, as well as time with the HMIC and Cabinet Office as a Gateway Assurance Reviewer for major government projects. Sarah is the Vice Chair of the Women in Social Housing (NW) Network and a member of the Institute of Risk Management. She has a Masters Degree in Business Administration (MBA) and a Joint Honours Degree.
Joined: September 2020
Derwyn is a Chartered Architect and works as the Corporate Landlord at Walsall Metropolitan Borough Council and specialises in the Estate Management and Development within the Public Estate. He has a wide range of experience in both the Private and Public sectors having previously worked as Head of Property Management and Asset Services at Conwy Council and Director of Property and Campus Services at Bangor University.
Derwyn is a Chartered Architect and works as the Corporate Landlord at Walsall Metropolitan Borough Council and specialises in the Estate Management and Development within the Public Estate. He has a wide range of experience in both the Private and Public sectors having previously worked as Head of Property Management and Asset Services at Conwy Council and Director of Property and Campus Services at Bangor University.
Residents' Panel
Joined: May 2019
Sian is a member of the Senior Leadership Team in Aura Leisure and Libraries Ltd, an Employee Owned Community Benefit Society which operates these services within Flintshire. Sian has a BSc and MSc in her field and within her role as Leisure Development Manager has the responsibility for all Leisure services, sports and community development. She has company responsibility for the HR function within the organisation, responsible for the SLA for the buyback of HR services. She has experience in Local Government and Social Enterprise and is a school governor. She has over 15 years in management / senior leadership roles. Sian has a passion for delivering fantastic community services and a particular interest in developing people, training to become a qualified NLP practitioner last year. She volunteers as a mentor for the WISH network and enjoys supporting women in their roles to be the very best they can be.
Sian is a member of the Senior Leadership Team in Aura Leisure and Libraries Ltd, an Employee Owned Community Benefit Society which operates these services within Flintshire. Sian has a BSc and MSc in her field and within her role as Leisure Development Manager has the responsibility for all Leisure services, sports and community development. She has company responsibility for the HR function within the organisation, responsible for the SLA for the buyback of HR services. She has experience in Local Government and Social Enterprise and is a school governor. She has over 15 years in management / senior leadership roles. Sian has a passion for delivering fantastic community services and a particular interest in developing people, training to become a qualified NLP practitioner last year. She volunteers as a mentor for the WISH network and enjoys supporting women in their roles to be the very best they can be.
Domus Cambria
Joined: September 2020
Sarah is the Head of Consultancy for Pennington Choices, providing strategic support to organisations across a range of sectors across the UK. Sarah previously worked at Muir Housing Group as Assistant Director of Business Support and Head of Strategic Change for Cheshire Police and Fire. Sarah has many years experience across the public and not-for-profit sectors leading complex and large-scale digital and organisational change programmes. Sarah spent eight years with the Audit Commission as a Corporate Assessment Inspector and Performance Specialist, as well as time with the HMIC and Cabinet Office as a Gateway Assurance Reviewer for major government projects. Sarah is the Vice Chair of the Women in Social Housing (NW) Network and a member of the Institute of Risk Management. She has a Masters Degree in Business Administration (MBA) and a Joint Honours Degree.
Sarah is the Head of Consultancy for Pennington Choices, providing strategic support to organisations across a range of sectors across the UK. Sarah previously worked at Muir Housing Group as Assistant Director of Business Support and Head of Strategic Change for Cheshire Police and Fire. Sarah has many years experience across the public and not-for-profit sectors leading complex and large-scale digital and organisational change programmes. Sarah spent eight years with the Audit Commission as a Corporate Assessment Inspector and Performance Specialist, as well as time with the HMIC and Cabinet Office as a Gateway Assurance Reviewer for major government projects. Sarah is the Vice Chair of the Women in Social Housing (NW) Network and a member of the Institute of Risk Management. She has a Masters Degree in Business Administration (MBA) and a Joint Honours Degree.
Joined: January 2018
Dylan is currently Head of Financial Accounting at Bangor University and has a wide range of financial and management accounting skills. He also has extensive external and internal audit management experience along with practical experience of complying with regulatory systems and governance having previously worked at PricewaterhouseCoopers and WaterfordWedgwood. Dylan trained with District Audit in North Wales and is a fluent Welsh speaker. Dylan has a degree in European Finance and Accounting and is a member of the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy.
Dylan is currently Head of Financial Accounting at Bangor University and has a wide range of financial and management accounting skills. He also has extensive external and internal audit management experience along with practical experience of complying with regulatory systems and governance having previously worked at PricewaterhouseCoopers and WaterfordWedgwood. Dylan trained with District Audit in North Wales and is a fluent Welsh speaker. Dylan has a degree in European Finance and Accounting and is a member of the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy.
Joined: December 2016
Ian is a partner with Brabners LLP and specialises in advising the social housing sector and other clients on housing management, property and commercial disputes and litigation, employment related litigation and judicial review and human rights cases. He is a qualified mediator and member of CIH and the Property Litigation Association.
Ian is a partner with Brabners LLP and specialises in advising the social housing sector and other clients on housing management, property and commercial disputes and litigation, employment related litigation and judicial review and human rights cases. He is a qualified mediator and member of CIH and the Property Litigation Association.
Audit and Risk Committee
Joined: January 2018
Dylan is currently Head of Financial Accounting at Bangor University and has a wide range of financial and management accounting skills. He also has extensive external and internal audit management experience along with practical experience of complying with regulatory systems and governance having previously worked at PricewaterhouseCoopers and WaterfordWedgwood. Dylan trained with District Audit in North Wales and is a fluent Welsh speaker. Dylan has a degree in European Finance and Accounting and is a member of the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy.
Dylan is currently Head of Financial Accounting at Bangor University and has a wide range of financial and management accounting skills. He also has extensive external and internal audit management experience along with practical experience of complying with regulatory systems and governance having previously worked at PricewaterhouseCoopers and WaterfordWedgwood. Dylan trained with District Audit in North Wales and is a fluent Welsh speaker. Dylan has a degree in European Finance and Accounting and is a member of the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy.
Joined: September 2020
Sarah is the Head of Consultancy for Pennington Choices, providing strategic support to organisations across a range of sectors across the UK. Sarah previously worked at Muir Housing Group as Assistant Director of Business Support and Head of Strategic Change for Cheshire Police and Fire. Sarah has many years experience across the public and not-for-profit sectors leading complex and large-scale digital and organisational change programmes. Sarah spent eight years with the Audit Commission as a Corporate Assessment Inspector and Performance Specialist, as well as time with the HMIC and Cabinet Office as a Gateway Assurance Reviewer for major government projects. Sarah is the Vice Chair of the Women in Social Housing (NW) Network and a member of the Institute of Risk Management. She has a Masters Degree in Business Administration (MBA) and a Joint Honours Degree.
Sarah is the Head of Consultancy for Pennington Choices, providing strategic support to organisations across a range of sectors across the UK. Sarah previously worked at Muir Housing Group as Assistant Director of Business Support and Head of Strategic Change for Cheshire Police and Fire. Sarah has many years experience across the public and not-for-profit sectors leading complex and large-scale digital and organisational change programmes. Sarah spent eight years with the Audit Commission as a Corporate Assessment Inspector and Performance Specialist, as well as time with the HMIC and Cabinet Office as a Gateway Assurance Reviewer for major government projects. Sarah is the Vice Chair of the Women in Social Housing (NW) Network and a member of the Institute of Risk Management. She has a Masters Degree in Business Administration (MBA) and a Joint Honours Degree.
Joined: September 2020
Derwyn is a Chartered Architect and works as the Corporate Landlord at Walsall Metropolitan Borough Council and specialises in the Estate Management and Development within the Public Estate. He has a wide range of experience in both the Private and Public sectors having previously worked as Head of Property Management and Asset Services at Conwy Council and Director of Property and Campus Services at Bangor University.
Derwyn is a Chartered Architect and works as the Corporate Landlord at Walsall Metropolitan Borough Council and specialises in the Estate Management and Development within the Public Estate. He has a wide range of experience in both the Private and Public sectors having previously worked as Head of Property Management and Asset Services at Conwy Council and Director of Property and Campus Services at Bangor University.
Tal, also a fluent Welsh speaker, has had a varied career and is currently the Chief Executive of Gwynedd Citizens Advice. In this role he is responsible for management of all staff and services; developing, implementing, and monitoring business plans; and advising the governing body on financial, staffing and service delivery issues. He has chaired multi-agency working groups in Gwynedd on welfare reform and improving digital access. Tal served for four years as one of the two (of 19) Chief Executives in Wales on Citizens Advice’s Cymru Committee, as a member of England & Wales Local Government Task Force and liaison group on operational issues and as Secretary of North Wales advice partnership.
Prior to this, Tal was the Chief Executive of the North Wales Police Authority acting as the Principal Adviser and Monitoring Officer to the Police Authority, which was responsible for appointing chief officers, setting strategic objectives and holding the chief officers to account. He managed a small secretariat (seven in total) and led personally on communications - with the media and with key stakeholders including MPs, Welsh Assembly Members and the six local authorities.
Tal has held a number of positions in local government, which include Strategic Director Policy, Partnerships and Governance at Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council, Assistant Chief Executive Policy & Communications at London Borough of Hackney, and Head of Corporate Policy at London Borough of Barnet. He has also been a researcher at the House of Commons and was a candidate in the 2013 Ynys Môn by-election for the then National Assembly for Wales.
After training as a Quantity Surveyor and a brief time working in this profession in North Wales, Neill joined North Wales Police in 1992 and served in the ranks of PC through to Assistant Chief Constable in many different departments as well as holding senior strategic, operational and governance roles until his retirement in February 2022.
After linking in with others undertaking charity and trustee type activities, he was asked to undertake some strategic consultancy and governance work for a local housing charity that supports elderly individuals in need. Over a period of 10 months working as a consultant, Neill introduced and implemented updated governance and policy practices for the charity in line with appropriate national guidance. In addition, he volunteered as the safeguarding officer for the charity to assist in an area that was presenting risk and lacking in direction and professional experience. This safeguarding role provided Neill with a fresh perspective on the needs of some individuals within the social housing sector. At the beginning of 2023 following a request from the Governors of the charity/Company Directors, Neill took over the direct running of the Goodman and Ruthin charity to continue and expand upon the work he had started a few months earlier. Neill continues in a part-time role as the company secretary/clerk/general manager. He also volunteers for the local community council and undertakes work in the community to improve the environment.
