Meet the Management Team
Put a face to a name and find out more about the members of our Management Team
Helena Kirk - Chief Executive
Helena Kirk joined North Wales Housing as Chief Executive in October 2016. Helena has worked in the housing sector since 1982, gaining extensive experience working for local authorities and both traditional and stock transfer RSLs. Her roles started with front line customer service and have included three previous Director positions in Birmingham, Coventry and Hereford. Prior to joining North Wales Housing she was a member of the Executive team at Shoreline Housing Partnership in Lincolnshire for 6 years. She joined Shoreline Housing Partnership in 2010 returning to a role with direct responsibility for customer services from 7 years working in housing consultancy. She is a member of the Chartered Institute of Housing and has a Master’s degree in Business Administration.
Helena Kirk joined North Wales Housing as Chief Executive in October 2016. Helena has worked in the housing sector since 1982, gaining extensive experience working for local authorities and both traditional and stock transfer RSLs. Her roles started with front line customer service and have included three previous Director positions in Birmingham, Coventry and Hereford. Prior to joining North Wales Housing she was a member of the Executive team at Shoreline Housing Partnership in Lincolnshire for 6 years. She joined Shoreline Housing Partnership in 2010 returning to a role with direct responsibility for customer services from 7 years working in housing consultancy. She is a member of the Chartered Institute of Housing and has a Master’s degree in Business Administration.
Jayne Owen - Finance and Resources Director
Jayne is a qualified accountant (CIPFA) with 30 years public sector experience, 5 years as Treasurer/ Director of Finance and prior to taking up this role Jayne undertook the role of Director of Finance (Police and Crime) for the Greater Manchester Combined Authority. This and previous roles involve significant complexity, with accountability for multi-million budgets and advising on the deployment of these resources. Areas of expertise include treasury management, financial planning, audit, procurement, commissioning, value for money, organisational transformation and effective governance. Prior to taking up this role Jayne worked as Treasurer for the Greater Manchester Police and Crime Commissioner and prior to that various roles for Trafford Council, she offers a breadth of experience that goes beyond her financial expertise in particular, public service reform, partnership working, estates strategy and performance management. Jayne’s career has been rooted in the public sector, caring deeply for the role of the public, voluntary, social enterprise sector in society.
Jayne is a qualified accountant (CIPFA) with 30 years public sector experience, 5 years as Treasurer/ Director of Finance and prior to taking up this role Jayne undertook the role of Director of Finance (Police and Crime) for the Greater Manchester Combined Authority. This and previous roles involve significant complexity, with accountability for multi-million budgets and advising on the deployment of these resources. Areas of expertise include treasury management, financial planning, audit, procurement, commissioning, value for money, organisational transformation and effective governance. Prior to taking up this role Jayne worked as Treasurer for the Greater Manchester Police and Crime Commissioner and prior to that various roles for Trafford Council, she offers a breadth of experience that goes beyond her financial expertise in particular, public service reform, partnership working, estates strategy and performance management. Jayne’s career has been rooted in the public sector, caring deeply for the role of the public, voluntary, social enterprise sector in society.
Ruth Lanham-Wright - Assistant Director Homes
Ruth Lanham-Wright has worked in housing for 19 years, 18½ of which have been with North Wales Housing Association. She has worked in a wide variety of roles in various departments, but mostly managing the Finance and Incomes teams. Ruth is now working as the Assistant Director Homes, managing the repairs, assets and compliance functions. She is a student member of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants and is in the final stages of qualifying as an accountant. She has a first class honours degree in applied accountancy with her specialist field being the financial and operational impact of welfare reforms. More recently she completed a qualification with Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors and has an ILM level 5 qualification in leadership and management. Ruth has a particular interest in service improvement.
Ruth Lanham-Wright has worked in housing for 19 years, 18½ of which have been with North Wales Housing Association. She has worked in a wide variety of roles in various departments, but mostly managing the Finance and Incomes teams. Ruth is now working as the Assistant Director Homes, managing the repairs, assets and compliance functions. She is a student member of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants and is in the final stages of qualifying as an accountant. She has a first class honours degree in applied accountancy with her specialist field being the financial and operational impact of welfare reforms. More recently she completed a qualification with Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors and has an ILM level 5 qualification in leadership and management. Ruth has a particular interest in service improvement.
Allan Eveleigh - Assistant Director of Communities
Allan joined NWHA in August 2020 as our Assistant Director of Communities, and brings 15 years of housing management experience to the role. Allan has worked in small, medium and large sized organisations and has successfully led teams through periods of significant change following mergers and restructures. Allan has a broad range of experience across all housing management functions, with particular specialisms in Allocations and Neighbourhood Management. With a track record of delivering positive performance through a focus on culture and values based leadership, Allan’s leadership style fits well with the ethos of NWHA. Putting customers at the heart of his thinking, Allan recognises the importance of the work done by NWHA and will lead and support colleagues to deliver joined up services that will have positive impacts in our communities.
Allan joined NWHA in August 2020 as our Assistant Director of Communities, and brings 15 years of housing management experience to the role. Allan has worked in small, medium and large sized organisations and has successfully led teams through periods of significant change following mergers and restructures. Allan has a broad range of experience across all housing management functions, with particular specialisms in Allocations and Neighbourhood Management. With a track record of delivering positive performance through a focus on culture and values based leadership, Allan’s leadership style fits well with the ethos of NWHA. Putting customers at the heart of his thinking, Allan recognises the importance of the work done by NWHA and will lead and support colleagues to deliver joined up services that will have positive impacts in our communities.
Emma Williams - Assistant Director Finance
Emma joined North Wales Housing in 2010 as the Head of Finance, which then evolved into the Assistant Director Finance role. Emma is a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England Wales after obtaining her qualification in November 2003. Prior to NWH, Emma worked in various accountancy practices in North Wales and Chester. She heads up the finance department which includes both the rents and the finance teams. After growing up and living her whole life in North Wales, she is passionate about our communities and the Welsh language. Emma is a fluent Welsh speaker and is Chair of our Charity panel that has raised around £30,000 for various local charities over the last 7 years.
Emma joined North Wales Housing in 2010 as the Head of Finance, which then evolved into the Assistant Director Finance role. Emma is a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England Wales after obtaining her qualification in November 2003. Prior to NWH, Emma worked in various accountancy practices in North Wales and Chester. She heads up the finance department which includes both the rents and the finance teams. After growing up and living her whole life in North Wales, she is passionate about our communities and the Welsh language. Emma is a fluent Welsh speaker and is Chair of our Charity panel that has raised around £30,000 for various local charities over the last 7 years.
Claire Shiland - Operations Director
Claire joined North Wales Housing as Operations Director in September 2022. Claire has worked in the housing sector in North Wales for the majority of her career, starting in front line supported housing services and holding a range of roles giving her strategic experience across a key areas including Supported Housing, Older Persons Housing, Housing Management, Repairs and Maintenance Services and Customer Services. In addition to her experience within the housing sector, Claire was appointed through the National Direct Entry Inspector programme as an Inspector in North Wales Police, a post she held for almost three years gaining various qualifications enabling her to operate as a qualified Inspector. Claire has a degree in Social Policy and a Post Graduate Diploma in Housing and Neighbourhood Management. Claire is a Chartered Member of the Chartered Institute of Housing, and holds Board Member roles of the Chartered Institute of Housing in Wales and Care and Repair Agency in Conwy and Denbighshire. Claire is a Welsh speaker, having learn Welsh as a second language though her education and employment.
Claire joined North Wales Housing as Operations Director in September 2022. Claire has worked in the housing sector in North Wales for the majority of her career, starting in front line supported housing services and holding a range of roles giving her strategic experience across a key areas including Supported Housing, Older Persons Housing, Housing Management, Repairs and Maintenance Services and Customer Services. In addition to her experience within the housing sector, Claire was appointed through the National Direct Entry Inspector programme as an Inspector in North Wales Police, a post she held for almost three years gaining various qualifications enabling her to operate as a qualified Inspector. Claire has a degree in Social Policy and a Post Graduate Diploma in Housing and Neighbourhood Management. Claire is a Chartered Member of the Chartered Institute of Housing, and holds Board Member roles of the Chartered Institute of Housing in Wales and Care and Repair Agency in Conwy and Denbighshire. Claire is a Welsh speaker, having learn Welsh as a second language though her education and employment.
Lauren Eaton-Jones - Assistant Director Commercial
Lauren joined North Wales Housing Association in June 2021 as our Assistant Director of Commercial. Lauren has worked in Development for 20 years with the first 17 years being in the public sector, working for Flintshire County Council. Lauren’s background is in Town Planning and she has worked in several roles at Flintshire CC, gaining invaluable experience across a broad range of developments. This development experience covers residential, retail, industrial, renewable energies and heritage assets. More recently Lauren has worked in the private sector as a Planning Consultant for a multi-disciplinary consultancy firm. A large portion of her clients have been RSLs who are building affordable schemes throughout North Wales and it is this experience that has encouraged her to move into the housing sector and focus on what she enjoys most. Lauren has a Masters degree in Environmental Planning.
Lauren joined North Wales Housing Association in June 2021 as our Assistant Director of Commercial. Lauren has worked in Development for 20 years with the first 17 years being in the public sector, working for Flintshire County Council. Lauren’s background is in Town Planning and she has worked in several roles at Flintshire CC, gaining invaluable experience across a broad range of developments. This development experience covers residential, retail, industrial, renewable energies and heritage assets. More recently Lauren has worked in the private sector as a Planning Consultant for a multi-disciplinary consultancy firm. A large portion of her clients have been RSLs who are building affordable schemes throughout North Wales and it is this experience that has encouraged her to move into the housing sector and focus on what she enjoys most. Lauren has a Masters degree in Environmental Planning.
