WHITE HORSE HOUSING ASSOCIATION - Key Persons
building and managing homes in villages throughout Wiltshire, Swindon and surrounding areas
Brian has spent 31 years working in finance in several countries across a range of industries. During that period he has served as Company Secretary, Finance Manager, Investment Analyst and Finance Director for one of the world's wealthiest family offices. Today he owns and runs a small Typesetting business with production facilities based in Chandigarh India.
Born in South Africa, Brian has lived and worked in the UK before moving to the South of France where he spent 11 years. Upon his return to the UK in 2013 Brian settled in the small village of Kilmersdon with his wife and two children. Since then he has been involved in the local community serving as Chairman of the Gurney Slade Scouts Association, Parish Councillor and current Governor at Kilmersdon Primary School.
David has worked as a consultant since 2015 and before that had worked in the voluntary and housing sector for over 30 years. Roles have included working for a resident's association in an inner city priority core area and for a specialist BME housing providers for the Orthodox Jewish community. David has previously been a local authority high rise tenant, has an MBA, a leadership certificate as part of the Academy for Sustainable Communities 'raising your game' programme and is a member of the Chartered Institute of Housing.
A keen sports enthusiast, David has been involved in local football for the past 20 years, completing two coaching badges and has managed and coached teams in a variety of standards including women's football in London and Dorset.
David Trethewey joined the Board in 2017. He was Vice-Chair of the Board from 2019 to 2022 and elected Chair in September 2022. He has been involved within the housing sector for over 30 years in a variety of roles including Head of Housing and Supported Living at Bath & North East Somerset Council, Director of Strategy & Local Government at the South West LGA and Project Director for the Local Area Agreement at Walsall Council.
David is currently the Divisional Director - Strategy & Performance at Bath & North East Somerset Council leading on Corporate Strategy, Community engagement, Communications and marketing, Human resources and Organisational Development, public sector partnership and reform and devolution.
Helen has been a member of the Board since October 2013. She was Vice-Chair of the Board from 2014-19 and Chair from 2019-22. She also serves on the Remuneration and Governance Committee. Helen and her family moved to Wiltshire in 2003 and quickly realised what a special county Wiltshire is. Joining WHHA has enabled Helen to combine the use of her professional skills and background with a passion for rural life and the unique communities it creates.
Helen's background is in Human Resources. She is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development and has worked in this area for over 25 years, both in the public and private sectors. Helen is currently HR Director at TLT Solicitors. She has previously worked for Vodafone, KPMG, the Nationwide Building Society, the Health Service and Essex County Council.
Nationally Helen is known for her work in the values and diversity and inclusion areas, particularly championing employment for younger people, progression of women and employment of the older generation.
Job Titles:
- Chartered Accountant
- Member of the Board
- Chairman of Audit & Risk
Jon joined the Board during 2019 and is Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee. Jon is a Chartered Accountant and an audit partner at KPMG LLP. He has worked at KPMG since 1997 and has a number of housing associations as clients. He is also Vice Chair of the West of England Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW).
Jon works with clients across the public sector in education, health and local government. He also completed a secondment to South Western Ambulance NHS FT as their acting Director of Finance. He lives in Wells and has twin daughters.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board
- Vice Chair of the Board
Steve Warran is the Chief Executive of White Horse Housing Association and joined the Association in July 2014.
Steve has worked in housing for over 25 years. He has knowledge and experience of both the housing association and local authority sectors. Over the past 12 years he has held a number of senior management positions including Head of Housing for Penwith Housing Association in Cornwall, Head of Housing Services at Exeter City Council and Head of Home Improvement for Aster Living. He is passionate about the provision of affordable housing in rural communities and the need to continually strive to make a difference to people's lives.
Ann Norvill joined the Association as Housing Officer on the 2nd November 2020.
Ann has many years experience working in social housing with Local Authority and Housing Associations. Her experience has been in lettings, rent teams and generic housing management as well as IT software implementation. She has a BA(hons) in housing policy and management and is a member of the Chartered Institute of Housing.
Ann also spent a few years working for a housing management software company.
She has returned to housing as she feels her experience can make a difference to individuals and communities and is keen to work with White Horse Housing Association in the rural environment.
Belinda Eastland is Operations Director at White Horse Housing Association and joined the Association in 2009.
Belinda has been working within the affordable housing sector for many years and has knowledge and experience in housing law, housing management, homelessness, lettings, housing development and tenant involvement. Belinda has an MSc in Housing Studies and is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Housing. Belinda was Housing Options Manager for a local authority for 8 years prior to joining the Association. Belinda believes that a decent home is the foundation upon which people can build all other aspects of their lives including security, good health and happiness.
Dawn Bowker is the Office Manager of White Horse Housing Association and joined the Association in September 2001.
Dawn started at the Association on a part-time basis as a Clerical Assistant. She now works full time as Office Manager. Her main duties are to maintain strong financial support to the Finance Director & Housing Managers and has achieved a Level 3 Diploma in Accounting & Advanced Book-keeping. Her role also involves using her creative side to produce all of the Association's publications including managing the Association's website.
Sarah Occleshaw joined White Horse Housing as a Housing Apprentice. Previously Sarah worked in the Care industry but has decided to change her career.
Sarah is studying for the Level 2 Certificate in Housing Management and hopes this will help to launch her new career within the housing sector.
In March 2021 Sarah was made a permanent member of the team as Housing Assistant.
Job Titles:
- Customer Services Advisor
- Customer Support Advisor
building and managing homes in villages throughout Wiltshire, Swindon and surrounding areas
Julie Haycock joined the Association on the 4th January 2023.
Julie has over 11 years customer service experience in a number of companies including in the housing sector. Julie also worked for a charity supporting those with dyslexia.
Julie will use the skills she has gained over the years in her role as Customer Service Advisor for White Horse Housing and looks forward to working with our residents.
Richard Kitson has been a member of the Board since 1991 and was the Chair between 2009 and 2014. He also serves on the Audit and Risk Committee.
Richard Kitson mentors and coaches senior executives and works with a variety of clients advising them on their business strategies and other matters. He is also a board member of Wiltshire Community Land Trust and of Artichoke, a public arts events company.
Richard Kitson has been involved in affordable housing for over forty years and until his retirement was Chief Executive of the Aster Group which is a major provider of affordable homes and care services in central southern and south west England. He had previously held Director level appointments for The Guinness Trust, Bath City Council and Test Valley Borough Council. He was also Chairman for five years of South West Housing Initiative, a partnership of business, trade unions and the professions.
He is a Fellow and former President of the Chartered Institute of Housing.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board
- Chairman of Remuneration & Governance