SQUARE BUILDING TRUST - Key Persons
Bill has over 30 years in housing management, including 14 years as Borough Housing Officer for Blyth Valley Borough Council. He has been both Secretary and Chairman of Northern Counties, Chartered Institute of Housing and is an Honorary Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Housing. Chair from 2001 to 2021, his specific areas of interest include housing management, tenant involvement and development.
Claire has been a primary school teacher for 30 years. She has taught in both the east end and west end of Newcastle and worked with children and families from a variety of backgrounds. She currently job shares, allowing more time for family and involvement with St Columba's church and the Square Building Trust. Claire has attended the church for over 45 years and has been a member for 35 years. She is an ordained elder and feels privileged to play a small part in continuing the work started by church members over 80 years ago. Claire is particularly interested in tenant involvement and the work the Trust is doing with supported housing.
David is a graphic artist with 40 years post-graduate experience and a background in commercial design and advertising. He also has additional qualifications in cartography, surveying and planning. With a strong ethical commitment to the aims of the Trust he has applied his professional skills to develop the Trust's branding and communications strategy. Responsible for creating a wide variety of promotional material, most notably displays for the 80th and 90th anniversary commemorations held in 2009 and 2019.
Job Titles:
- Member since 2014
- Retired Local Government Officer
Deborah is a retired Local Government Officer. She worked for North Tyneside Council for over 38 years in areas including regeneration, external funding and housing. Her final senior managerial post included responsibility for the development and delivery of the borough's overall housing strategy, preventing homelessness and increasing the supply of affordable homes. Areas of interest include ensuring the Trust's homes meet the demands of those in the highest need, whether through new-build, acquisition or conversion. Deborah is keen to have an efficient, effective long-term business plan which achieves value-for-money and is responsive to residents' changing requirements.
John worked for many years in the Housing Department at North Tyneside Council until he retired in 2014. He is currently one of the longest serving members of the committee bringing continuity and experience to the team. In his vital role as Secretary he produces the minutes at Trust meetings and is responsible for ensuring the administrative and corporate business of the Trust is run smoothly and efficiently.
Keith spent his working life in various departments and agencies within the Civil Service. His final 24 years were spent working on IT projects for the Information Technology Services Agency, the Contributions Agency and Inland Revenue.
Having also spent a total of 22 years as church treasurer for St Columba's URC, he brings valuable experience to the committee.
Kris has spent over 25 years working in communications, PR and marketing, in the arts, economic development, local government and the NHS as well as working freelance and in the private sector. She also has experience in public consultation and research.
Kris's interests lie in the Trust's role of providing specialist housing and with tenant involvement, as well as in the history and development of the Trust over its lifetime - helping ensure that the founding principles of provision of high quality homes for those in need remain at the core of its work.
Job Titles:
- Honorary President
- Member of the Committee
A lifelong member and ordained elder at St Columba's church, Margaret joined the Square Building Trust on her 21st birthday in 1949 and served as a committee member for 66 years. She officially withdrew from committee duties and retired from the role of Vice Chair at the Annual General Meeting in 2015 but continued to take a strong interest in the ongoing work of the Trust. It was unanimously agreed by the committee of members that Margaret 's dedication and service should be recognised by her election to the position of Honorary President; a position she held until she passed away peacefully in November 2017.
Paul is a partner with Henry Riley, a national cost consultancy and project management company, involved in construction and development in North East England for over 30 years. He has a reputation for bringing a straightforward approach to the development process and being able to steer complicated multi-faceted schemes to successful completion.
Job Titles:
- Chairman
- Retired Chartered Civil Engineer and Local Government Chief Officer
Elected Chair at the September 2021 AGM, Peter is a retired Chartered Civil Engineer and Local Government Chief Officer. He is a Past President of North Shields Rotary Club, a Trust Director of the Northern Synod, URC, an Elder of St. Columba's URC and works with North Tyneside YMCA developing accommodation for young people. Peter's interests lie in supported housing. Negotiations with Henshaws, North Tyneside Council and Stonham have lead to the Trust providing homes for a number of young people, with visual impairment, physical and learning disabilities.
The Reverend Trevor Jamison has been the Minister of St Columba's United Reformed Church in Northumberland Square since June 2018. Previously, he ministered with churches in Liverpool and Essex, and worked as an adult education officer with congregations across the North East of England. Immediately prior to coming to St Columba's, Trevor was chaplain for the growing, faith-based, environmental movement, Eco-Congregation Scotland. He is committed to faith communities making a positive contribution to people's lives in today's world, including through appropriately maintaining and developing the relationship between Saint Columba's and the Square Building Trust.