AMAT - Key Persons
Alex currently volunteers in our café, he is a former Resident of ours who lived with us for a while and has now moved on to his own accommodation . He is keen to learn how AMAT works and be able to guide and influence the direction of the Charity. His lived experience is so important, the perspective and understanding he has of the service is going to be unique and different to the rest of the Board.
Following a move from London to Kent, Becky began searching for a role closer to home which resulted in a part time HR admin assistant role at AMAT UK.
Within months of working at AMAT UK, Becky was given the opportunity to train in HR and completed a CIPD Level 3 Certificate in HR Practice in order to fulfil the position of HR Coordinator, later promoted to HR Manager. Throughout the last decade, Becky has continued her professional development, and is now studying for her CIPD Level 7 Diploma. Becky is also an associate member of the CIPD.
Becky's previous experience in roles prior to her time at AMAT UK include retail, mental health organisations and various veterinary - the empathic skills she developed within these roles have ensured that her approach to HR is always respectful, understanding and with set clear boundaries.
Job Titles:
- Chief Support & Partnerships Officer
Cat is a lifelong Medway resident, who has worked in the charity and statutory Sectors for nearly 20 years.
I started my journey with AMAT UK in 2011 and managed our first community project 423 HUB, I was then promoted to support services manager. In 2013, I left for pastures new, and went onto work for an Advocacy Charity, and then onto to KCC as a project manager within their adult safeguarding department.
My background is in personal development, and how to improve personal, social and employability skills using activity and social events. I am also a professional musician and song writer, so luckily for me, my relationship with AMAT was formally reconnected in 2016 when we set up the AMAT UK ALIVE AND SINGING Choir. A project I am extremely proud of, and privileged to have a front row seat to see the progression and outcomes achieved by our members. During 2019 - 2022, I also worked with AMAT UK as a fundraising consultant, which has been really enjoyable work. Being able to analyse and write about the achievements and outcomes that our residents and staff had achieved together, reinforced what a special and important organisation we are lucky enough to have within the heart of Medway. This work came to its planned end in October 2022, so when the post for Senior Manager of Support Services came up, I knew that this was an opportunity for me to continue my journey with AMAT, one that I couldn't pass up, and I was thrilled to be offered the position after an extensive interview process.
I am so excited and proud to be able to use my skills and experience to shape and nurture our Support team, grow our community project, and ensure that the quality and best practice that AMAT is known for is maintained, upheld and developed, as well as having a strategic impact on the reaction and direction of the whole organisation.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board
- Trustee
A long standing Medway resident, who is presently semi-retired from a career in the construction industry. David has worked in a wide-variety of roles ranging from welder, operations manager, NVQ assessor to Company Director. An established member of the community - David has carried out numerous voluntary roles from parish council member, school governor and a host of other charitable activities. He was attracted to the role of Trustee for AMAT UK as he is passionate about having a positive impact in the community that he has lived and worked in for over 50 years.
Job Titles:
- Finance & Resources Officer
- Senior Manager of Core Functions
Elaine joined HM Forces (Army) in 1990, beginning her career as a telecommunications technician before transferring to Human Resources in 2003 and progressing to Management Accounting services in 2009. Elaine has been an Associate Chartered Management Accountant (ACMA) since 2013 under the CIMA professional body. She left the Army in 2015 to work as a contracted Management Accountant for MKC Training Services, a major training provider for the Ministry of Defence, alongside studying for a BA Hons in Sustainable Performance Management which she achieved in 2018.
In 2018, Elaine came to AMAT UK as the Finance Manager. In 2020, Elaine was promoted to Senior Manager of Core Functions, continuing to manage all the finance functions within the organisation and overseeing the management of Human Resources, Rent & Benefits and Quality and Compliance functions.
Job Titles:
- Management Accountant
- Member of the Board
- Secretary Board of Trustees / AMAT 's Company Secretary
AMAT's Company Secretary. Emma is a Management Accountant. She has had a long-standing relationship with AMAT UK, beginning in 2006 when she worked as an HR assistant during her gap year before starting university and returned to AMAT during the university holidays. This gave Emma real insight into the homeless sector; affording her the opportunity to learn a great deal about the importance of places like AMAT UK- who offer a supportive environment for some of the most vulnerable people in society, helping them to get back on their feet and achieve their goals. Emma attained a Law degree and then went on to train as a Chartered Accountant in a London accountancy firm, specialising in providing audit and assurance services to a wide variety of clients including listed companies, small businesses, charitable organisations and pension schemes.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board
- Chairman of the Board of Trustees / AMAT UK 's Chairman of the Board
AMAT UK's Chairman of the Board of Trustees since 2013, is a retired Recruitment Consultant with 30 years' experience in the construction industry. He also has experience of working as an advocate for clients with deprived liberty under the mental health act. Married with two sons, George is heavily involved in local community activities. He's campaigned against the development of internationally protected wetlands in North Kent and participated in the latest consultation to identify additional aviation runways in the South East. George is committed to a caring society and prepared to devote time and energy to further those beliefs.
Ibi achieved a MSc in Business Management from the University of Hull in 2007. Since then, she has worked in various accounting departments before joining AMAT in 2018 as the Bookkeeper. She was later promoted to become the Management Accountant of AMAT in 2022 after reaching the final stages of her CIMA qualification examinations. Working in AMAT finance department enabled her passion to transcend precise and accurate transactional accounting and record keeping, to becoming more analytical and inquisitive in understanding variances and forecasts. Also, she has broadened her knowledge of AMAT's internal processes beyond the finance office by regularly taking on weekend late shifts.
Ibi is currently living in Medway and working in a local accounting firm. She is eager to contribute to the growth of AMAT by working together with the Board of Trustees to drive the organisation forward.
Job Titles:
- Quality and Compliance Manager
Jo is a lifelong Medway resident, who had various roles in different sectors before joining the AMAT UK family in 2004.
Jo started her journey with AMAT UK as a housing benefit assistant. After 6 months of working as a housing benefit assistant she was promoted to housing benefit manager and was in that post for 6 years. Following her return from maternity leave, Jo was offered a promotion to Quality and Compliance Manager. Her focus within this role is to ensure that AMAT UK's policies and procedures are fit for purpose as well as remaining resident focused & keep AMAT UK up to date with Health & Safety legislation. As well as a number of other parts to her job, Jo has recently taken over the management of AMAT UK's charity shop.
Jodie is a lifelong Medway resident who has worked for AMAT for nearly 20 years. Jodie's journey with AMAT UK started after a relationship breakdown, which meant that she became the sole provider for her 2 young children. Prior to starting her family, Jodie worked in retail, which would not give her the flexibility she needed as a single parent of primary school aged children, so Jodie attended an adult education centre and retrained in administration. Once qualified, Jodie secured a 3-week work experience placement within AMAT UK's HR Department.
Luckily for us, the AMAT UK Directors quickly recognised Jodie's potential, her ability to build rapport with staff and residents, her unparalleled work ethic and acute ability to problem solve and crisis manage. Jodie was offered a permanent position as HR Manager's assistant. Continuing her professional development, Jodie achieved a CIPD qualification in 2006 and was promoted to HR Manager. Over the next 4 years - AMAT UK saw a sustained period of growth due to the increased demand for supported accommodation for homeless adults in Medway. Jodie worked closely with the directors to ensure that the changes to the organisation were coherent and sustainable, her work in this time and the growing need for a more strategic overview of the charity saw Jodie promoted to one of two Senior Managers.
AMAT UK has always been a front runner in best practice within the Medway homeless sector. After consultation with an independent charity consultant, our board voted that AMAT UK would benefit from a major restructure which included the appointment of Jodie as AMAT UK's first CEO. Jodie's drive and passion to ensure that homeless adults and residents remain at the centre of what we do and that AMAT UK always provides an unrivalled service made her the natural choice. Jodie leads from the front, but never forgets to make sure those at the back have the skills, support, and inspiration they need to do their jobs in the best way, whilst always remaining true to the charity's mission of providing homes and rebuilding lives.
Jonathan is a barrister specialising in planning and environmental law. His background in housing and local government led to his decision to be called to the Bar some 30 years ago. He was instrumental in setting up short life housing co-operatives in south London in the 80s and early 90s and had 8 years of experience as a member on a north Kent authority including 4 years as a cabinet member responsible for regeneration . Jonathan has lived in north Kent and south London for over 40 years.
Jonathan is committed to serving the housing needs of the Medway community and sees membership of the Board as a way of achieving this.
Kirstine has engaged in a range of projects of social justice and social cohesion underpins a confident and consistent approach to the management and maintenance of high-quality service delivery. Kirstine has a over a decade of experience of both project and programme development within public health, education and the mental health sectors, Kirstine has also refined a keen understanding of the complex relationship between health inequalities and service user involvement
Job Titles:
- Front Office and Allocations Manager
Liam is a lifelong Medway resident that came to work with AMAT UK in 2005. Although he had little experience of working within the homeless sector - he demonstrated a great knowledge of the local area and Medway faces.
Having been with the charity for such a long time now, Liam has experience in most AMAT UK departments, and always showed an aptitude for developing rapport with our residents. His promotion to Front Office and Allocations manager in 2015 was a natural progression and played to his strengths in such a customer facing role. Liam shows a very real understanding of how homelessness has impacted the lives of our residents and how many of us could be in a similar position.
Lisa is a lifelong Medway Resident. After various job roles and a career break to have her children, Lisa decided it was time to get back to work and in 2007 applied (successfully) for a role as a Housing Benefits Assistant with AMAT UK. Lisa was promoted to Housing Coordinator in 2012.
Lisa has completed various training with AMAT UK during her 14 years with the company, and is now the Rent & Benefits Manager. Lisa has always been able to build good rapport with out residents, and despite promotion to management, has always maintained client-facing work as a part of her role.
Job Titles:
- Chief Property Portfolio Officer
Lynne has worked at AMAT UK twice, giving her 14 years' worth of knowledge and experience. Lynne started as a House Manager and did that for 2 years, then following a 2-year break she applied to come back, starting out as House Manager again, but was soon promoted to the Manager for Housing Management. Lynne achieved a CIH qualification in 2018, and in 2020 Lynne was promoted to her current role.
Lynne is extremely organised and methodical; she liaises with the Landlords and has been instrumental in making improvements to the housing stock and our compliance.
Ravi is a seasoned leader with over 15 years of strategic management experience in various sectors, including public, private, and social. As the Economy Lead (Place) and EDI Advocate at Surrey County Council, Ravi leads the delivery of the town regeneration programme, which aims to create vibrant, inclusive, and sustainable places for residents, businesses, and visitors.
Ravi's core competencies include stakeholder management, partnership building, data-driven insights, co-designing strategies, and promoting equality, diversity, and inclusion. Ravi has successfully engaged with multiple partners and communities to co-create and implement place-based solutions that address local challenges and opportunities. Most recently, Ravi has been leading research into health on the high streets and developing strategies for tackling health inequalities across key towns in Surrey.
Ravi has also leveraged his MBA and consultancy project management skills to work in the real estate and hospitality industries, and launched an online gift store that showcases his cultural and creative flair. Ravi is always eager to learn new skills and explore new avenues to make a positive impact on society.
Ravi has always been passionate about giving back to the community through voluntary teaching and tutoring for Maths and English, career coaching graduate students at City University in London, supporting a local food bank in East London and raising a total of £1,500 for Shelter and Tommy's by running three half marathons.
Scott has 14 years' experience working with Homeless adults. Scott worked at AMAT UK for 10 years as a Senior Support worker, he left to work at a charity who work with rough sleepers in Westminster. Working with homeless adult's frontline is a vocation and with years of knowledge and experience in the Sector. Scott was pleased to return to AMAT and influence the strategy and help to shape the service.
Shelley has lived and worked in Medway all of her life; she first came to live with AMAT 6 years ago after sofa surfing due to the end of a relationship. Shelley has consistently volunteered and has become an active member of our community, including volunteering her time in our Charity shop, helping with events, and manning our reception. Shelley is also a member of our ALIVE and SINGING Choir.
Shelley worked with our resettlement officer and has now moved into her own secure accommodation, although she no longer lives with AMAT, Shelley is passionate about giving back to the organisation, and is keen to add her lived experience to the board to ensure that service users are getting the support that they need, in the way they need it.