The organisation is run by a Board of Management where people are recruited based upon a criterion of skills and competencies required by the Board to fulfil their business objectives.
The Board makes major decisions about what the company aims to do and how it will achieve this. It steers the Executive Leadership Team (ELT) who look after the day-to-day operation of the business and the delivery of services.
SLH currently holds the gradings for Governance’ (G1) and ‘Viability (V2) from the Homes and Communities Agency (the social housing regulator).
Ian Munro
Chair
Until recently Ian had been the Chief Executive of New Charter, a highly successful and respected Housing Association in the Manchester area.
Ian has served as a non-executive director on the Board of SLH since September 2017 and as well as his significant housing pedigree he has set up and chaired a multi-academy education trust and a local media company.
Ian was appointed to the SLH Chair role from 1st May 2018. Ian has been a former board member of the National Housing Federation and was awarded an OBE for services to housing in the 2017 New Years Honours list.
Ian Munro
Declarations of Interest
Steve Bentley
Deputy Chair
Steve has over 35 years of experience in corporate banking, having qualified with the institute of bankers and was the former Relationship Director for Barclays specialised in supporting Social Housing providers in the North West before retiring in 2019.
He brings considerable corporate governance, finance and treasury management experience to South Lakes Housing. Steve lives just outside of Kirkby Lonsdale and is also the senior independent director at the ForViva Group, a social housing provider with wide-reaching commercial activities based in Salford.
Steve Bentley
Declarations of Interest
Andy Oldale
Chair of Audit & Risk Committee
Andy was recently an Executive Director of Finance and Governance at Yorkshire Housing and has a breadth of strategic finance and governance experience having held a number of other senior positions within the sector and is also an independent member of the Audit and Risk Committee at Joseph Rowntree Foundation.
Before working in social housing, he led finance teams in customer-focused retail businesses.
Andrew is a qualified accountant and has a sound understanding of internal control, the sector and the regulatory environment and experience in health and safety and treasury management.
Andy Oldale
Declarations of Interest
Silas Heys
Chair of Development Committee
Silas is Head of Legal & Secretary at Cumberland Building Society. Previously a specialist in property law and development, he advised businesses of all sizes on their property portfolios and developments, as well as charities and organisations in the education sector. He now leads the legal, governance and data protection teams at a mutual financial services firm, where is a senior advisor to the executive team and board of directors.
A geography graduate and fellow of the Royal Geographical Society, Silas has a keen interest in sustainability and the environment.
Silas Heys
Declarations of Interest
Nicola Haywood-Cleverly
Board member
With a background in engineering, Nicola has extensive knowledge of the technology industry and a wealth of expertise in implementing large-scale, complex change, often digitally enabled to deliver improvements and innovation across the public sector. She has been a Chief Digital and Information Officer in the NHS, integrated care, and policing.
With a passion for sustainability, supporting communities and doing what is right to care for and protect people, Nicola works as an advisor to the digital health and care sector, including the Institute of Engineering and Technology.
An experienced governor, NED and chair, her contribution to strategic development, resourcing and investment, risk and assurance, and the use of business intelligence and data is highly valued. She is a board member at OnGo Homes and a NED at University Hospitals Morecambe Bay, which complement and benefit her work at South Lakes Housing.
Nicola has a lifelong relationship with the region and welcomes this opportunity to give something back.
Nicola Haywood-Cleverly
Declarations of Interest
Tony Muir
Board member
Tony is a Fellow of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, and he has worked in property asset management for over 30 years. His roles have spanned the private sector, public sector and over the last five years, Social Housing. Tony has worked in property consultancy working with various nationwide clients, advising on both the client side and delivering as a contractor or supply chain partner.
Tony is an experienced Statutory Company Director previously managing several property services companies delivering to major local authorities and housing providers. His most recent roles in housing have seen him operating at Director and Executive level reporting to the Board.
Tony Muir
Declarations of Interest
Steve Hughes
Steve Hughes leads Oldham Council’s Strategy, Public Affairs and Engagement, Transformation, Governance, and Data & Insight functions. He also serves as the Senior Responsible Officer (SRO) for the council’s digital programme, driving innovation and modernisation.
With 12 years’ experience in Chief Officer and Chair roles within the Citizens Advice network, alongside senior non-executive positions in housing and education, Steve brings extensive expertise in transformation, customer-focused services, operational management, and change leadership.
His 12-year tenure as a local government cabinet member highlights his deep commitment to public service. A passionate advocate for HIV awareness, Steve also serves as a trustee for national Citizens Advice, reflecting his dedication to social justice and community empowerment.
Steve Hughes
Declarations of Interest
Charlotte Norman
Board member
Charlie has worked in the local authority and social housing sector for over 30 years, across the North West and in Vancouver, Canada, with a background in community and co-operative development, neighbourhood management, supported housing and regeneration.
Charlie is honoured to be CEO of MSV, having worked for the business for over 20 years and committed to providing the best service possible for customers and communities. Charlie is proud to be the Chair of the Greater Manchester Housing Providers Partnership and Chair of the Northern Housing Consortium, as well as a charity trustee.
Working with a wide range of colleagues, customers, partners and community and voluntary sector colleagues, Charlie is a campaigner for social justice and tackling inequality. She is also a firm believer in building a great work environment where people can flourish with a focus on flexibility, agility and creativity.
Charlotte Norman
Declarations of Interest
John Walker
Co-opted Board Member
I have 30 years experience working in a range of roles and housing organisations within the social housing sector.
Experience and key skill areas include corporate and asset strategy, business planning, regulatory compliance, change management, stock rationalisation and growth. Further experience in policy development, research, public affairs and external engagement. Previous senior housing experience with Gentoo Group, Home Group, Derwent Housing Association and Director of JPW housing consultancy. Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Housing.
John Walker
Declarations of Interest
David Butcher
Independent Member of Audit and Risk Committee
David is a chartered accountant and has held various financial management positions in both private and public sectors.
He is currently Director of Finance and University Secretary at Leeds Trinity University, with responsibilities including strategic and operational financial management, strategic business planning and leading on the risk management processes. David grew up in and still has ties to the South Lakes area and is keen to support SLH in the key role it plays in the area.
David Butcher
Declarations of Interest
Martyn Nicholson
Independent Member of Development Committee
Martyn was the Managing Director of a local housebuilding company (Russell Armer Homes) for 30 years before retiring in 2021. He originally trained as a quantity surveyor and was a Fellow of the RICS. He has lived in Kendal for over 40 years and has been on the board of Queen Katherine School, Kendal College and Kendal Futures.
Martyn Nicholson
Declaration of interest
