Meet the team

Jonathan joined PCH as Chief Executive in September 2023, and is responsible for providing strategic and operational leadership of the organisation, working with the Board and Executive Management Team. Jonathan is also the Health and Safety lead for the organisation

Before moving to Devon, Jonathan worked as Chief Operating Officer for Vivid Housing in Portsmouth, and was previously the Chief Executive of City West Homes in London and Chief Operating Officer for Sovereign Housing in Newbury.

Jonathan’s earlier career included senior management roles in the telecommunications and customer service sectors, and championing the voice of the customer remains a key focus today, as well as ensuring PCH delivers excellent services for residents and works to improve lives within the communities it serves.

Alongside his role as CEO at PCH, Jonathan serves as a Non-Executive Director for Magna Housing in Dorset and a Non-Executive Director of the UK Institute of Customer Service.

In his free time, Jonathan enjoys watching rugby and following F1, walking the South West Coast Path with his family, and learning more about the history of Plymouth and the South West as he explores the region.

Gill has been part of PCH since November 2009 and is passionate about providing decent, safe, affordable homes for people in need.

She leads the HR, Communications and Marketing, Strategy, Performance and Insight, Assurance and Risk, Governance, Property, Safety and Environmental Services functions for the organisation and is passionate about providing excellent customer services and engaging with people - themes common to all Gill’s teams.

Before joining PCH, Gill was Assistant Director for HR and Organisational Development for Plymouth City Council, where she had worked in a variety of roles over 28 years.

She is Plymouth born and bred and believes passionately in home grown talent, investing and developing the city’s skilled workforce.

Gill enjoys travelling, going to the theatre and reading.

Michelle joined PCH in November 2024 to lead the Homes and Communities directorate, overseeing the teams responsible for housing and tenancy management, customer experience and complaints, repairs and compliance, asset management and delivery, rent and lettings, and housing with support.

Michelle has more than 20 years’ experience in driving transformative change across multiple sectors and has worked in housing since 2007 with a focus on community empowerment, customer service and regeneration.

Most recently, Michelle was the Director of Housing and Community Investment for major South West social housing provider Abri, and previous roles include serving as a Director for the Battersea Academy of Skills Excellence to regenerate the iconic Battersea Power Station.

Michelle is passionate about ensuring communities are actively involved in local development as well as delivering sustainable positive social change, and she is focused on integrating excellent customer services across PCH’s workstreams as Plymouth’s largest social housing landlord.

Alongside her position at PCH, Michelle is a non-executive Board member for the Housing Association Charitable Trust (HACT), the charity of the social housing sector.

Nick has been with PCH from the start in 2009.  His responsibilities cover Finance, Digital and IT, Procurement and Development of new homes.

He has had senior roles in housing since 2000 both with housing associations and the Regulatory body and prior to that worked for the Charity Commission and at a national charity.

Nick is the first to say he has great teams of people in his directorate which is providing the lead for the aim to develop over 200 homes a year in and around Plymouth, promoting greater use of digital technology to improve services and hence lives, providing value for money and ensuring the finances are secure for a strong independent long term future.

Outside of work Nick loves spending time with his family, playing 5-a-side football, watching sport (especially Notts County whenever he can), going to the theatre, gardening and being involved in his local church.

Chair of the Board and member of the PCH Regeneration Board

Valerie hails from Plymouth and has enjoyed a successful career in the retail sector for more than 30 years, and leading large-scale transformation programmes. She has been an integral part of the PCH since joining in September 2020 and has recently been appointed a Chair of the PCH Board.

In addition to serving on the Board of PCH, Valerie also holds non-executive positions as Chair of the Circadian Trust, Vice Chair at University Hospitals Plymouth (UHP) NHS Trust and Chair of the new Healthy Lives partnership between the NHS Trust and Livewell Southwest.

Valerie’s experience as a non-executive and Board member has led her to see the benefit in partnership working across the city, to help address some of the broader issues faced in health, wellbeing and social care.

“I joined PCH because I am passionate about supporting businesses that strive to improve the health and wellbeing of local communities across the South West. I have real admiration for the team at PCH, the culture, and the commitment to great customer service. At PCH, there are always opportunities to learn and there is a real genuine desire to hear the voices of residents and customers. The culture is also one of psychological safety, where those ideas are welcomed.”

Vice Chair of the Board, member of Audit and Risk Committee and member of Capital Investment Committee

Over the course of a long and varied career, David has worked across almost every discipline in housing, has a degree in Housing and a keen interest in asset management, including repairs, maintenance and compliance. David was previously the Executive Director of LiveWest, a Board Member at Magna Housing and at GreenSquareAccord. He is also currently a Board Member at Two Rivers Housing in the Forest of Dean.

In his spare time, David keeps busy volunteering in his local village shop as well as looking after a patch in the local churchyard. His favourite football team are his beloved Huddersfield Town who he has watched in over 60 stadiums in the UK, often ticking off which ones are left to visit. 

Board Member and member of the Audit and Risk Committee, Finance Committee and People and Culture Committee

Emma is a qualified accountant and has worked in several different industries including Retail, Housing and most recently global Supply Chain Management, in a career spanning 30 years. She has experience of systems implementation, business transformation, and raising finance.

Originally from Oxfordshire, Emma moved to the South West six years ago after returning from living and working in South America. She is now semi-retired and lives with her partner and three dogs in Cornwall.

“I am excited to have joined Plymouth Community Homes, a highly regarded housing association. My personal experience living in a developing country has increased my awareness and perspective of people living on very low incomes, the challenges that people face on a day-to-day basis, and that even the smallest assistance makes a sizeable difference to people’s lives and the community they live in.”

James brings three decades of corporate finance and commercial expertise to the PCH Board, two of which he has dedicated to the sustainability sector. Over his career, James has worked in leadership roles including Chief Investment & Strategy Officer, CFO, and Director, making his experience and finance expertise an essential asset to the Board.

In his profession, James has facilitated and strategised private sector projects in renewable energy and waste management, as well as delivered impact advice to public sector organisations that champion circular economy principles.

James has been living in Devon for 20 years, where he actively supports his wife’s work as an elected county and district councillor.

“Having operated extensively at executive level, I would look to provide the same level of challenge and scrutiny to the executive team as I would expect to receive myself. I am keen to provide the right balance between scrutiny and challenge and provide insights and suggestions that can add value and help drive positive innovation and change.”

Board Member and member of the Audit and Risk Committee

Jill is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Housing with a wealth of experience and knowledge in the housing and development sector. She has held senior positions in a number of housing associations and is the former Executive Director of Development and Commercial  at Westward Housing. She is also a Non-Executive Director for Torvista Homes.

Board Member and member of the Customer Focus Committee

Having lived in Plymouth for most of her life, working in a construction background, Jo joined the PCH resident scrutiny team in 2015 and has been an active resident learning about social housing and helping other residents get involved with PCH ever since. She joined the CFC in 2022 before recently becoming a resident Board Member in 2024.

In her spare time, she volunteers at the Four Greens Community Trust and is a former trustee at the SW Time Bank. She is passionate about social housing and really believes in what PCH does and how it supports it's residents and staff.

Board Member, Chair of the Capital Investment Committee and member of the Audit and Risk Committee

Julie is a chartered surveyor and member of the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors with experience in development, construction and property management across the private and public sectors. She is also a Fellow of the Faculty of Building and a corporate member of the Chartered Institute of Housing.

Julie is the former Chief Executive of Tamar Housing Society and co-founder of the new right-to-own tenure Rentplus. She is a trustee of the Kingsbridge charity, Feoffees.

Board Member, Chair of the Customer Focus Committee and member of the Capital Investment Committee

Maja started her career as an urban designer, best describing it as halfway between architecture and planning. Maja later went on to work for charities that empowered communities through design, giving them a say in new developments. Maja moved to Devon a year ago, having worked for the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan on a scheme called the London Community-led Housing Hub.

“I have a diverse background having worked with many different people across different sectors and am super excited about future developments in Plymouth. I believe new housing developments should weave the community in and around them, making the most of insights from local people. Neighbouring residents of new housing schemes should always have a say and I want to encourage this in my role with PCH. New developments can become positively embraced, if you work with the community.”  

Board Member and member of the Capital Investment Committee

Sally Haydon has been the ward councillor in St Budeaux for 16 years. During this time, she was a Cabinet member responsible for customer focus and community safety which dealt with anti-social behaviour and environmental safety including fly tipping. She is currently a cabinet member for Community Safety, Libraries, Events, Cemeteries & Crematoria.

Since 2024, Alison has been representing Budshead ward as an elected Councillor. Prior to this, she was a Constituency Caseworker resolving a range of complex cases within Plymouth, the experience cementing her understanding of the gravity of the housing crisis. Throughout her career, Alison’s work has featured housing support, mental health support, and social care, adding up to over 27 years of experience. She also holds a BSc (Hons) in Health and Social Care.

Her journey into Social Housing began as a Project Worker at Second Step Housing Association in Bristol. A unique housing association, whose mission (ground-breaking at the time) is to provide housing and mental health support to vulnerable people living with mental health conditions. Allowing residents to live in the community, a more dignified alternative to living in institutionalised settings. Alison also worked as a Sheltered Housing Officer and Independent Living Service Officer at Curo, a Bath-based Housing Association.

“Housing is one of the most important issues facing our society at present, so the chance to help shape and direct PCH’s operations is one I am extremely keen to take up ... Having seen and experienced these issues personally, professionally and as an elected councillor, I am well aware of the scale of the challenge but am relishing the opportunity to play my part in helping to improve matters.”

Vikki moved to Devon in 2010 after many years working overseas in Europe and the US in a variety of senior HR and OD roles for Nike.

For 6 years she was the Chief Talent Officer and HR Director for the University of Plymouth, and it was during this period that she got to know Plymouth and fell for the city’s charms and big heart.

Vikki has a blend of executive and non-executive experience in a wide range of sectors, both public and private, working nationally and internationally. During her period as a management consultant she worked with Brunelcare, a Bristol housing charity for later living, and it was at this time Vikki started to get know the social housing sector. The experience strengthened her belief that everyone in the UK must have access to good education, healthcare, and housing and that stable, secure housing provides a foundation for better physical and mental health, improved school attendance, and better educational outcomes.

Vikki brings a wealth of executive level HR, strategic and transformation experience and is also a seasoned Board member, having served on the Board of Torbay & South Devon NHS Foundation Trust, Chairing their People and Negotiating Committees. She was also the Company Secretary and Trustee for the College of Self-Managed Learning, the Chair of Marine Academy Plymouth, a Multi Academy Trust based in St Budeaux in Plymouth and Co-Chair of Governors for her daughter’s school in Kingsbridge.

Vikki lives in Kingsbridge with her husband, daughter and two Devon Rex cats.

Clare has been a PCH tenant for over 25 years and is proud to be part of the Plymouth community. She became a CFC co-optee because she believes in all the positives that social housing provides and wants to give back to the community. Having worked as a delivery driver pre-pandemic, she changed job roles to work in a local residential home which she thoroughly enjoys as she is able to talk to the residents and make a difference in their day just by being a familiar face to talk to.

Outside of working as a business analyst Louise is a key part of her community, volunteering her time to litter picking in her area and chairing the Parent, Teacher & Friends Association for a local school. As a PCH resident she is keen to understand the role she can play in ensuring the resident view is heard and embedding within decision making at PCH.

Melony has first-hand experience of living in social housing and supporting build community spirit, particularly through her involvement in the regeneration of Devonport. With a diverse background in everything from care and support work, science and teaching, to retail, sales and health philosophy, Melony brings a wide range of viewpoints and perspectives to PCH as a resident’s voice. Melony is proud to be able to make her local and wider community a better place to live for all.

Plymouth has always been a special place for Tracy and after living most of her life in social housing, she has a good understanding of what a tenant expects from their landlord. She has a particular empathy for disabled and vulnerable tenants as she is a full-time carer for a loved one and takes great pride in being involved with PCH, starting on the Virtual Residents Association and Resident Scrutiny Team before becoming a Co-optee for the Customer Focus Committee.  In her spare time, she enjoys spoiling her granddaughters, completing puzzles and learning how to play chess.

Andrew is a Member of the Chartered Institute of Housing with more than 30 years’ experience working in the housing and development sector. Andrew has overseen and directly managed a wide range of new housing and commercial projects across the South West, including for Places for People, Sovereign, Signpost and Spectrum before joining PCH in 2013.

In his current role at PCH, Andrew oversees the Development Team who are responsible for delivering and selling new affordable homes.

Charlotte has been with PCH since the organisation began in 2009 and has over 20 years’ experience of working in the social housing sector. Charlotte started her housing career working in asset management and repairs, and then moved into performance management and strategic planning roles.

Her current role involves working with the Board, Executive and Senior Teams to develop plans for the future and make sure PCH delivers on its business objectives. 

Eugene has extensive experience of working in the technology landscape for more than 30 years across both private and public sectors, leading on technology operational management, service and programme delivery, infrastructure and security and is a ‘Fellow’ of the Chartered Management Institute (FCMI) and Member of the Chartered Institute for IT (MBCS).

At PCH, Eugene is responsible for managing the organisation’s Digital & Technology Strategy and delivering robust and protected design and solutions fit for purpose, providing reassurance to PCH’s residents and customers that their information is kept safe and secure.  Eugene also leads on Innovation and Transformation.

Ian joined PCH in 2023 following a career which has included 10 years spent working in commercial sectors contracting repairs and maintenance services, and 12 years working within the social housing public sector, specialising in property maintenance and asset management.

At PCH, Ian is responsible for the management of our responsive repairs service, as well as overseeing the preparation of empty properties for reletting, and ensuring full compliance through our servicing and delivery.

John is a Fellow Member of the Association of Chartered Certified Accounts (FCCA) with an extensive background in accountancy and career history of working in both the private and social housing industries. John has more than nine years of experience in the housing sector and prior to this, worked for six years within various roles in the private sector.

John leads on all finance matters for PCH, supporting the association to meet its short and long term objectives and deliver a robust and resilient business approach driving value for money whilst investing in new homes.

Justin is a qualified professional of the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (MCIPS).  He has worked in senior positions in both the UK and overseas in procurement, commercial and supply chain areas, in both private and public sector organisations. These include BAE Systems, Babcock International, Leonardo Helicopters, Ministry of Defence, Faithful and Gould and the University of Plymouth.

Justin oversees all our supply chain activities from procurement to store and fleet management across all group companies as well as sustainability and social value initiatives. This includes multi-million-pound contracts to improve our residents’ homes to developing new homes for people in need, all whilst achieving the best value for money from every purchase we make.

Laura is a qualified professional MRICS Planning and Development Surveyor with extensive, strategic leadership experience working across the South West in public, private and affordable housing sectors. At PCH, Laura is the lead for asset investment delivery based on evidence-based data, ensuring our residents’ homes are safe, energy efficient and great places to live.

Leigh is a people professional, and a qualified coach (MA Chartered MCIPD MIoL) and has a rich background in HR and organisational development, having worked across all aspects of talent management and employee relations and inclusion. Leigh has worked in as a Recruitment Consultant, and in a variety of positions over an 18-year period at the University of Plymouth, and most recently at St. Luke’s Hospice as Head of Organisational Development.
 
Leigh also has leadership development and culture consultancy experience across a variety of sectors ranging from engineering, Higher Education, to international energy firms and other local charities.
 
At PCH, Leigh is responsible for working with our people in shaping our culture, building the capability of teams and individuals, enabling our employees to feel proud and happy to work for PCH, which in turn means we deliver excellent services to our residents. Leigh will lead the People and Culture team with a strategic oversight in all aspects of HR, recruitment, learning and development, payroll and HR systems and data.

Louise has extensive operational and strategic management leadership experience working in housing, manufacturing, health and safety, procurement, facilities management and environmental services across public and housing association sectors in both London and Plymouth.

At PCH, Louise leads delivery of our Rangers service working across communities to keep areas surrounding our residents’ homes safe, clean, well maintained and environmentally friendly, as well as managing our Reuse centre. Louise is the lead at PCH facilities management, and ensures our workplaces and activities across PCH are safe for residents, staff and contractors.

Lucy Rickson joined PCH in October 2021 and brings over 25 years’ experience of housing association governance and regulation. Lucy has worked for several housing associations in the South West and was integral in projects to transfer council homes to new housing associations. Lucy acts as Company Secretary and Data Protection Officer for PCH and its subsidiaries. Her role includes compliance with social housing regulation, ensuring good governance and supporting the Board. Lucy also oversees PCH’s data privacy and the in-house legal team.

Mary has more than 25 years’ experience working in communications, marketing, media and PR for both public and private sector companies. During her career, Mary worked as an award-winning investigative journalist, feature writer and columnist for over 15 years before moving into public relations and working for clients including property developers, local authorities and AIM-listed national companies.

Mary joined PCH in 2022 and leads a team responsible for PCH’s communications and marketing to residents, stakeholders, customers and the wider public, including digital services such as the website, resident portal and newsletters. Mary also oversees our resident engagement including consultations, scrutiny and customer insight.

Matt Cleveland joined us in January 2025 as our new Head of Customer Experience and oversees our Contact Centre, Customer Experience and Planning teams.

Matt brings with him a wealth of experience and knowledge in Customer Service and Contact Centre management over the past 25 years, spending the past 10 years as a Senior Site Director for Sitel Group now Foundever overseeing Contact Centres for large clients with a primary focus on the South West.

Working with companies such as John Lewis, Virgin Media, Heathrow and Intuit quickbooks, Matt has experience in leading and supporting clients to achieve their strategic targets within all areas of customer management and continuous improvement.

A key aspect of his role includes ensuring a first-class customer service which demonstrates the values of the organisation, including ensuring PCH adheres to the Housing Ombudsman complaint code.

Nicky has been with PCH since the beginning, having previously worked for Plymouth City Council and has over 40 years of housing experience most of which has been within Tenancy Management or Income Collection.  Nicky is known as the expert on Welfare Reform issues within PCH and has given evidence at a Select Committee into Universal Credit which resulted in a number of changes being made to the system, as well as meeting with the Minister for Universal Credit to highlight the 53 week rent year issue.

Ashima joined PCH in January 2025 as the Building Safety Manager responsible for leading the delivery of the Building Safety Act and Social Housing Act, ensuring that all fire and building safety duties in PCH’s six high rise buildings are effectively and robustly conducted.

She brings over 20 years of experience in construction and social housing, holding various positions including Health and Safety Manager, Health, Safety, Environment and Quality Manager, and Head of Property Safety and Compliance.

James has worked at PCH for over 12 years and was appointed as Risk and Assurance Manager in 2022. James is an Affiliate member of the Institute of Risk Management and is committed to ensuring risk management is applied practically across the organisation. James works closely with the Board, Executive and Senior Management Team to ensure that risk appetite, and strategic risks are understood and considered in the wider context of global, national and local risks which have the potential to impact on the business.

Paul has extensive experience in fire safety, specialising in fire investigations, fire safety audits, policy procedures and compliance with Fire Safety Regulations. Paul spent over 30 years at Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service (DSFRS) where he held various positions including Head of Fire Safety.

Since leaving DSFRS in 2019, Paul has specialised in fire safety in social housing and at PCH, Paul leads highly skilled and qualified fire safety and fire door teams.

The fire safety team complete fire risk assessments, oversee fire safety remediation work, provide advice to other departments and residents. The fire door team complete certificated fire door installations, repairs, checks and maintenance of all flat entrance and communal fire doors.

Paul is the lead at PCH for Fire Safety Management working across communities to maintain our residents premises safe from fire and compliant with fire safety requirements.

Sean joined PCH in 2019 as a Repairs Supervisor bringing with him a wealth of experience from working as a Repairs Operative and a background as a carpenter.

In July 2023, Sean was appointed to a newly created role of Damp and Disrepair Manager as part of PCH’s commitment to tackle damp, mould and condensation in our homes. Sean has overall responsibility for, and leadership over, all disrepair cases and damp and mould resolution for PCH.

Sean is a member of the Property Care Association promoting best practice and providing technical guidance in the industry sector.