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.

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.

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.

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 Policy, Customer Experience and Assurance, 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.

Chair of the Board and member of the Remuneration Panel

Joined the PCH Board in September 2020

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, Associate Non-Executive Director at University Hospitals Plymouth (UHP) NHS Trust, Chair of the Future Hospital Committee at UHP and Chair of the new Integrated Care 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

Joined the PCH Board in May 2023

Peter is a highly experienced housing professional and leader, having  served on Housing Association and ALMO boards for over 15 years, and as Chair of the Quality of Existing Homes Group for the National Federation of Housing.

Peter has also held several senior executive roles including as a Corporate Director of a local authority in the South West and most recently as Director of Assets at Clarion Housing Group which is the UK’s largest Housing Association.

As well as his non-executive work, Peter runs his own consultancy business which provides support across the social housing sector.

Board Member and member of the Audit and Risk Committee

Joined the PCH Board in July 2023

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.”

Board Member and Chair of the PCH Regeneration Board

Joined the PCH Board in May 2022

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, Chair of the Development Committee and member of the Audit and Risk Committee

Joined the PCH Board in September 2020

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 Remuneration Panel

Joined the Customer Focus Committee in April 2017 and the PCH Board in September 2018

Lavinia was born in Romania and moved here with her husband and has a young daughter. Lavinia has numerous qualifications including a Bachelor’s Degree in Public Administration, a Master’s Degree in European Studies, a Master’s Degree in Communications and Public Relations and an Advance Diploma in The Management of Resources in Public Administration. Having worked for eight years as an advisor in Iasi City Council Romania, she dealt with lots of people from different backgrounds and offered them support. Lavinia currently works at Plymouth and Devon Racial Equality Council as a Community Engagement Worker and Advocate. 

“I really believe that PCH is part of the wider community and part of Plymouth as a city. I am really happy to be part of this story. From the moment I approached PCH, I felt the professionalism and dedication of the people who work here. The future of PCH looks brilliant and I want to make sure PCH continues to adapt to new housing requirements and continues to offer great service that people want and can afford."

Board Member, Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee and member of the Development Committee

Liz has worked for the Greater London Council and with Housing Ministers on affordable housing policy. Liz has also worked with London & Quadrant Housing and has been a Board member for another housing association.

When she’s not fully occupied with work, running her guesthouse, she also volunteers with the Plymouth Soup Run and Plymouth School Uniform Store.

“With PCH now developing homes in Plymouth’s travel to work area, we’re showing we’re not just about maintaining standards for existing tenants, we’re also securing homes for the future, for people who may not live in the city, but may work here. It shows PCH is a big part of the city’s economy”.

Board Member and member of the Customer Focus Committee and Development Committee

Joined the PCH Board in May 2022

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.”  

Independent Board Member on the PCH Regeneration Board

Mike Day has over 40 years’ experience of affordable housing working in both private and public sector, having worked for Wimpey Homes, as well as Knightstone Housing Group (Now Live West), Shaftesbury Housing and Oxford City Housing.

Board Member and member of the Development Committee

Joined the PCH Board in May 2022

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 Shadow Cabinet member for Regulatory Service, Crematoria, Leisure, Events and Tourism.

Board Member and member of the Audit and Risk Committee and PCH Regeneration Board

Joined the PCH Board in May 2022

Tasawar has an impressive career, with a background and PHD in finance. He has specialist knowledge in sustainable business practices and even travels the world giving talks on his research. 

His work has been featured in top-tier academic journals, including the Financial Times’s Top-50 influential journals in the world.

Tasawar has lived in Plymouth for seven years.

Resident Co-Optee of the Customer Focus Committee, joining in December 2021

Resident Co-Optee of the Customer Focus Committee, joining in December 2021

Resident Co-Optee of the Customer Focus Committee, joining in December 2022