THFC comprises a diverse team of recognised industry experts.
Members of the Board include:
George Blunden
Chairman
Guy Thomas
Chairman of Audit Committee
Shirley Smith
Senior Independent Director
Scott Bottles
Chairman of the Credit Committee
Tony King
David Montague
Peter Impey
Gill Payne
Chair of Remuneration Committee
Will Perry
Chair of Nominations Committee
Fenella Edge
Treasurer
Piers Williamson
Chief Executive
Piers Williamson
Chief Executive
Fenella Edge
Group Treasurer
William Stevenson
Deputy Treasurer and Relationship Manager
Jack Bush
Treasury Analyst
Arun Poobalasingam
Head of Relationship Management and Business Development
Gavin Richards
Relationship Manager
Alex Bowden
Relationship Manager
Brendan Whitworth
Relationship Manager
Melissa Gheerawo Skilbeck
Security Asset Manager
Isabel Jiménez-Sinclair
Security Asset Analyst
David Stokes
Credit and Risk Director
Andrew Lynch
Credit and Risk Manager
Sharon Woodward
Credit & Portfolio Risk Analyst
Ian Lloyd
Head of Finance
Steven Dighton-Brown
Management Accountant
Chris Johnson
Project Manager
Satindra Rana
Finance Assistant
Madalena Lukau
Accounts Assistant
Ella Hoareau
Company Secretary and Head of Compliance
Rob Doick
IT Director
Corin Breckon
IT Support Analyst
Fiona Godden
Executive Assistant
THFC is a CPD accredited employer with the ACT
Corin Breckon
IT Support Analyst
Catherine Ryder
Catherine is director of policy and research, overseeing the National Housing Federation’s work across a number of strategic areas – lobbying for change to allow housing associations to deliver their priorities for their residents and communities.
She was previously head of policy at the NHF, leading work on homelessness, supported housing and the Social Housing Green Paper. Catherine has also worked as Advisor to the Chief Executive at the NHF and recently spent some time working on economic development and housing at Coast to Capital – a Local Enterprise Partnership in Surrey and Sussex. Before joining the NHF Catherine worked at the Audit Commission as a Strategy Manager, leading the development of assessment frameworks for local government.
Ray Walker
Finance Director
Ray joined THFC as the Finance Director during May 2022 and was also appointed to the board in the same month. He is a chartered accountant with 18 years experience and holds a bachelors degree in accounting and commercial law. Ray has held a number of different positions at tier 1 Investment Banks including, financial controlling, change and regulatory roles. Most recently, Ray spent 10 years at UBS servicing both regulated and non-regulated entities.
Rob Doick
IT Director
Madalena Lukau
Accounts Assistant
Steven Dighton-Brown
Management Accountant
Ray Walker
Finance Director
Ray joined THFC as Finance Director in May 2022.
Ray Walker
Finance Director
Ray joined THFC as the Finance Director during May 2022 and was also appointed to the board in the same month. He is a chartered accountant with 18 years experience and holds a bachelors degree in accounting and commercial law. Ray has held a number of different positions at tier 1 Investment Banks including, financial controlling, change and regulatory roles. Most recently, Ray spent 10 years at UBS servicing both regulated and non-regulated entities.
Jack Bush
Treasury Analyst
Jack joined THFC in 2022 as a Treasury Analyst. Prior to this he worked in Audit at Mazars where he specialised in Asset Management Assurance before looking for a career change into Treasury. Jack previously graduated from the University of Reading in 2020 where he studied Mathematics with Finance and Investment Banking.
Ella Hoareau
Company Secretary and Head of Compliance
Ella joined THFC in September 2021 from the Civil Service, where she held roles in the Home Office, Ministry of Justice and the Impact Investing Institute (as a secondee). Prior to this, she read English as an undergraduate at the University of Cambridge, and studied a Master’s degree in Migration and Diaspora Studies at SOAS.
Chris Johnson
Project Manager
Chris is a Chartered Accountant, he trained in London with BDO then moved to Brazil with EY and went on spend 27 years working in as CFO, COO and CEO of number of British and American owned multinationals across a range of sectors in Latin America.
Arun Poobalasingam
Head of Relationship Management and Business Development
Arun joined THFC in August 2021 as Head of Relationship Management and Business Development. He joined from HSBC where he helped set up and then led their social housing business focusing predominantly on larger housing associations. Having started his career working at Diageo, he moved to Network Rail where starting as a financial modeller he moved on to the Treasury team that raised over £20bn of debt through the Global Capital Markets during his stint. He left in 2007 to join HSBC’s real estate team at an interesting time for the sector and specialised in property for most of his time there.
Peter Impey
Peter’s career encompasses over 40 years in commercial banking and social finance. He served as the Head of Credit for The Housing Finance Corporation from 1995 to 2002. More recently, he provided commercial advice and support for the design and implementation of the Housing Guarantees Schemes to, firstly, HM Treasury and, thereafter, to the Department for Communities and Local Government. He was appointed to the board of Affordable Housing Finance Plc as a DCLG nominee in July 2013 and to the THFC board in May 2020. He also serves as an independent Director of PRS Operations Ltd.
Fiona McKinnon
Executive Assistant
Prior to working at THFC, Fiona spent eleven years as PA to the Chief Executive of the Association of Corporate Treasures. She is a member of IMA (International Management Assistants) and has a wealth of experience in diary planning, daily admin responsibilities and liaising with a multitude of professional bodies and banks.
+44 (0)20 7337 9920
Email Fiona McKinnon here
Fiona Godden
Executive Assistant
Fiona began with THFC at the end of 2014. She arrived after working for Trowers & Hamlins, where she built an impressive 8 year portfolio as a PA at a senior level. Fiona began her secretarial career in advertising and publishing, navigating between corporate and legal environments.
+44 (0)20 7337 9920
Email Fiona Godden here
Satindra Rana
Finance Assistant
Satindra began working at THFC in 2018 as a Finance Assistant. He graduated from the University of North London, with a degree in Business studies. He is part-qualified in the Institute of Export and International Trade, and has worked across many sectors, including publishing, banking and commodities. Satindra is currently studying for his ACCA professional qualification.
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Email Satindra Rana here
Ian Lloyd
Head of Finance
Ian joined THFC in 2003 as an Accounts & Loans Administrator and in 2014 was appointed as Finance Manager. He qualified as a Chartered Management Accountant in 2012 and studied for this professional qualification under full-sponsorship from the company.
+44 (0)20 7337 9920
Email Ian Lloyd here
Colin Burke
Finance Director and Company Secretary
Colin has been an integral part of THFC for 17 years, becoming a member of the board in 2014. After qualifying as a Chartered Accountant with Deloitte, Colin spent 15 years undertaking Financial Controller roles at various large publishing and media outlets (including: Trinity Mirror, Sky and News International). He has had an impressive career spanning over 30 years within the financial sector.
+44 (0)20 7337 9920
Email Colin Burke here
Sharon Woodward
Credit & Portfolio Risk Analyst
Sharon joined THFC in January 2017. She is ACA qualified, with a BSc in Chemistry & Management, and an MSc in International Business. She worked for two years with Smith & Williamson in their “recovery and reorganisation” division, before spending 5 years in a similar role at Grant Thornton. For the last 6 years she has been a Senior Analyst at RBS in their Financial Analysis Team covering among other sectors, healthcare (care homes), Retail, Pubs & Hotels, and Commercial Real Estate.
Email Sharon Woodward here
Andrew Lynch
Credit and Risk Manager
Andy Lynch joined THFC in 2015, having spent the previous 3 years as Head of Credit for the Public Sector (including Social Housing) at Barclays. Prior to this, Andy spent 5 years with Clydesdale & Yorkshire Bank where he was Head of Credit for the South of England, and latterly Head of Credit Training. His initial banking career was also with Barclays, where he worked for 25 years in relationship and credit roles.
+44 (0)20 7337 9920
Email Andrew Lynch here
David Stokes
Credit and Risk Director
David joined THFC in 2012, having specialised in credit risk at a number of financial institutions. Immediately prior to joining THFC he was Head of Corporate Credit at Santander UK with responsibility for the social housing, large corporates, real estate and specialised finance portfolios. His earlier career included Head of Credit positions at Bank of Ireland and Fortis Bank and a range of senior credit and relationship management roles at NatWest.
+44 (0)20 7337 9920
Email David Stokes here
Isabel Jiménez-Sinclair
Security Asset Analyst
Utilising her experience from the professional development, corporate administration and teacher training teams and the Basic Skills Agency, Isabel is highly skilled at organising and leading on tender processes for key contracts. She joined THFC in 2005 as an Executive Assistant but quickly transitioned to analysing valuation data and working on related processes (including property releases) as our Security Asset Analyst.
+44 (0)20 7337 9920
Email Isabel Jiménez-Sinclair here
Melissa Gheerawo Skilbeck
Security Asset Manager
Melissa joined The Housing Finance Corporation in January 2016 as THFC’s Security Asset Manager, having previously worked at Trowers & Hamlins for 12 years. She is a qualified solicitor with over 16 years experience in the social housing sector, including acting for the borrower and lender in various real estate finance transactions. As Security Asset Manager, Melissa is responsible for ensuring that all of the security portfolios for THFC and its associated entities remain compliant during the lifetime of the loan, as well as managing all charging exercises relating to new and existing finance with THFC’s borrowers.
+44 (0)20 7337 9920
Email Melissa Gheerawo Skilbeck here
Brendan Whitworth
Relationship Manager
Brendan joined THFC in 2013. He has enjoyed a diverse banking career beginning in 1979 at Midland bank. After which he joined the Allied Irish bank, where he led the social housing unit of the public sector and charities team, then moved to become the relationship director at the Lloyds bank social housing team, where he spent 6 years. In the past Brendan has been a board member at Golden Lane Housing, which specialises in housing people with learning disabilities, a Treasurer at the Institute for War and Peace Reporting, and a loans officer at his local credit union.
+44 (0)20 7337 9920
Email Brendan Whitworth here
Alex Bowden
Relationship Manager
Alex joined THFC in July 2018 and is a qualified corporate treasurer who has experience of working as both a lender and a borrower within the sector. Prior to this he worked as a Corporate Finance Manager at bpha for 3 years, helping them successfully raise new funding, and drive forward treasury initiatives. His lending experience has been gained during 17 years with Nationwide Building Society, the last 5 of which were as a Lending Manager in the Public Sector Team where he managed facilities for a portfolio of 50 registered providers.
+44 (0)20 7337 9920
Email Alex Bowden here
Gavin Richards
Relationship Manager
Gavin joined THFC in 2017 as a Relationship Manager. Prior to THFC he spent 27 years with The Royal Bank of Scotland plc (RBS) where he undertook various customer facing roles. During his time at RBS, Gavin built an extensive knowledge of the social housing sector. Dealing primarily with large national, small local mixed funded housing associations and Large Scale Voluntary Transfer organisations in England and Wales. In addition to managing a portfolio of customers with £2bn of borrowing requirements, he undertook significant new funding and restructures of existing terms, including helping customers move to the capital markets for the first time.
+44 (0)20 7337 9920
Email Gavin Richards here
Samuel Marlow-Stevens
ESG Strategy & Communications Manager
Samuel joined THFC in October 2019 as a Treasury & Marketing Analyst, after graduating from the University of Leeds with a First Class Honours degree in Politics. In 2022 he became ESG Strategy & Communications Manager, having developed THFC’s sustainable bond frameworks and inaugural sustainability disclosures report.
02039033886
Email Samuel Marlow-Stevens here
William Stevenson
Deputy Treasurer and Relationship Manager
Will’s housing association portfolio covers the West Midlands and the South West of the UK. On the treasury side, Will is involved in investor relations, placement of bonds and the maintenance of the group’s credit ratings. Will played a key role in the set up of bLEND Funding Plc. and pays particular attention to structuring deals to suit both housing association borrowers and investors to achieve the best results. Will was previously THFC’s Credit and Risk Analyst and holds the AMCT corporate treasury qualification.
+44 (0)20 7337 9920
Email William Stevenson here
Fenella Edge
Group Treasurer
Fenella joined THFC in 2002 and was appointed to the Board in April 2006. She also holds a position as a Non-executive Board member of Dolphin Living, a Registered Provider operating in central London. Before Joining THFC Fenella spent eleven years at Abbey National Treasury Services (ANTS). Her roles at ANTS included Director of Market Risk, Director of Financial Products and Manager, Capital Markets. Prior to joining ANTS she was at Wood Gundy, Elders Finance Group and Nikko Securities in a variety of capital markets and derivative roles.
+44 (0)20 7337 9920
Email Fenella Edge here
Piers Williamson
Chief Executive
Piers was appointed Chief Executive of THFC in 2002. He offers 30 years of valuable experience, gained across the UK, US and European financial markets. He specialises in bank treasury risk management, securitisation and the facilitation of relationships between private sector investment and government. Over his career he has acquired a host of qualifications, which span from treasury to banking.
+44 (0)20 7337 9920
Email Piers Williamson here
Piers Williamson
Chief Executive
Piers was appointed Chief Executive of THFC in October 2002 and joined its Board in 2003. He has over 35 years of experience of the UK, US and European financial markets specialising in bank treasury risk management, securitisation and the interface between private sector financing and Government. He has also recently advised the Australian Federal Treasury on setting up an equivalent bond aggregator in Australia. He holds professional qualifications in both treasury and banking and in addition to his duties at THFC served as a non-executive member of the Homes & Communities Agency’s Regulation Committee for Social Housing between 2012 and 2015. In addition to his duties at THFC, Piers also serves on the Board of Newbury Building Society where he is currently the Chair of the Risk Committee. In 2015 he received a lifetime contribution award at the Housing Association National Accountancy Awards.
Colin Burke
Finance Director
Colin has been an integral part of THFC for 14 years, becoming a member of the board in 2014. After qualifying as a Chartered Accountant with Deloitte, Colin spent 15 years undertaking Financial Controller roles at various large publishing and media outlets (including: Trinity Mirror, Sky and News International). He has had an impressive career spanning over 30 years within the financial sector.
Fenella Edge
Treasurer
Fenella joined THFC in 2002 and was appointed to the Board in April 2006. She also holds a position as a Non-executive Board member of Dolphin Living, a Registered Provider operating in central London. Before Joining THFC Fenella spent eleven years at Abbey National Treasury Services(ANTS). Her roles at ANTS included Director of Market Risk, Director of Financial Products and Manager, Capital Markets. Prior to joining ANTS she was at Wood Gundy, Elders Finance Group and Nikko Securities in a variety of capital markets and derivative roles.
Gill Payne
Chair of Remuneration Committee
Gill has worked in a verity of management and strategy roles across the private and public sector. She has worked for Eagle Star Assurance Company, the (then) Financial Services Authority, and in 2001 joined the Countryside Agency. As Director of Organisation and Development (OD) she led work to establish Natural England the Commission for Rural Communities (CRC). At the CRC, Gill was Director for OD and Communications and served as interim CEO. Gill joined the National Housing Federation in October 2011 to job-share with Ruth Davison as the Director for Policy and External Affairs and the Executive Director for Public Impact until August 2019. She was appointed to THFC’s Board as a non-executive director in 2014 and is Chair of THFC’s Remuneration Committee.
Will Perry
Chair of Nominations Committee
Will is Director of Strategy at the Regulator of Social Housing, where he is responsible for developing corporate strategy, business intelligence and regulatory policy. He is also responsible for the Regulator’s relationships with the funding markets. Will is a qualified chartered accountant, and has previously worked in social housing consultancy, corporate finance lead advisory for a top 10 firm and government audit. Will joined the Board as a non-executive director in November 2014 and is chair of THFC’s Nominations Committee.
David Montague
David served as the Chief Executive of L&Q, one of Britain’s largest housing associations, between 2008 and 2021. Over thirty-two years David has, in a number of roles, overseen the company’s growth and success through mergers, acquisitions, major regenerations schemes and development partnerships with smaller associations. A leading figure in the sector, David has been chair of the G15 and served on the board of the National Housing Federation, as well as working with successive London Mayors. In 2013 David was awarded a CBE for services to housing in London. David was appointed to the board of THFC in March 2020. He is also Chair of Joseph Homes; non-executive director of Hadley Property Group, Heylo Housing Group and the Abri Group; senior advisor to Lloyds Banking Group; and non-executive advisor to property technology company Staykeepers.
Tony King
After twenty years in the housing sector, Tony retired as Group Treasurer of Sanctuary Group in 2019. He began his career in banking, including roles at various international banks. At Sanctuary, Tony used his experience in finance to oversee the Group’s loan book and fund new housing developments and regeneration projects. Tony is a trustee of the Church of England Pension Board, a non-executive Board member of Platform Housing Group, and holds finance and audit-based committee roles for the Sunshine Centre, an Oxfordshire children’s charity, and for the Heart of Worcestershire College.
Scott Bottles
Chairman of the Credit Committee
Scott Bottles was appointed to the Board in March 2018. He served as Executive Vice President and Senior Credit Officer for International Commercial Real Estate at Wells Fargo Bank until his retirement earlier this year. He has more than 30-years of experience in the commercial and residential real estate sectors in both the United Kingdom and the United States.
Shirley Smith
Senior Independent Director
Shirley’s experience comprises over 35-years in real estate and infrastructure finance, covering debt, investment, restructuring, workout and credit with blue chip organisations (including CBRE, Citi, Barings, PwC, Lend Lease, Assured Guaranty and EY). She has an MA in Economics & Land Economy from the University of Cambridge, is a qualified Chartered Surveyor and holds a Certificate in Investments and Financial Derivatives from the Securities & Investment Institute. Shirley was until 2020 a Non-Executive Director at CREFC (Europe), the Industry Association for commercial real estate debt in Europe and is a member of the Investment Property Forum. She joined THFC’s board in March 2018 and is the Senior Independent Director.
Keith Exford
CBE
Keith was appointed to the Board in April 2011. Until he retired in April 2018, Keith Exford was the Chief Executive of Clarion Housing Group, one of the largest housing association groups in England. A member of the Chartered Institute of Housing, Keith’s career in housing spans over 40 years. He is Vice Chair of CLIC Sargent, the leading children’s and young people’s cancer charity and was awarded a CBE in 2015 for services to housing.
George Blunden
Chairman
George joined THFC as a Non-Executive Director in March 2019. His full-time career has ranged from adventure playgrounds to investment banking and fund management. For nine years George was Chair of Charity Bank, retiring in May 2019. He has also just completed his term of office as the Senior Independent Director of the insurer, Beazley Plc. He has also been deeply involved in social housing Chairing Southern Housing Group from 1993 to 2006 and Stonewater, one of the UK’s largest housing associations since 2010. George stood down as Chair of Stonewater in October 2019. He is also chair of Revitalise, a charity providing holidays for disabled people and their carers.
Guy Thomas
Chairman of Audit Committee
Guy is a Chartered Accountant and Chartered Director with over 30 years’ experience in the financial services industry. Prior to this executive retirement he was Group Finance Director of Principality Building Society, a lender to housing associations. A fellow of The Association of Corporate Treasurers, he has extensive experience in treasury and risk management. Guy is currently a Non-Executive Director of Sainsbury’s Bank where he is Chair of the Risk Committee and a member of the Audit Committee. He is also Chair of Penhurst Properties Limited. He was appointed to the Board in May 2019.
Deborah Shackleton
CBE
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