Barnet Homes

Chair of the Board and leaseholders’ representative Vi Britchfield moved to the area in 1956. She first worked for the then Barnet District Council in the Treasurer’s Department. In 1965 she transferred to Education to be responsible for the administration of school meals. She later became responsible for the Personnel section for all non-teaching staff. Vi brings her huge experience of human resources to the Board.

David Atta has lived in Barnet for more than 25 years. With a professional background in global marketing and communications, David believes all residents should feel engaged with the Board and the decisions taken on their behalf. David believes that communication can always be improved and is best not judged simply by quantity but quality. David also brings extensive experience of cross party Parliamentary lobbying and campaigning, primarily in the cause of civil liberties.

Angela Purcell has been heavily involved with Barnet Homes since its inception and was one of the founding members of its resident Performance Advisory Group. She has lived in Barnet for more than 30 years. Previous experience includes working in the Civil Service Cabinet office and as a Primary Care Development Manager. She is committed to continuing to raise standards at Barnet Homes, develop tenant engagement, increase partnership working and cut cases of domestic violence.

 

Terry Rogers OCE FCIH JP is Vice Chair of the Board. He is a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Housing with over 35 years experience of public sector housing. Until taking early retirement in 2005, he was Director of Community Services for the City of London, which included looking after the Corporation’s housing stock. He also led a multi-disciplinary group to reduce homelessness in London, for which he was awarded an OBE. He has been a magistrate for 15 years and is currently deputy chairman of the City of London Bench, a trustee of the charity Help the Homeless, an ambassador for Crisis and chairman of the Garden Suburb Theatre.  Terry has lived in the borough for most of his life and, having worked for the Barnet Housing department for several years, has a good knowledge of the estates and the needs of residents.

Councillor Ross Houston is the Labour Spokesperson on Housing and Community Safety on Barnet Council. Ross is deputy head of housing for an affordable housing landlord, as well as vice chair of a regeneration partnership, chair of a healthy community project partnership, and a board member of a housing association and of a community centre charity. Ross is also a governor at two Barnet schools. His priorities are to ensure that Barnet Homes continues to deliver its Decent Homes programme, successfully manages its tenancies on the regeneration estates working with its partners, and that oversees continued improvement in its service to tenants and leaseholders.

Councillor Brian Schama who represents Mill Hill ward. Biography to follow.

Sharon Slotnick was elected to the Board in December 2005, having lived in Barnet for over eight years. With a background in legal advocacy and community organising, Sharon sees her priorities as raising standards and increasing resources. She believes directors must build on what is good and effective and improve on what is not working in the housing and communities we serve.

Bob Colquhoun is a qualified accountant who has spent most of his career in finance and management in the private sector, both in the UK and overseas. Bob became involved in social housing just over ten years ago and currently holds the position of Assistant Director of Audit and Risk with the Sovereign Housing Group, one of the UK's largest housing providers. Bob's aim as a Board member is to use his finance skills to help Barnet Homes and its residents through what is likely to be a time of extreme challenge and change.

 
An ex-resident of Barnet who now lives just over the border, John Macfarlane has previously been chair of Penta, a local housing association in Barnet (now part of Adepta). Has worked in housing for over 25 years, for organisations who have strong links with the borough, and brings experience in IT, Development and Regeneration, and Customer Services to the Board. He wants to ensure customers of Barnet Homes can influence and are satisfied with the services they receive.

Charmaine Young CBE FRSA originally trained in building construction and has worked for nearly 40 years in urban regeneration and housing. Her early career involved over 15 years in local government for Birmingham City Council and then Sheffield City Council, where she was Assistant Director of Housing. Charmaine has got to know Barnet well over the last five years and has contributed to the Colindale area framework, which incorporates the Grahame Park Estate area, as well as a major development, Beaufort Park, which is being undertaken by the company she works for - St George Plc. For many years she has provided policy comment for local, regional and national government, as well as masterclasses for the Academy of Sustainable Communities. In 2003 she was awarded a CBE for her work in urban regeneration.