Our Board
Meet the people who oversee the running of Homes in Somerset
The Board at Homes in Somerset oversees the running of the organisation and is made up of an experienced team of tenants, councillors and independent members.
The Board works with the Executive Team on the current and future priorities of the business.
Members
Paul Stephenson
Chair of the Board
Paul worked for 37 years working in community housing, the last 15 at Cheltenham Borough Homes, with the last eight as CEO and is also the Chair of the Board for the National Federation of ALMOs.
His passion is about investing in people and communities. He volunteers as Chair of the Gloucestershire Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) Panel, working with representatives from multiple agencies to address one of the objectives of the Health and Wellbeing Strategy.
Paul lives in Gloucestershire, has two adult children, enjoys watching sport and is a keen walker and reader.
Lance Duddridge
Councillor
Lance is a member of the Conservative Party and is Councillor for Bridgwater Victoria ward.
Bridgwater born, Lance is a greengrocer by trade. He is also a strong supporter of local charities.
Kathy Pearce
Councillor/Mayor of Bridgwater
Kathy has been a district councillor for 21 years.
Kathy chaired the Community Scrutiny Committee at Sedgemoor District Council and is a Bridgwater Town Councillor with interest in the environment, climate emergency and eliminating fuel poverty.
Kathy’s working background was in special educational needs. Nowadays, besides being a councillor, Kathy has returned to college to study Horticulture and is a part-time, self-employed gardener.
Marie Hide
Homes in Somerset Tenant
Marie joined the Homes in Somerset Board in 2015 and also serves as the Chair of Homes in Somerset’s Audit Committee.
She has two grown up children, and is kept busy with her dog – a husky cross called Spirit, and a gargoyle gecko named Nyx. Marie has a passion for cars and motorbikes and she chose to get involved with Homes in Somerset to drive forward positive change.
Paul Hackett
Independent Board Member
Paul has more than 22 years’ experience of social housing finance with a background across both local authorities and housing associations. His main specialism is financial analysis, in particular supporting organisations in building their future plans.
Paul has also worked at director level in several Registered Providers of Social Housing. He currently operates as an associate consultant with 2Tix.
Independent
Oliver attended Cardiff University and earnt a degree and post graduate Diploma in Town Planning, qualifying in 1998 as a Member of the Royal Town Planning Institute. He started work in Local Government, and has since worked in land/ planning roles for various PLC/ SME housebuilders including management/ Regional Board positions and planning consultancy in Manchester, South Wales & South West England. An active RTPI Member and volunteer for Planning Aid.
Away from work, he is a keen cricketer and a Director/ Committee member of his local cricket club and Secretary of Bideford 41 Club. A keen open water swimmer & long distance runner, he has completed 3 marathons for charity. Oliver has a grown up son and lives in North Devon with his wife and 1 year old Labrador Neville.
Sarah O’Neill
Board Member
Sarah is a portfolio non-executive director (NED) and chair. With considerable commercial experience and a strong consumer focus. She has a strong personal interest in the housing sector and is a NED for Housing Diversity Network, a Diversity and Inclusion advocacy organisation in the housing sector, something she is passionate about. She is deeply committed to Carbon Neutrality & Sustainability, completing Climate Reality training with Al Gore. Additionally, she is the South-West ambassador for NEDonBoard, the Institute of Board Members. Outside of work her interests include travel, theatre and spending time with her rescue cat and husband. Sarah is the current Chair of the Sedgemoor Tenants Assurance Committee.
Pauline Ham
Councillor/Mayor of Axbridge
Pauline has lived in Axbridge since 1982 and has three children. She has been involved with various voluntary groups and has worked in a local school for more than 30 years. She is passionate about community and providing and maintaining affordable housing for local people.
As a member of Axbridge Town Council since 1994, she is proud to have been Mayor of Axbridge on three separate occasions. She was involved in producing the Neighbourhood Plan for Axbridge, and more recently she was elected to Somerset Council.
Federica Smith-Roberts
Co-Optee
I am delighted to join the Homes in Somerset Board, my experience is eclectic due to having being councillor in local government for just over 12 years, having been the Leader of Somerset West and Taunton Council and now Lead Member for Communities on Somerset Council.
Alongside this I work within the financial sector as a manager in a local Health Insurer. I am passionate about helping vulnerable individuals and have founded a charity supporting displaced people locally and across the world. Building and maintaining good quality homes for individuals and families is strong aim of mine and I am keen to support Homes in Somerset and be part of delivering our vision for our tenants.