Our Board

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 in what he prefers to call “community housing”, until his retirement in 2020. Having worked in the housing association sector for 22 years, Paul then spent his last 15 years at Cheltenham Borough Homes ALMO with the last 8 years as Chief Executive.

Paul is also Chair of the Board for our trade body, the National Federation of ALMO’s (NFA). This voluntary role is representative of all ALMO’s , working alongside the Managing Director and his team at a national level.

Paul has always been passionate about investing in people and communities, having actively been involved in many partnership working arrangements, mainly addressing trauma and adverse childhood experiences.

Paul lives in Gloucestershire, has two adult daughters, 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

Somerset Councillor for Bridgwater South

Kathy has been a district councillor for 27 years.

Kathy chairs the Somerset North Planning Committee and is a Bridgwater Town Councillor (Bridgwater Westover Ward). 

She has special interests in the environment/horticulture and climate emergency.

Kathy’s working background was in special educational needs and disability (SEND).

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.

Sarah O’Neill

Board Member

Sarah is a portfolio Board Member and Chair, with considerable commercial experience and a strong consumer focus. She has a strong personal interest in the housing sector and serves as a Board Member for both North Devon Homes and the Housing Diversity Network, a diversity and inclusion advocacy organisation within the sector, which she is passionate about.

She is deeply committed to carbon neutrality and sustainability, having completed 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 also 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. 

Craig Green

Tenant Board Member

I have been a Homes in Somerset tenant for eight years and live in Burnham with my dog, Bob. For the past three years, I’ve served as a member of the Sedgemoor Tenant Assurance Committee (STAC), including the last 12 months as Vice Chair. During this time, I’ve actively contributed to the Service Improvement Panel, procurement processes, estate walks, scrutiny sessions, and complaint panels.

My involvement has deepened my interest and knowledge of the social housing sector, and I am passionate about ensuring tenant voices are heard. I look forward to joining the Board, working collaboratively with the team, and helping shape the future direction of Homes in Somerset. My goal is to represent tenants’ perspectives and experiences while supporting opportunities that strengthen our communities.