Twin Valley Homes Ltd - somewhere to live in Blackburn, place to live in blackburn, house to rent

The Management Team

Phil Richards - Group Chief Executive

The Prospect Homes Group was formed in October 2006 and is led by Group Chief Executive, Phil Richards. Phil was formerly Chief Executive of Twin Valley Homes, and was instrumental in helping the organisation to significantly out-perform its original business plan since the stock transfer in 2001. In terms of regulation the Company has consistently been awarded "green" traffic lights in their Annual Housing Corporation Assessment. In 2004 Twin Valley Homes was inspected by the Audit Commission and were accredited with a 2 star “good” organisation rating with Promising Prospects for Improvement. In 2005 Twin Valley Homes were proud to be recognised as one of the top 50 Best Work Places in the UK. Phil has also ensured Twin Valley Homes has achieved other external accreditations such as Charter Mark and Investors in People. As the winner of the 2003 Unisys & Management Today Service Excellence Award for public sector organisations, the high quality of service was recognised on a national stage. Phil was previously Director of Housing at Blackburn With Darwen Borough Council and has over 25 year senior management experience.
Kevin Ruth - Executive Director & Deputy Group Chief Executive	back to top

Kevin is a fully qualified accountant with a wealth of experience in business management at a senior level. As Executive Director Kevin takes the lead role at Twin Valley Homes aligning the company’s business objectives with its customer focused ethos. He has played a key role in the development of the company, delivering on its key objectives, ensuring its success and establishing its reputation as an effectively managed and viable organisation. Kevin also undertakes a wider role as Executive Director and Deputy Group Chief Executive in ensuring Twin Valley Homes and its partner organisations operate in an effective corporate manner. Prior to joining Twin Valley Homes as Director of Resources he has been a Manager at HACAS Chapman Hendy, a leading firm of consultants in the social housing field where he joined in 1998. Previously he has a track record of success and considerable experience of working in large organisations at a variety of senior levels. Kevin has gained extensive experience advising Councils and newly created housing companies during the stock transfer process and beyond. His experience includes strategy development, business planning, project management and appraisals, organisational development and motivation & performance management. In his spare time Kevin enjoys golfing, rambling and is a keen football supporter.
Mark Dunford - Executive Director (Corporate Services)	back to top

Mark has over 20 years experience in the public and RSL sector and has worked for Twin Valley Homes since transfer in 2001. Mark qualified as an accountant in 1992 and is the Group’s Executive Director responsible for all aspects of finance, ITC, human resources, legal and performance management. Mark has played a key role in building the relationship with the Company’s key external stakeholders in particular its funders (The Royal Bank of Scotland) and the Housing Corporation. This has enabled Twin Valley Homes to recently refinance its loan facility to embark on an extensive development programme and invest significant resources in its asset management strategy. It also ensured that the transfer and financing of Housing Pendle was completed within the expected timeframe.

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The Executive Management Team are supported by 6 Heads of Service

John Hargreaves - Head of Property Management

After graduating from Salford University in 1979 with a degree in Building, John joined Alfred McAlpine, a national building contractor, as a trainee surveyor. After 5 years he moved on and pursued his career with Blackpool Borough Council in the Borough Surveyor`s department. He later joined Bolton Metro as a surveyor in the Housing Department, leaving them in 1987 for a similar position with Blackburn Borough Council. Further promotion followed and by 1996 John became the manager of the Planned Maintenance Section. With the large scale voluntary transfer of the Council`s housing stock to Twin Valley Homes in 2001, John was appointed to the position of Asset Manager, controlling multi-million investments into the newly acquired stock. He was promoted to Head of Property Management in 2006.
Catherine Proctor - Head of Service Development	back to top

Responsible for performance information, communication and training activities within Twin Valley Homes, Catherine Proctor has worked in the housing association sector for over ten years, concentrating on performance improvement and customer service delivery projects. An experienced manager with a background in the highly competitive commercial ports sector, Catherine brings her performance assessment and development skills to TVH to promote excellent service delivery to all of our customers and partner organisations. Catherine is an associate of the British Association of Communicators in Business (CiB) and the Chartered Institute of Management.
Michelle Allott - Head of Finance	back to top

Michelle is a qualified accountant responsible for the finance, IT and debt recovery teams at Twin Valley Homes. Michelle likes to take an active role in Housing Finance and represents Twin Valley Homes on the North West Regional Finance Group at the National Housing Federation. She has also been responsible for providing financial support to Greater Manchester Jewish Housing Association. Prior to joining in 2001, her experience has been gained working for North British Housing and Progress Housing Group where her involvement was in all aspects of accountancy, treasury management and system implementation.
Ian Elwers - Head of Central Services	back to top

A Chartered Memeber of CIPD, Ian has over 20 years experience in a wide range of personnel roles both in the private and public sectors. He has contributed at a senior level to the development of personnel policies which reflect legal requirements and best practice. He also has considerable experience of the legal and practical implications of organisational change, including transfers in accordance with TUPE regulations and recruitment at senior management level.
Ian Bell - Head of Housing	back to top

Ian is an experienced manager having worked in the Social Housing Sector for over 25 years. He has managed Housing Management Services and Supported Housing Services for many years. As a member of several local Boards and Steering Groups e.g. Community Safety Partnership, Neighbourhood Pathfinders Care Network Board and the Supporting People Forum, he is able to give the strategic insight necessary for the Company’s services to operate with best interests of its customers. Ian has been instrumental in the introduction of Supporting People, the successful Audit Commission Inspection and gaining CharterMark status. He is particularly pleased of the Company’s significant contribution to services for homeless people in the Borough. He has been a qualified member of the Institute of Housing since 1986.
Glen Finch - Head of Regeneration	back to top

Highly experienced in stock transfer, Glen brings a blend of management and consultation skills to the team. Over the last 5 years, Glen has been instrumental in Twin Valley Homes’ successful move into new build development. Glen has been successful in attracting over £10 million of external funds to support the company’s asset management strategy. Glen is responsible for Responsive Repairs Services, Stock Reduction Programme and developing the company’s Regeneration activities and is currently project managing the establishment of an in-house workforce.