The Board

Appointed to the Board in 2021, Leanne has over 24 years public sector experience in social housing, homelessness, community development, health, wellbeing and leisure services within local government and the NHS. Leanne is currently a Deputy Locality Director for NHS Nottingham and Nottinghamshire Integrated Care Board, leading on transformation programmes and integration of health and social care as a systems leader within the Nottinghamshire Integrated Care System (ICS). Leanne also jointly owns a limited training company.

Paul has over 20 years' experience in social housing, having worked in housing associations as a customer services manager and an executive director, as well as being deputy chief executive of two local authorities with responsibility for housing and assets. Bringing experience in performance and digital service improvements as well as aspects of compliance and safety, Paul is also on the board of a small housing association within the East Midlands that provides sheltered accommodation for the elderly.

Appointed to the Board in 2021 Andrew is an experienced finance professional who has spent the bulk of his career working in the social housing sector.
Recently retired, his most recent role was Executive Director – Finance with East Midlands Housing Group, where he led the Finance, Treasury and ICT teams.

Mohammed is passionate about performance management, leadership and delivering excellence. He has an MA in Housing Policy and Practice and has a career spanning 20 years in the social housing sector. He has worked extensively throughout the Midlands and in London across housing services, asset investment and regeneration. He is currently Head of Asset Development for Metropolitan Thames Valley Housing.

Appointed to the Board in September 2022 Gill is an experienced senior manager with over 30 years of public sector practice. She has an extensive track record of delivery in housing, economic and physical regeneration and partnership working for the benefit of communities and business. She has led on the delivery of several award-winning sustainable developments in Nottingham. Gill owns a consultancy business supporting local authorities in the areas of economic and physical regeneration.

Natalie is a Solicitor and Lecturer at Nottingham Law School, teaching across undergraduate and postgraduate courses. Prior to taking on the role of law lecturer, Natalie’s had several different roles in the legal industry, predominantly as a practising solicitor. Natalie has a history of working in local and central government prior to and following her qualification as a solicitor. She remains an active member of the Solicitors Regulation Authority.

Natalie’s also undertaken extensive volunteering at local, national, and international levels alongside any full-time employment. Many of these roles involved representing and advocating on behalf of young people, often lobbying the UK and European parliaments to bring policy change. Natalie continues to engage in community volunteering and networking, largely based around law, politics and equality, diversity and inclusion.

Jan is an experienced housing and repairs professional, having held senior management roles in local authority and ALMO settings for the last 15 years.

Jan has particular specialisms in housing regulation and policy, performance management, customer engagement and asset management. Jan is a Nottingham resident and is currently Service Manager in Sheffield City Council’s Repairs and Maintenance service.

Nick has over 35 years’ experience in social housing, delivering customer-focused services, developing communities, driving performance, and working in partnership. 

Nick’s career has included working for local authorities, housing associations and government bodies. Core to his experience is housing management, care and support services and tackling homelessness. Nick is now a social housing consultant specialising in strategic reviews of supported housing, homelessness strategies and regulatory compliance.

Raj has Board and Committee memberships across several housing associations, as well as Leeds Credit Union. Raj is also a Board member and Chair of the Audit Risk Committee at HTS Group.  

Raj's background is in financial services where he held positions of Financial Controller and Chief Risk Officer covering large, complex, and regulated investment banks.  Along with his knowledge of the housing sector he brings expertise in finance, risk management, regulation, stress testing, business transformation, and environmental and social governance.

Cherie White is the founder and CEO of Think for the Future, a social enterprise partnering with schools nationwide to deliver 'in-house' Inclusion Centre's that measurably improve behaviour, engagement and outcomes for young people. She also leads Purple, TFTF’s education data analytics platform, which gives schools and trusts live, impact led reporting to inform faster, better decisions. Recognised on Forbes 30 Under 30 for Social Impact and as a Grant Thornton Face of a Vibrant Economy, Cherie combines mission focus with disciplined, data driven execution. Brought up in social housing, she is passionate about strengthening communities and widening opportunity. She joined the NCHA Board to apply her specialism in delivering social impact and to support a fantastic organisation.

Appointed to the board in September 2025, Richard is an experienced business leader with an entrepreneurial background in IT, most recently as co-founder and Chief Operating Officer of a successful Nottingham head-quartered IT Managed Services Provider. Having worked in the IT industry for over 25 years he has supported both public and private sector businesses, bringing a broad, cross-sector perspective on digital strategy and risk.