Introducing our newest Board members

We have made seven new appointments to our Board structure as well as appointing a new trainee following a successful recruitment exercise, carried out earlier this year.

Ongo is made up of housing, commercial and community-based companies. Each area has its own Board of Executive and Non-Executive Directors who meet throughout the year.

Our Board Members are responsible for the strategic oversight of Ongo and setting the vision for the group. Some members sit on more than one Board or Committee, depending on their skills and expertise.

The Board Trainee programme runs in conjunction with Housing Diversity Network (HDN).  The purpose of the programme is to recruit potential future Board Members from a wide background.  Trainees are given skills and knowledge over a two year programme to enable them to apply for Board vacancies. 

Our Board Members serve for a fixed number of years, following the organisation’s chosen code of governance.  Earlier this year some of our Board Members stepped down after serving their full term of office and replacements were recruited. 

This recruitment comes after we consolidated our group in March 2023, making us the new parent entity in control and reducing the number of companies to simplify operations.

Steve Hepworth, Chief Exec said: “Creating strong and diverse Boards is a priority for us. It’s essential for our decision making and supporting our aim of maintaining the top regulatory rating of V1 for financial viability and G1 status for governance.”

“We’re delighted to welcome our new members and trainees. Their wealth of experience and fresh perspectives will be invaluable as we continue to grow and innovate.”

Our new Board Members include:

• Nicola Heywood-Cleverly
  Ongo Homes Board Member and Member of Governance & Remuneration Committee
  • Nicola, with an engineering background, has expertise in technology and digital transformation in the public sector, including roles as Chief Digital and Information Officer in the NHS and policing. Neurodiverse and with personal experience in caring and single-parent families, she advocates for ethical data use to address inequalities.
• Matt Sugden 
  Ongo Homes Board Member and Member of Ongo Commercial Board
  • Matt is the Chief Executive of Railway Housing Association in the Northeast and Yorkshire. With nearly 20 years in social housing, he previously served as Executive Director of Governance and Strategy at Accent Housing. Matt, originally a solicitor, has held various executive and non-executive roles, including a statutory appointee for the Regulator of Social Housing.
• Tracy O’Neill
  Ongo Homes Board Member and Member of Ongo Developments Board
  • Tracy is a fully qualified social housing professional with over 35 years of experience in housing and two decades spent in senior leadership roles. She has a drive for social inclusion, community regeneration and ensuring that the customer voice is heard across the business. Tracy was previously an Independent Member of our Governance & Remuneration Committee.  
• Tom Pratt
  Independent Member of Ongo Commercial Board
  • Tom is an experienced business leader with over 20 years in marketing and strategy across various sectors. Since founding Albert Road Consulting Ltd in 2017, he has led transformative campaigns for global brands. As Chair and Trustee of the Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust, Tom provides leadership, governance support, and helps maintain a strong board.
• Judith Tomlinson
  Co-opted to Ongo Homes Board
  • As a current Ongo Homes tenant, Judith understands the issues affecting our customers and helps bring the customer voice to the heart of Boardroom discussions.  Judith was co-opted to Ongo Homes Board to help strengthen the customer voice at the highest level of decision making.  She has a background in customer services, was previously a manager for British Gas and is a trained wages clerk.
• Ovidiu Staicu
  Independent member of Ongo Developments Board
  • Ovidiu, originally from Romania, has lived and worked in both Romania and the UK, settling locally in 2015. He holds a Master’s in Business Administration from Birmingham Business School and undergraduate degrees in Mechanical Engineering and Economics.
• Lisa Whelan
  Independent Member of Governance & Remuneration Committee
  • Lisa started her career in the charity sector providing advice, casework and representation on housing and debt related matters. She is a qualified social housing professional. She has over 10 years housing management experience with a focus on performance and improvement in the delivery of services for customers.  Lisa completed our two year trainee programme delivered in association with HDN. 
• Charmaine Mande
  Board Trainee
  • Charmaine is an experienced management professional with over 20 years in industries like retail and hospitality. Originally from St. Lucia, Charmaine holds a BA in Business and an MBA. She has also served as PTA President and Vice President at her son’s schools demonstrating her commitment to community and education.

To find out more about our Boards, visit here.

---