Our Exec Team

Steve Hepworth, Chief Executive

Steve Hepworth took over as our Chief Executive in April 2018, although has a wealth of experience working for Ongo, being Operations Director before securing the Chief Executive role.

In fact, he has worked here since we formed as North Lincolnshire Homes in 2007. North Lincolnshire Homes rebranded as Ongo in 2012. Previously, whilst working for North Lincolnshire Council, Steve led the team responsible for consultation with tenants that resulted in the formation of North Lincolnshire Homes as a housing association and the transfer of 10,000 homes from the council.

In total, Steve has over 30 years of experience in social housing – starting his career as a Rent Recovery Officer at Wakefield Metropolitan District Council back in 1990.

Jo Sugden, Director of Corporate & Compliance Services

Jo became our Director of Corporate and Compliance Services in 2018 having worked for Ongo from the first day it was formed in 2007 (as North Lincolnshire Homes). In fact, Jo was part of the transfer team which led the transfer of homes from North Lincolnshire Council and established the new business.

Jo has responsibility for the following areas: governance, corporate services, health & safety and compliance, equality, diversity & inclusion, customer engagement, strategy & policy, PR & marketing, value for money and procurement, people & culture. Jo is also the Company Secretary and the named person with responsibility for Consumer Standards. She is also the person responsible for Health and Safety. 

Her career began in HR, firstly at North Lincolnshire Council and then at Ongo. Jo is not only a Chartered Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel & Development and Level 5 qualified with the Institute of Management, she’s also a Board Member with Berneslai Homes. When not at work, she can usually be found at the stables with her three horses, or generally enjoying the great outdoors.

Kevin Hornsby, Director of Customer Services

Kevin is responsible for the following areas: customer service, lettings, tenancy services including customer support/ enforcement/ income collection/ housing management, complaints and our communities service including Ongo Recruitment, employment support/ training and mental health support. He is also responsible for our two community buildings The Arc and Viking Centre.

His remit also oversees our wider approach to investing £1million per year into local communities. He is also a Board Member and Deputy Chair at Lincs Rural Housing Association.

Having joined the company in 2019, Kevin has worked for many national and local landlords across the North East and Midlands before joining Ongo.

Beginning his career as an Internal Auditor at Gentoo, Kevin became passionate about housing and shortly after became a Neighbourhood Support Officer, taking the step into frontline housing. Kevin now has more than 20 years’ experience in the housing sector and is committed to delivering excellent customer service.

Ashley Harrison, Director of Resources & Commercial Services

Ashley looks after the finance, IT and commercial areas of the business. He has the overall responsibility for the financial viability of the organisation and all financial business planning.

He has vast experience in working in the financial sector and is a member of the Association of Chartered Certified and of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants. He joined Ongo in 2015, initially joining as Head of Finance, before becoming Director of Resources and Commercial Services in 2018 after a short spell as interim Director.

A family man and part-time golfer, Ashley gets a buzz from the great bunch of people he works with at Ongo.

Steve Ellard, Director of Property

Steve joined us in July 2024 as our Director of Property. He has overall responsibility for the following areas: repairs and maintenance, empty homes, planned work and improvements, neighbourhood services, compliance, and developments.

Coming from Director of Assets and Sustainability at Yorkshire Housing, Steve brings a wealth of knowledge in the sector, specialising in strategic planning, investment and environmental sustainability.