About Us
Meet the Team Shropshire Rural has a small team of staff, dedicated to doing the best job they can in support of the Association’s ambitions. We will seek the support of others when we need it: in designing, constructing maintaining and repairing our homes and in the many other aspects of running a housing association. We carefully select who we work with but by keeping our own team small and only seeking help when we need it, we are able to keep our operating costs low. However good the policies, systems and processes, it is a universal truth that ‘people make the difference’. The people making up Shropshire Rural’s staff are:
John has recently joined the Association as Chief Executive, bringing over 30 years experience in the housing and charity sectors. A Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Housing, John began his housing career in Liverpool in the 1980s, gaining experience in housing management and community investment, followed by roles in development and supported housing. In his spare time, John can be found following his football team – Liverpool or playing golf – badly!
The Association’s Finance Director since July 2017, having previously been the Head of Finance at Shropshire Housing Group, an organisation Kate served for nearly 20 years. Prior to this Kate qualified as a Chartered Accountant , having become interested in the business side of farming whilst completing a degree in Agriculture at Harper Adams University. Away from work, in addition to spending time with her family, Kate enjoys walking the dog, exploring the footpaths around Clun and helping do up their old house.
Annette provides housing management and support services; principally to older residents who benefit from her skills, knowledge and experience gained in her current role and with one of the country’s largest providers of specialist accommodation for older people. Originally from Yorkshire, Annette devotes much of her ‘free time’ to her family and, when she can, to travel.
Phil McVeigh joined Shropshire Rural Housing Association in March 2019 having worked in social housing since 1990 and is a Corporate Member of the Chartered Institute of Housing. He started his housing career with Shrewsbury and Atcham Borough Council and has worked primarily in debt recovery but also has experience in dealing with complaints for a number of organisations. Away from work, he is a qualified Scuba diver and has dived all over the world with his favourite dive site being Scapa Flow in the Orkney Islands.
Linda has responsibility for letting our homes and for day-to-day management of our tenancies. With a background in supported housing for homeless and vulnerable people prior to joining Shropshire Rural, Linda is now the Association’s longest-serving member of staff, with extensive experience on which to draw. When not serving Shropshire Rural, Linda is generally to be found spending time with her family, enjoying the great outdoors and tending her garden.
Stuart is the Association’s technical lead, responsible for ensuring Shropshire Rural’s properties are repaired, maintained and improved. Stuart has a background in building construction and particular experience of renewable energy and of adapting homes to meet the needs of those with disabilities. Away from work, Stuart’s interests include historic buildings and building restoration, outdoor activities and travel.
Wendy plays a key role in making the business run smoothly. Providing wide-ranging support to staff, Board and Committee members, Wendy is often perceived as ‘the voice of Shropshire Rural’; answering telephone calls and welcoming visitors to the office. A ‘Lancashire lass’ now well settled in Shrewsbury, Wendy’s activities away from work include being a part-time safety steward at Shrewsbury Town FC and playing bowls competitively.
E-mail: wendy.wainwright@shropshirerural.co.uk
Owner of Communities Can, a community development company, and Social Value and Inclusion Manager at The Wrekin Housing Group. A former local government Chief Officer and Board member of Shropshire Rural since December 2015. Chair of the Association since September 2020.
Clerk to multiple Parish Councils, received the MBE for voluntary service to the local community in Waters Upton. Vice Chair of the Association’s, Chair of Human Resources Committee and Vice Chair of the Association’s Housing Management Committee.
Current Board member of UK Ultimate Limited. Chair of the Association’s Development and Finance Committee.
Celia has lived in Shropshire since 1993 and has worked at a senior level in several Shropshire Councils. Her main focus has been to foster effective partnership working between organisations and agencies actives in the community, to deliver evidence based improvement in quality and outcomes across a range of issues, including health, safer communities, economic and environmental sustainability. Celia is proud to be a Board member of the Association as the provision of quality affordable homes is challenging but essential to ensure that rural communities thrive. She is currently part of a working group committed to working with and listening to our tenants to influence the way the Association manages their homes and builds for the future. In her spare time she like to keep active and loves a good walk in the Shropshire countryside.
BOARD MEMBER
Tracy has worked in social housing for over 30 years with the majority of that time spent at Homes England. I worked alongside Local Authorities and Registered Providers to enable the delivery of new affordable housing. I was the Rural Champion for the Midlands and have a passion for delivery of much needed housing in villages, which supports local services and provides homes for local people. I currently work, part-time, as Programme & Compliance Lead for a Registered Provider in the West Midlands. Tracy has two grown up children and enjoy spending time in her small but beautiful garden.
I’ve been a member of Shropshire Rural Housing Association for over 20 years, spending some time as Chairman of the Housing Management Committee. I am a strong support of affordable housing for local people living and working in Shropshire and also providing housing for the elderly to enable them to stay in the area they have lived or to receive support from family nearby. I am a qualified NNEB (Nursery Nurse) and am a diary farmer in South East Shropshire.
Mathew is currently a Place Plan Officer at Shropshire Council. Mathew has worked for over 20 years within Local Government in Shropshire, including the County Museum Service, public transport and community engagement, working closely with Town and Parish Council and communities in South Shropshire.
BOARD MEMBER
Paul is a chartered surveyor having started his career in quantity surveying and project management. Paul has acquired a wide range of experience in project delivery encompassing retail, offices, and housing. Paul has also worked extensively in affordable housing being involved in all aspects of development, asset management, compliance and in-house contracting. His experience involves affordable housing delivery and has a specialism in community-led delivery. Paul had a breadth of property knowledge maintaining assets, adding value to existing assets, acquiring and developing land to maximise returns to business, community and customers. Paul leads his own consultancy, Bratch Consultancy Services Limited providing property and commercial advice to a range of clients in housing, insurance and commercial settings.
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