Neil has over 21 years’ experience within the public sector, managing the delivery of a variety of community-focussed services ranging from arts, sport and leisure to housing, neighbourhood renewal, neighbourhood management and community development.
Neil is committed to improving the lives of citizens and communities, particularly those that are deprived and disadvantaged. Neil has an excellent track record and reputation of engagement, partnership working, community development and supporting communities.
Neil also has a keen interest in health & wellbeing, fitness and sports therapy and he is a qualified fitness instructor, sport therapist and sports masseuse.
A strong advocate for social support and development activity, Neil decided to commit some of his time to become one of Spring’s Board of Directors because of Spring Housing Association’s ethos which is to provide high quality housing options for the most vulnerable within communities, namely those at risk of homelessness and in addition providing supportive pathways into employment, training and advice.
Darren has more than 20 years’ experience in B2B marketing of IT products and services and specialises in helping SME develop and grow their businesses . He is currently Head of Marketing for Syscomm, a Managed Services IT company in Coventry. Prior to that he was working as a Visiting Lecturer at Birmingham City University, teaching Strategy, Marketing, and Leadership courses at both Undergraduate and Masters level. He has also been an entrepreneur, opening a small chain of coffee shops across Worcestershire. He is also Chair of Radio Lollipop Birmingham, a charity that provides care, comfort, play and entertainment for sick children at Birmingham Children’s Hospital. Originally from Canada, Darren came over to do his MBA at the London Business School, still plays ice hockey, and occasionally manages to pluck a few notes on his double bass.
Neelam has worked in the voluntary sector for 14 years. She has experience of both managing a frontline homeless service and as a key strategic lead for homelessness across the West Midlands. Neelam has worked extensively across the region influencing service improvement and facilitating systems change to prevent and tackle homelessness.
Neelam has expert knowledge in tackling rough sleeping, multiple needs, influencing policy and practice, strategic development, capacity building and working in partnerships.
Neelam has previously served as an Executive Member on the West Midlands Voluntary & Community Sector Housing Network and West Midlands Supported Housing Network.
David is a qualified accountant with over twenty years’ experience of social housing and charity finance.
In 2016 David became Director of Resources at Watmos Community Homes, a tenant led housing association, with homes in London and the West Midlands, having previously been Director of Finance & Corporate Services at Black Country Housing Group. David’s current role includes finance, treasury, HR, ICT, governance and development.
Before joining BCHG David had been Deputy FD at Accord Group and earlier Head of Financial Planning at the Orbit Group.
David is also a Trustee/non-executive director Of Kaleidoscope Plus Group, a mental health charity in West Bromwich.
Andy is an experienced and respected professional advisor to housing associations and other housing bodies. He has a long track record as a solicitor, focusing on governance, strategy, confidential investigations, employment and other sensitive areas.
Andy is currently Chair to The Community Housing Group a stock transfer organisation owning and managing 5,800 homes in Kidderminster and Stourport. He also a co-opted member of the National Housing Federation’s West Midlands committee.
Naomi is a barrister specialising in Employment Law and is the Deputy Head of the Employment Group at No5 Chambers. She works for both employees and employers, encompassing both public and private sector.
In recent months, Naomi has been an integral part of the team responsible for bringing “ELIPS” (Employment law Litigants in Person Scheme) to Birmingham. ELIPS is a pro bono project created by the Employment Lawyers’ Association (“ELA”), to provide legal advice to litigants in person using the Birmingham Employment Tribunal.
Naomi’s interest in the housing sector grew from her involvement with the Homeless Period movement; since summer 2017, she has helped collect and distribute sanitary products to homeless and vulnerable women across Birmingham.
A housing sector all-rounder with twenty years’ experience across a number of local and regional government functions. Rashid has worked on successful partnership programmes and projects in the strategy, policy, research roles in service areas covering, housing, environmental protection, and adult social care and health.
Rashid has gained over a decade of experience involving the delivery of a number regional and local multi-tenure housing renewal and growth investment projects and programmes across Birmingham. A self-confessed geek, Rashid has a deep interest in housing and communities, which he has pursued in both his academic studies and professional spheres in the areas of planning and regeneration, sustainable housing, community cohesion and private rented sector housing.
Rashid’s current local authority work covers the commissioning of homelessness, adult social care and health services
24th December 2019
9th December 2019
20th November 2019