NOV – DEC 22 – Panel reports on its findings and recommendations for change

Helen has held many board level leadership roles in the civil society and public sectors across a career spanning social care, housing, health and education. She has chaired organisations ranging from national housing associations to NHS trusts and social care providers, a multi-academy trust and both local and national charities.

Helen is currently the chair of Shelter and vice chair of The What Works Centre for Wellbeing and is also a deputy lieutenant for Oxfordshire.

Jennifer Braithwate, panel member

Jennifer has been a councillor for Lambeth Council for 12 years and is a landlord and tenant lawyer by profession, specialising in leasehold enfranchisement. She was deputy leader of Lambeth Council, having held cabinet portfolios in Housing, Environment and Children Services.

Leading Lambeth’s housing services, she has direct knowledge of the inner workings of a large housing provider and has seen, first-hand, how good and poor quality housing services impact people’s lives.

She has a particular interest in helping tenants and landlords to understand their rights and obligations.

Sumita is a chartered architect, author and teacher with a passion for the environment, equity and ethics. She came to the UK 30 years ago on a scholarship to the University of Cambridge to study sustainable design, having studied architecture in India. She runs her own sustainability-focussed practice, Ecologic Architects, and is on the board of the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA).

Sumita comes from a humble background and has direct experience of the issues faced by people living in social housing. She is interested in the provision of safe, durable and sustainable housing for all. Sumita received an OBE for services to architecture in 2021.

Neal has lived in rented accommodation for over 30 years, in both private and social housing. He has sat on several social housing panels and volunteered as an engaged tenant for 11 years. Neal has been involved in all aspects of engagement, from analysing and improving the operational workings of organisations and contract procurement, to communications systems, policy oversight, and staff employment.

In addition to Neal’s voluntary positions, Neal has worked in managerial positions in retail, wholesale, the motor industry, and transport logistics.

As a wheelchair user, Neal is passionate about ensuring the voices and experiences of tenants with disabilities and the more vulnerable within society are heard and respected.

Tom Markham, panel member

Tom is a commissioning officer working in Children’s Services for Manchester City Council, commissioning and leading on the procurement of accommodation and support services for care experienced children and young people, including unaccompanied asylum-seeking children.

In 2022 he was awarded the Council’s ‘Rising Star’ award in recognition of his commissioning work, which focused on expanding partnerships with charitable/non-profit organisations.

Tom works with the Leaving Care Service in Manchester and helped to roll out Manchester’s House Project, which developed into the Greater Manchester House Project Collaborative.

Tom is also a youth justice volunteer with Trafford Borough Council.

Visit the Better Social Housing Review website for more information