Aman Dalvi
Aspire Housing Chair

Aman Dalvi, OBE, has led three organisations as Chief Executive, with expertise in Planning and Regeneration. He served as Executive Director for a major London authority, advised a leading real estate firm, and held board roles with English Partnerships and the Olympic Park Legacy Company, earning an OBE in 2000.

Liz Barnes
Aspire Housing Vice Chair

Liz joined the organisation in September 2021 after completing six years as Vice-Chancellor of Staffordshire University, marking 35 years in Higher Education. A Stafford native, she began teaching at Longton High School in 1983. Liz was awarded a CBE in 2019 and became a Deputy Lieutenant of Staffordshire in 2020.

David Woodward
Audit and Risk Committee Chair

David, a Chartered Management Accountant, has held senior financial roles at Express Dairies, Midland Mainline, and National Express, focusing on strategy and turnarounds. He chairs finance and audit and Risk committees for various organisations, including NHS Trusts. Currently, he serves as Non-Executive Director at NS&I, Trustee of Which?, and Committee Member at Trent College.

David Hunter
Nominations and Remuneration Committee Chair

David, a retired Chartered Accountant, spent 37 years specialising in auditing and accounting for social housing providers and credit unions. With a focus on risk management and governance in regulated sectors, he previously served as Vice-Chairman of a local stock transfer housing association and worked in financial consultancy for the not-for-profit sector.

Amanda Palmer
Customer Board Member

Amanda, a Business Development Manager in automation for manufacturing, previously worked as a senior telecoms engineer. As an Aspire Involved Customer for four years, she helped secure TPAS accreditation and shape services. As a Customer Assessor and OASIS member, she monitors Aspire's commitment to its Promises and drives organisational improvements.

Paul Northcott
Board Member

Paul, a Staffordshire County Councillor for Newcastle Rural, is Vice-Chair of the Healthy Staffordshire Select Committee and a Cabinet member for Planning and Growth on Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council. With 40 years’ experience in mental health, social care, and civil service, he now consults in forensic child psychology and hospital services management.

Neale Clifton
Board Member

Neale, a retired Chartered Town Planner with over 40 years in Local Government, held Chief Officer roles in Town Planning, Housing, and Regeneration. He led regeneration partnerships with Aspire Housing and recently served as Interim Head of Service for Stafford Borough Council. Neale now advises small businesses and consults with Staffordshire Civil Contingencies Unit.

Pat Baker
Board Member

Pat has over 40 years of experience in housing management and development. She founded a consultancy in 2004, leading projects in regeneration and housing strategy. Pat held senior roles at Derby City Council, South Yorkshire Housing Association, and others. She is a former Chair of York Housing Association and holds a BA and CIH qualification.

Jane Atherton
Board Member

Jane Atherton has over 30 years of senior-level experience in social housing. She runs her own HR consultancy, helping organisations create great workplaces. Previously, she was Group Director of People and Risk at New Charter Group and Chair of Ashton Pioneer Homes. In April 2024, she became Member Responsible for Complaints at Aspire.

Sinéad Butters MBE
Chief Executive

Sinéad, Chief Executive of Aspire Housing since 2006, is a Keele University Fellow and MBE recipient for services to housing. Chair of Black Country Housing Group and a Non-Executive Director at Goram Homes, she champions community-based solutions, earning honors for her leadership, including Aspire’s Queen’s Award for Enterprise.

Sinéad Butters MBE
Chief Executive

Dan Gray
Executive Director of Place

Dan, an experienced property professional, joined Aspire in 2005 and leads teams across development, asset management, compliance, repairs, sustainability, and health & safety. Previously, he worked on regeneration for a Local Authority and in the U.S. His passion lies in revitalising communities and improving customers’ lives.

Andrei Szatkowski
Executive Director of People

Andrei, a housing professional with over 25 years’ experience, joined Aspire in 2018, leading Neighbourhoods, Customer Services, IT, HR, Communications, and more. A CIH Fellow and Non-Executive Director, he champions customer voices and service excellence. Passionate about People First, Andrei enjoys cycling, travel, and wine, and leads Aspire’s Consumer Standards.

Andrew Palmer
Executive Director, Finance

Andrew, Executive Director of Finance since 2023, joined Aspire in 2021 with 18+ years of senior housing sector experience. A Fellow of the ACCA, he leads Finance, Governance, and Risk, with a track record in business transformation. Andrew enjoys dog walking, socialising, and family time with his wife and daughter.