Our Direction of Travel

MHS is nearing the end of a strategic governance review, which has been undertaken in close collaboration with the Council. Both MHS and the Council have agreed that the best way to continue to develop our overall partnership, and for MHS to continue to be a preferred development partner of the Council, will be via a closer parent-subsidiary relationship.

Consequently, the board of MHS is now taking advice on how to effect this change in its ownership and governance structure. Similarly, the Council is also planning to progress this through its own governance and decision-making processes. Once implemented however, the board of MHS will still govern independently.

The board is also actively considering, with the Council’s express support, whether to apply for registered provider status as a not-for-profit housing association with the regulator of social housing.

It is anticipated that by the time the new Chair is formally appointed, MHS will be working towards adopting a revised set of rules that will see it established as a subsidiary of the Council. Candidates will be informed of progress as the recruitment campaign progresses.

The current Board is made up of the following:

  • Richard Reynolds
    Chair

    Over 40 years’ experience as a Non-Executive Director, Richard’s experience spans property, construction, house building and inner city regeneration. Richard's executive career includes 25 years of corporate sales and marketing expertise, brand knowledge and PR experience in the house building sector. A Managing Director of Barratt Homes from 1983 until taking retirement in 2006, Richard has a subsequent Non-Executive portfolio which includes directorships of housing associations, an ALMO, a facilities management group, a house builder, a development corporation, a contractor/developer and, until recently, an NHS Trust.

  • Tony Evans
    Vice Chair & Company Secretary

    Tony retired in 2016 after a career of over 40 years in public service in inner London in education and in local government. Since then he has been Vice Chair and Company Secretary on the Board of Meridian Home Start Ltd, building and managing below-market rent properties in Greenwich. He has been a Trustee of two Arts and Crafts heritage trusts and is currently a Trustee of the William Morris Society. He has undertaken a number of volunteer roles both in social care and sporting settings and is currently Treasurer of a charity aimed at opening up sporting opportunities for people experiencing cancer.

  • Emma Peters
    Director

    Emma has 30+ years’ experience across local authorities, registered providers, and the private sector, specialising in regeneration, housing delivery, and finance. Formerly a Director at Inner Circle Consulting and consultant at Regenfirst, she has worked with several London boroughs and housing associations. Holding an MPhil from UCL Bartlett, she is also a Non-Executive Director at Rent Plus Homes.

  • Bernadette Marjoram
    Director

    Bernadette has over 40 years local authority and third sector experience, including Chief Executive and Senior Executive Director roles across London and the UK. Her experience includes corporate & service transformation and change, regeneration, housing, environmental services & planning. She founded her own consultancy in 2002, undertaking Chief Executive & senior executive interim roles, various consultancy roles , as well as being a senior executive mentor/ coach. She has also undertaken various Non Executive Chair and Board level roles for over 40 years across many sectors including Health, Education as well as Housing.

  • George Cronin
    Interim Chief Executive Officer

    A former Managing Director with 25 years’ experience with two national housebuilding companies, George has a background in finance and accounting, gained predominantly within the construction industry. Since retiring, George has served as a Non-Executive Director at Aldwyck Housing and Lea Valley Developments. Prior to joining Meridian Home Start, George was a member of the Catalyst Housing development committee. George has temporarily stepped aside from his role as a Non-Executive Director at MHS in order to take on the role of Interim Chief Executive until such time a new appointment of Chief Executive is made.