About Us - Solihull Community Housing

About Solihull Community Housing

SCH is the Arm’s Length Management Organisation (ALMO) set up in April 2004 to run the housing service on behalf of Solihull Council, which retains ownership of the property portfolio.

We manage just under 10,000 tenanted homes, around 1,000 leasehold homes, 5,000 garages, and a small number of shared ownership properties. We also manage around 200 temporary accommodation units, supplemented by private sector leasing properties.

The Council is the company’s single shareholder, our Board comprises a third residents, council representatives and independents (nine Board members) and an independent Chair making a total of ten. The Board provides oversight and leadership to ensure SCH works to deliver our strategic vision to create better homes and thriving communities.

Our values are: honesty; excellence; achieving together; respect and transparency.

You can find out more by reading our publications below and you will be able to get a strong sense that we are not just concerned with what we do, but also how we do things:

Our Board and Executive team work closely together to lead our organisation and keep us focused on our strategic aims which are:

Creating homes
More than bricks and mortar
Strengthening communities
Excellent customer service and
Passion in people

We care deeply about Solihull and play a crucial role in supporting the Solihull Council Plan, which includes six priorities under the aim of a borough with opportunities for all, these are:

Improving outcomes for children and young people
Improving life chances and health outcomes
Good quality, responsive and dignified care and support for adults
Enhance our natural environment
Increase the supply of affordable and social housing
Develop and promote the borough’s economy

Meet Our Board

We are governed by a Board consisting of the Chair, three tenants, three councillors, and three independent members selected for their specialist skills and expertise.

The Board is responsible for steering the organisation’s strategic direction, setting corporate and business plan priorities, monitoring officer performance, and overseeing risk management and accountability.

You can find our Company governance structure in our Delivery Plan 2024-25

Richard Hyde
Board Chair

Richard Hyde was appointed Chair of the Board in September 2018. Richard was born in Solihull and has run a local business for over 25 years. His grandfather, Bertie Hyde was a well-known Solihull Councillor and Friend of the Hospital.
Mark Thrasher
Chair, Audit & Risk Committee

Mark Joined SCH in July 2022. Having spent 25 years in housing, Mark retired in April 2023 from his position as the Executive Director of Finance at Aspire Housing in North Staffordshire. A qualified Chartered Accountant, Mark is also the Chair at Tower Hamlets Community Housing in East London.
Phil Hardy
Chair, Housing Operations Committee

Phil joined SCH in July 2022. He has worked in the housing sector for 30 years and is currently Chief Operations Officer at Amplius with executive responsibility for all customer facing services, such as housing management, customer experience and independent living as well as property services.
Councillor Bernie Donnelly
SMBC Council Board Member

Cllr Donnelly has previously been a member of the SCHape Panel.
Councillor Gail Sleigh
SMBC Council Board Member

Cllr Sleigh represents Bickenhill Ward. She is the Chair of the Council’s Health and Adult Social Care Scrutiny Board.
Councillor Dave Pinwell
SMBC Council Board Member

Cllr Pinwell represents Knowle Ward and joined the Board in May 2021. He took early retirement from a career in the telecoms industry and subsequently had frequent dealings with SCH colleagues on behalf of the local charity, Colebridge Trust, before becoming a councillor.
Lynsey Beckley
Independent Board Member

Lynsey joined the Board in June 2024. She has worked in local government and housing roles for over 15 years, holding senior positions at some of the largest housing organisations including The Guinness Partnership and Sanctuary Housing Association. Lynsey is currently Director of Asset Strategy and Delivery for The Riverside Group.
Susan Buckley
Tenant Board Member

Susan joined the Board in June 2024. She currently works as a part time warden. Susan has been a SCH tenant since 2019 and currently lives in the Shirley area of the suburb.

Meet Our Executive Leadership Team

Our Executive Leadership Team includes a Chief Executive, two Executive Directors, an Assistant Director, and four Heads of Service who specialise in managing different areas of our organisation. You can find our ELT Organisation Chart here.

Detailed biographies can be found on our website.