Our Board

The Board at Homes in Sedgemoor oversees the running of the organisation and is made up of an experienced team of tenants, councillors and independent members.

The Board works with the Executive Team on the current and future priorities of the business.

Members

Paul Stephenson

Chair of the Board

Paul worked for 37 years working in community housing, the last 15 at Cheltenham Borough Homes, with the last eight as CEO.

His passion is about investing in people and communities. He volunteers as Chair of the Gloucestershire Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) Panel, working with representatives from multiple agencies to address one of the objectives of the Health and Wellbeing Strategy.

Paul lives in Gloucestershire, has two adult children, enjoys watching sport and is a keen walker and reader.

Jenny Vernon

Independent 

Jenny is a governance and tenant involvement expert who specialises in involving customers in decision making.

With over 35 years’ experience in social housing, Jenny draws on her experience of having been a tenant and housing employee as well as her more recent housing consultancy and governance experience.

Jenny is Director of Good Governance Network and Lead Independent Advisor for Tpas.

Lance Duddridge

Councillor

Lance is a member of the Conservative Party and is Councillor for Bridgwater Victoria ward.

Bridgwater born, Lance is a greengrocer by trade. He is also a strong supporter of local charities.

Kathy Pearce

Councillor

Kathy has been a district councillor for 21 years.

Kathy chaired the Community Scrutiny Committee at Sedgemoor District Council and is a Bridgwater Town Councillor with interest in the environment, climate emergency and eliminating fuel poverty.

Kathy’s working background was in special educational needs. Nowadays, besides being a councillor, Kathy has returned to college to study Horticulture and is a part-time, self-employed gardener.

Marie Hide

Homes in Sedgemoor Tenant 

Marie joined the Homes in Sedgemoor Board in 2015 as one of the three tenant Board Members and also serves as the Chair of Homes in Sedgemoor’s Audit Committee.

She has two grown up children, and is kept busy with her dog – a husky cross called Spirit, and a gargoyle gecko named Nyx. Marie has a passion for cars and motorbikes and she chose to get involved with Homes in Sedgemoor to drive forward positive change. 

Paul Hackett

Independent Board Member

Paul has more than 22 years’ experience of social housing finance with a background across both local authorities and housing associations. His main specialism is financial analysis, in particular supporting organisations in building their future plans.

Paul has also worked at director level in several Registered Providers of Social Housing. He currently operates as an associate consultant with 2Tix.

Sarah O’Neill

Co-Optee

Sarah is a portfolio non-executive director (NED) and chair. With considerable commercial experience and a strong consumer focus. She has a strong personal interest in the housing sector and is currently Chair of Willow Tree Housing Partnership and a NED for Housing Diversity Network, a Diversity and Inclusion advocacy organisation in the housing sector, something she is passionate about. She is deeply committed to Carbon Neutrality & Sustainability, completing Climate Reality training with Al Gore. Additionally, she is the South-West ambassador for NEDonBoard, the Institute of Board Members. Outside of work her interests include travel, theatre and spending time with her rescue cat and husband. Sarah is the current Chair of the Sedgemoor Tenants Assurance Committee.

Pauline Ham

Councillor

Pauline has lived in Axbridge since 1982 and has three children. She has been involved with various voluntary groups and has worked in a local school for more than 30 years. She is passionate about community and providing and maintaining affordable housing for local people.

As a member of Axbridge Town Council since 1994, she is proud to have been Mayor of Axbridge on three separate occasions. She was involved in producing the Neighbourhood Plan for Axbridge, and more recently she was elected to Somerset Council.

Federica Smith-Roberts

Co-Optee

I am delighted to join the Homes in Somerset Board, my experience is eclectic due to having being councillor in local government for just over 12 years, having been the Leader of Somerset West and Taunton Council and now Lead Member for Communities on Somerset Council.

Alongside this I work within the financial sector as a manager in a local Health Insurer. I am passionate about helping vulnerable individuals and have founded a charity supporting displaced people locally and across the world. Building and maintaining good quality homes for individuals and families is strong aim of mine and I am keen to support Homes in Somerset and be part of delivering our vision for our tenants. 

Homes in Sedgemoor tenant

I have been living in and around Bridgwater for the past 40 years and love the community here.
I am self employed and I run “crafty sessions” twice a week on a voluntary basis. One of these centres on the reuse and recycling of all the materials used, as I try to promote and encourage less wastage.
I have seven grandchildren, who I love to spend time with.

I enjoy photography, much of which I use in my crafting and other activities. My other passion is aviation and old engineering.
I like to be involved in the community and although not Bridgwater based, I do run a very large local Facebook group.
During covid I started writing and each day write around a thousand words to share on social media.
I feel that when used correctly the internet and social media itself can be an excellent resource for older folk and those who find themselves isolated at home.