The Customer Committee is a new standing committee of Great Places’ Board, which will add value by providing lived experience and expertise directly from customers. The Committee provides an important link between the Board and customers, who can hold Great Places to account on all customer-related matters. It will make sure that service updates and improvements for customers are delivered effectively with customer feedback in mind.
Patrick has a wealth of business experience with more than 26 years at Berendsen, spending 9 years as Regional Director and was a Director at Jewson. He is passionate about supporting organisations with their strategy for sustainable business growth, people and team development and their well-being. He is Non-Executive Director at Ubico Ltd and a Trustee at Forward Education Trust.
He has strong strategic, planning, operations, and commercial skills in the UK markets in B2B and B2C, including the public sector, and has extensive experience in leading account management, strategy for multi-million-pound contracts and delivering service excellence.
Nicki has over twenty years’ experience creating and executing data-driven, customer-focused technology and data strategies, and has worked across private and public sector in multiple industries. She was Chief Technology Officer at Irwin Mitchell (legal and financial services) for almost 5 years, and prior to that Head of IS Strategy and Digital Services at Electricity North West, and lead technology strategist at the British Library. Nicki has a passion for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion and in 2023 switched her career to focus on delivering at scale social mobility. She currently works for STEM Learning UK and the National Centre for Computing Education where she helps hundreds of businesses each year introduce schools engagement programmes to support better outcomes for young people across the UK.
Naomi has been a Plumlife/Great Places customer for almost 5 years and is currently living in New Islington, near to Manchester City Centre.
Naomi works as a Communications and Engagement Manager, and her passion lies in connecting with people through creative activities and delivering engaging experiences.
Outside of work, you can find her delving into a good book, practicing meditation, and travelling abroad to new destinations.
She is keen to expand her knowledge of the housing sector and is looking forward to drawing from her own upbringing in various housing environments to support the Customer Committee. Whether it’s tackling the challenges of the cost of living crisis or championing initiatives like Anchor Neighbourhoods, Naomi is ready to support the Committee and make a difference to the lives of Great Places customers.
Laura is a Shared Ownership customer based in Stockport and is currently Head of Homelessness and Complex Needs for a Supported Housing Charity based in Stoke with a specialism in housing management, community development, and leading on organisational change.
Laura is a highly motivated housing management professional with nineteen years’ experience successfully ensuring consistency in all areas of service delivery across a varied remit at both strategic and operational levels.
She has worked for a number of registered housing providers over the course of her career and has a passion for community development and tenant empowerment.
Kimberley has been a resident of Great Places for 6 years and lives in Bolton, Greater Manchester with her 4 children.
She currently works part-time caring for a local lady with a degenerative lung condition. Her past career has been Customer Service focussed in Education, local authority and the not-for-profit sectors. She is also a competent administrator specifically in accounting.
Kimberley’s spare time is mostly spent with her children outdoors. She is a keen singer/songwriter and enjoys keeping fit and healthy.
Her hope is to help find solutions to better relations between both tenants and employees of Great Places and she promises to use her wealth of customer service experience, alongside her lived experience of mental health, physical disabilities, domestic abuse, racism, financial difficulties, parenting and more to hopefully offer compassion and understanding to be a voice for those that need one.
Ali and his wife have been living in Sheffield since 2021, enjoying their home as housing association tenants. Ali works as a freelance interpreter, helping people communicate effectively.
Outside of work, Ali loves walking and hiking, especially in the beautiful Peak District. He’s a football enthusiast and enjoys watching matches. Ali is a friendly and social person who likes meeting new people and learning from their experiences.
Living in Sheffield, Ali brings a mix of professional skills, a love for outdoor activities, and a friendly attitude to his community.
Siobhan is a Plumlife customer since her relocation to the Manchester area. She is passionate about housing and the property sector and is excited to contribute her skills and knowledge to improve the customer service experience.
Fun fact: When Siobhan isn’t working hard you can find her ‘trying’ to play tennis.
Struen currently lives in Blackburn in Lancashire in social accommodation and is currently working as Senior Health Care Worker within forensic secure hospital.
When he’s not at work, he likes to spend time relaxing – especially with his partner. This may be swimming and going for long walks. He also enjoys reading and learning about other countries and what life is like for other people.
His personality by nature is very caring and empathic and he likes to help people the best way he can. He feels that having this opportunity to work within the Committee will enable him to help others and well as to gain new skills and experience.
The Customer Committee is responsible for contributing to the success of Great Places Housing Group. The overall responsibilities/behaviours we expect of Committee Members are as follows:
