New Board members appointed at Manningham Housing Association

Manningham Housing Association (MHA) has made three Board appointments, Rupert Pometsey becomes Vice Chair with Alice Kinder and John Knox joining the Bradford-based organisation as new Board members.

They replace Abdul Ravat, Vicky Szulist and Haroon Rashid who have stepped down after many years of collective service.

Mr Pometsey is an architect and brings with him a wealth of experience following a career spanning over two decades of senior level experience as a housing development and asset management professional. Between 2015 and 2023 he was the Director of Development and Growth at Incommunities. Previously, he was the Managing Director of Firebird Joint Venture Company and Lumia Homes. He has served on the MHA Board since September 2022 and was the association’s Director of Development and Asset Management from 1998 – 2005. He was also a Board Member and Chair of the development company at Ongo Homes for several years. He has a real passion for tenant involvement and customer service having worked for the Tenant Participation Advisory Service (TPAS).

Alice Kinder is a specialist Employment Solicitor at the firm Bexley Beaumont.  The current Vice President of Birmingham Law Society – believed to be the youngest person to hold this role in the Society’s 200-year history – and a Social Mobility Ambassador for the Law Society of England and Wales, she is also experienced in delivering training and strategic advice on equality, diversity and inclusion issues.

John Knox is Director of Strategy Implementation and Head of Property at The Anglican Diocese of Leeds.  An experienced accountant with expertise in a wide range of policy areas including property and corporate governance, he is an associate member of both the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants and Chartered Global Management Accountants, and an IOSH Health and Safety Trained Practitioner.

Barrington Billings, MHA Chair, said: “I congratulate Rupert on his appointment as Vice Chair and welcome Alice and John as new members of the Board.

“Each brings a special insight into different aspects of MHA’s activities and will undoubtedly make substantial contributions to the association’s ever growing success.

“I also pay wholehearted tribute to our retiring members – Abdul, Vicky and Haroon – for all they have done for MHA.

“The pandemic and ongoing cost of living crisis have made the past three years particularly challenging for our residents, staff and Board.

“That has not stopped MHA from devising innovative plans for the future.  Board members will be central to rolling these out and, with the new appointments, we have never been better equipped to keep moving forward.”

Lee Bloomfield, MHA Chief Executive, said: “Alongside my colleagues on the Executive Team, I look forward to working closely with Rupert, Alice and John in the years ahead.

“The Board vacancies attracted a high level of interest nationally, which is testament to the positive strides the association has made in recent years.

“I know that the MHA family – residents, staff, Board members and partner organisations – have exciting times ahead.”