The Board leads ForHousing, sets the ForHousing Strategy and brings strong leadership, ideas and insight as well as being the ultimate decision makers. Board members bring a wealth of experience and expertise to support ForHousing to deliver our vision.
The Board is accountable for the success of the organisation and is responsible for several key areas, making sure we are governed properly and that we are always compliant. The Board help us to manage risks for ForHousing so that we can focus on providing safe, well maintained homes where tenants feel safe and secure. They are accountable to our stakeholders and shareholders for our financial strength and performance.
Our Board members bring lots of experience from other sectors, they share their knowledge and innovation meaning we can always keep learning and improving.
Donna Cezair: Chair of the Board, People & Culture Committee
Occupation
As Chair of ForHousing, Donna provides strong governance, clear strategic direction and inclusive leadership that supports our long‑term ambitions. Donna is also the current CEO of Worthing Homes.
Dream holiday destination
On a beach!
Prefers to avoid
Hot chillis.
Admires
Michelle Obama.
Graeme Foster: Board Member, Chair of Customer Committee, Audit & Risk Committee
Occupation
Graeme is retired and brings a strong understanding of governance to our Board. Graeme is the nominated member responsible for complaints (in line with the Housing Ombudsman Service Complaint Handling Code).
Favourite place
Liverpool, where I was brought up and still feels like home.
Obsessed with
Collecting vinyl records.
Prefers to avoid
Liverpool supporters.
Admires
Optimism.
Mark Fletcher: Board Member, Chair of People & Culture Committee, Homes Committee
Occupation
Senior Leader Charity Sector.
Favourite place
Home.
Obsessed with
Design.
Prefers to avoid
Dishonesty.
Admires
Passion.
Skilled in
Leadership.
Tony Bell: Board Member, Chair of Audit & Risk Committee
Occupation
Finance and non executive directorships.
Favourite place
My garden.
Obsessed with
Spicy foods.
Prefers to avoid
Queues.
Admires
Selflessness.
Deborah McLaughlin: Board Member, Chair of Homes Committee
Occupation
Commissioner and Non-Executive.
Favourite place
A breezy beach, walking by the sea.
Obsessed with
Balancing work, family and gardening.
Prefers to avoid
Negativity.
Admires
Bravery.
Strengths
Driving improvement for better outcomes.
Steve Bentley: Senior Independent Director, Audit & Risk Committee
Occupation
Senior Independent Director.
Favourite place
Holkham Beach, Norfolk.
Obsessed with
Quality time with family and friends.
Prefers to avoid
People who are not prepared to listen to other perspectives.
Admires
Those prepared to go above and beyond.
Skilled in
Life! And treasury management.
Donna O’Neill: Board Member, Customer Committee, Audit & Risk Committee
Occupation
Data Risk and Governance Manager.
Obsessed with
I love to travel, I like a nice relaxing sun holiday but equally like to visit places where I can experience different cultures.
I couldn’t live without
Good friends.
Prefers to avoid
Negativity.
Admires
Anyone who is passionate about helping others and strives to make a difference.
Strengths
Empathy, good listener and pragmatic.
Bill Weightman: Board Member, Customer Committee, Homes Committee, People & Culture Committee
Occupation
I am a carer for two of my grandchildren. I am a semi-retired Management Consultant, an active member of my local community and a governor of two local schools.
Dream holiday destination
This is an easy one, way up a tributary of the Amazon River, researching and collecting new species of fish.
I couldn’t live without
My family and friends.
Prefers to avoid
Disingenuous people.
Admires
The members of my community who work day in and out supporting our community without pay, without self-interest but with plenty of passion.
Strengths
Empathy, you can’t begin to understand the person next to you without it and you need it if you want to help.
Claire Stone: Board Member, Customer Committee, People & Culture Committee
Occupation
Executive Director – Customer Experience.
What makes you most proud to be a part of ForHousing?
I love the customer service commitment “HEART”. That sets ForHousing apart in my opinion.
Favourite place
Paris.
Obsessed with
Current affairs or handbags depending on my mood.
Prefers to avoid
Cooking.
Admires
Anyone who can cook or make me laugh and great writers like Jeffrey Eugenides, Hilary Mantel and poets John Cooper Clark, Lemn Sissay.
Strengths
I’m a good communicator and trying to get better at French.
Ian Joynson: Board Member, Homes Committee (Chair Designate), Audit & Risk Committee
Occupation
Executive Director for another housing association.
What makes you most proud to be a part of ForHousing?
The role we play in providing housing for 19,000 homes, giving them the stable base we all need to build our lives.
Favourite place
Thailand (mainly for the food!)
Obsessed with
Keeping active and doing exercise of some form every day. It helps me keep balanced.
Prefers to avoid
Long flights.
Admires
People who devote their lives to caring for others. The self-sacrifice is humbling to see.
Strengths
In work, asking questions to understand what the real issue is. Outside of work, I play table tennis to quite a high standard.
Graeme Scott: Board Member,Homes Committee
Occupation
Executive Director Development and Property.
What makes you most proud to be a part of ForHousing?
I wanted to contribute to the work that ForHousing undertakes in the local communities to support their tenants.
Favourite place
Majorca.
Obsessed with
Peloton.
Prefers to avoid
Mint sauce! But I love lamb.
Admires
David Attenborough. He inspires people to look after the planet, and is still going strong at nearly 100.
Strengths
Property management or juggling!
Isaac Kibirige: Board Member, Homes Committee
What is your occupation?
Operations Director
What attracted you to become a ForHousing Board Member?
I wanted a new challenge and I believe that I have a lot more that I can contribute to the social housing sector. I am encouraged by the positive governance and growth journey ForHousing is on and I am excited to bring by knowledge and expertise to help support that.
What makes you most proud to be a part of ForHousing?
The people and tenant focused culture stands out for me, and seeing all of the positive impacts that the organisation has directly on people’s lives.
What do you do outside of ForHousing? Do you have any hobbies or interests or any other roles?
I am a very family orientated person and spend a lot of time outside of work socialising with family and friends. I am also a sports enthusiast so you’ll usually find me playing or watching something, anything!
What are you most interested in or excited about as a Board Member?
I have always worked in partnerships with social housing providers as part of my day-to-day role with a national partnerships developer, so I am excited to sit on the other side of the fence.
Favourite place
Hawaii.
Obsessed with
Sport.
Prefers to avoid
Small rodents.
Admires
NHS workers.
Strengths
Annoying my wife.
