Ken Taylor, Chair of the Board

Ken was appointed as Chair at the Berneslai Homes Board Meeting on Thursday 7 December 2023.

He has over 25 years’ experience at executive director and board level in the public, private, and voluntary sectors. Ken has worked in a range of areas including housing, regeneration, employment and skills, and health and wellbeing.

Ken has a strong track record of developing effective partnerships to address inequalities and strengthen communities. He’s passionate about putting tenants at the centre of decision making and collaborating with them to design solutions and deliver great outcomes.

As current Chair and Trustee of EN:Able Communities, Ken drives forward the charity’s work to reduce unemployment, advance education and training, and address fuel poverty within the Yorkshire and Humber region. Ken also acts as Independent Advisor to the Board at Efficiency North Holdings Limited and is Chair of Calderdale and Kirklees Recovery College.

Mark Johnson, Independent member

Mark was appointed in January 2020 as an independent member and is the Senior Independent Director (SID). 

He has over 30 years’ experience in social housing including operating in high profile positions in several large ALMOs, councils and other large housing organisations. Mark is a keen advocate of the ALMO model. He’s been managing his own consultancy business within the housing sector for the past five years.

After Grenfell, Mark believes that safety and compliance will be the cornerstone of forthcoming regulatory change and has worked with organisations to adapt the way that asset management, investment, and repairs and maintenance can be delivered in the future.

Mark lived and worked in Barnsley for several years and having been brought up in a council house, and considers well managed social housing to be of huge benefit for the whole community.

Cllr Sarah Tattersall, Council member

Councillor Sarah Tattersall was appointed in July 2019 and sits on the Customer Services Committee.

Sarah spent her teenage years as an Air Cadet giving her the opportunity to develop military, check and challenge, problem solving solutions and many other life skills, including volunteering, and achieving the Gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award scheme.

Sarah volunteers at local community groups and for organisations when possible, and strongly believes their commitment and contribution to help residents improves their overall mental health and wellbeing, and should never be underestimated.

Sarah’s work as a local councillor takes her onto Berneslai Homes estates and inside our properties, giving her a great insight into our communities.

Sarah is currently the Mayor of Barnsley and although very busy, she remains committed to Berneslai Homes.

Cllr Kevin Osborne, Council member

Councillor Kevin Osborne was appointed in September 2022 and sits on the Audit Committee.

He has a strong record of promoting social cohesion, working with disadvantaged communities and assisting them to move nearer toward education, employment or enterprise.

As a Board member he hopes to encourage others to engage in collective endeavour: working together, working smarter. 

His experience as a Civil Servant, Parliamentary Assistant and Community Coach have allowed him to challenge and support in equal measure and he’s committed to making Barnsley the place of possibilities.

Jo Sugden, Independent member

Jo was appointed in April 2021 as an independent member and sits on the Audit and Risk Committee.

She has experience in both private and public sector throughout her career and now works for Ongo (a stock transfer housing association based in North Lincolnshire).

Jo joined Ongo from the first day it was formed in 2007 (as North Lincolnshire Homes) and was part of the transfer team which led the transfer of homes from North Lincolnshire Council and established the new business.  She’s now their Director of Corporate and Compliance with experience in human resources, governance, risk management, health and safety, procurement and value for money, and customer engagement.

When Jo’s not at work, she can usually be found at the stables with her horses, two colonies of bees, or generally enjoying the great outdoors.

Richard Fryer, Remuneration Committee Chair

Richard was appointed in September 2020 and is Chair of the Remuneration Committee. He’s an Executive Director at Karbon Homes – a regional housing association based in the North East – and is a Chartered Member of the Institute of Housing.

Before joining the housing world, Richard worked in local government in different parts of the country, including 14 happy years living and working in Barnsley. 

Richard believes strongly in the role of effective governance in making sure that housing providers deliver for their residents and communities.

Adam Hutchinson, Audit and Risk Committee Chair

Adam has worked in social housing for nearly 20 years and is currently Director of Resources at 54 North Homes, based in North Leeds and York.

He’s a qualified accountant and a member of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants.

Outside of work, Adam has a young family, suffers the trials and tribulations of the Bradford Bulls rugby league team, and enjoys rowing with Bradford Amateur Rowing Club.

Mahara Haque, Customer Services Committee

Mahara became Chair of the Customer Services Committee in August 2022. She’s an External Funding Manager within the voluntary sector and has previously been involved in programme management at Rotherham Council and community development at Sheffield City Council.

She’s a public representative for the Strategic Patient Engagement, Experience, and Equality Committee (SPEEEC) at NHS Clinical Commissioning Governance Sheffield, and undertook an Associate Non-Executive Director placement at South Yorkshire Housing Association.

Mahara is a private landlord and manages a portfolio of properties with her partner as a founding member of ‘My Landlord Cares’, an ethical letting agency.

Eric Smith, Board Co-optee

Eric was appointed in April 2022 as tenant member and member of the Customer Service Committee. 

Eric has lived in Barnsley for 11 years and is knowledgeable on the issues affecting his local communities and residents. He’s passionate and very keen to give help, support and assistance in all areas to positively enhance and impact people’s lives.

You can often find Eric taking part in various charity events or helping out in the community. Eric has a BTEC Diploma in ICT and is very keen on activities that enhance a healthy lifestyle.

Gez Morrall, Tenant member

Gez was appointed in December 2023 as tenant member.

He has 30 years’ experience in the education sector, charity sector, and is now a director of his own training and development provision supporting people with apprenticeships and employment.

Gez is passionate about improving and supporting his local community and volunteers with a variety of local activities in the neighbourhood and is a member of the Darton East Ward Alliance and director of the Mapplewell and Staincross Village Hall where he volunteers every week at the pop-in club, providing a safe and warm space for people to meet up, connect, and make new friends.

Gez also enjoys horticulture and enjoys spending time with his family at his allotment and running community garden which he funds through his own company, donating surplus fruit and vegetables back into the community.