Southdown Housing Association is a not-for-profit organisation. The Association is a Registered Provider, incorporated as an Industrial and Provident Society and regulated by the Tenant Services Authority.
An Executive Team, made up of senior staff, heads the day-to-day running of Southdown and we have a Board which oversees the governance of the organisation. The Board is made up of volunteers who have experience and interest in our field of work and a wide range of other specialist skills.
Chief Executive
Aideen has spent over 35 years working in the independent social care sector, 16 years were spent working with young people in therapeutic settings in Wales and Sussex and she has worked for Southdown since 1989. She gained a certificate in Social Care in 1980, qualified as a trainer in 1990, and gained a certificate in Public Services from LSE in 2000. She is an associate member of the Institute of Directors. She has been a Board member of the Association since 2005.
Aideen is a Voluntary Sector member of the Council of Governors of the Sussex Partnership Foundation NHS Trust.
"Listening to what our tenants and service users have to say about Southdown helps us to stay dynamic and responsive. We have a 'can do' approach and believe in the individuality of everyone so will always do our best to find tailor made solutions to tenants and service users' needs.
I am absolutely proud of the work that Southdown does and privileged to head such a dynamic organisation."
Executive Director (Operations)
Neil originally qualified as a chartered surveyor and worked for a number of years in commercial property development and management. Since 1993 he has worked in the social housing sector specialising in providing services to vulnerable people. He joined Southdown in May 2001. He is a member of the Chartered Institute of Housing.
Within Southdown Neil holds responsibility for Housing Support and Supported Employment services, as well as taking the strategic lead on housing activities, including asset management and capital developments. He acts as the organisational champion for involvement, ensuring that all people that use services have opportunities to provide feedback that enables Southdown to continually improve service delivery and client satisfaction.
Neil states - "The current economic and funding environment is placing increased demand and pressure on many of our services. To respond to this we are working with clients and commissioners to find innovative ways to maximise capacity and value for money."
Executive Director (Business)
Originally trained as a psychologist, then later as a manager, trainer and HR specialist, Vikki has worked for over 30 years for organisations providing support and housing services to vulnerable people. She joined Southdown in 1996, having previously worked for the NHS, London based RSL's and Local Authorities.
Vikki is committed to ensuring that both the staff and the systems underpinning the operational services are of high quality and are cost effective.
"I apply the 'value to the service users' rule of thumb to all systems and initiatives, asking the question how does this add value to the services people receive?"
Director - Learning Disability Services
Kay has worked in learning disability services for three decades, initially qualifying as a nurse then moving on to social care services. Prior to joining Southdown Housing Association in February 2010, Kay worked for a Local Authority; working as a practitioner, qualifying as a trainer and, more latterly, managing provider services and leading Care Management teams. Kay has also worked as a training consultant for the British Institute of Learning Disabilities; a role that brought her into contact with many statutory and third sector social care organisations across the country.
Director - Finance and ICT
Nick joined Southdown in June 2009. He qualified as a Chartered Accountant before undertaking a six month spell of voluntary work at a hospital in Pakistan. He then returned to the UK and worked with Nestlé UK for ten years including roles looking after the financial aspects of Nescafé coffee and Carnation milks and was Head of Finance for the Nestlé Food Services Division. Nick then worked for four years as the U.K. Director of Finance for the Findus frozen food.
Prior to joining Southdown Nick spent four years as a Finance Director with The Shaftesbury Society and worked on their merger with John Grooms to form the new organisation, Livability.
Nick is working to keep Southdown's finances on a steady footing during the current period of economic uncertainty and is also focused on improving Southdown's IT networks and systems to allow frontline staff to access the information they need to run Southdown services effectively.
Nick states; "I have enjoyed my time here at Southdown so far and will continue to work to ensure that Southdown has the highest quality ICT systems and financial stability to enable our front line teams to deliver their services to people needing our support."
The Senior Management Team comprises individuals who demonstrate their skills in particular areas on a daily basis:
Aideen Jones Chief Executive
Vikki Hayward-Cripps Executive Director (Business)
Nick Hawes Director – Finance and ICT
Neil Blanchard Executive Director (Operational)
Kay Holden Director – Learning Disability Services
Tim Wormley-Healing Corporate Administration & Facilities Manager
Janet Casserley HR Services Manager
Jenny Spaull Training Manager
Chaun Wilson Assistant Director, Housing Support & Supported Employment
Chris Storey Area Manager (LD), Brighton & Hove
Mark Holton Area Manager - Housing Support, East Sussex
Roisin Murphy Area Manager – Housing Support, West Sussex
Sharon Clare Area Manager, New Business and West Sussex
Jo Whitehead Area Manager - Housing Support, Brighton & Hove and West Sussex
Sarah Bray Area Manager - Housing Support, East Sussex
Martin Dominy Head of Supported Employment
Jim Aspdin Housing Division Manager
Julia Sheer Finance Manager
Stephen Martin ICT Manager