Meet the Board

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Our Board members come from all walks of life. Each one brings their own perspective, skills and experiences, but collectively they act together to set the overall direction for the Trust .

Trust Board Chair

Steve became a member of the board in December 2025, and took up the Chair position in May 2026. Steve brings with him extensive senior leadership and non-executive director experience across housing, local government and the Voluntary, Community, Faith & Social Enterprise sectors.

He’s the Executive Director of Client & Member Services at Citizens Advice where he leads the organisation’s largest directorate strengthen service delivery, digital capability and support for members across England, Wales and the Channel Islands.

Before joining Citizens Advice in an executive role, Steve worked at senior level in local government, most recently as Assistant Chief Executive and Assistant Director of Strategy and Transformation at Oldham Council. His work focused on large-scale service transformation, digital and data innovation, organisational change and improving outcomes for communities.

Steve has extensive experience within Citizens Advice both nationally and locally. He previously served as a national trustee and has held senior leadership roles within a local Citizens Advice, giving him a strong understanding of local community leadership and delivery.

Alongside his executive role, Steve is a Non-Executive Director at South Lakes Housing and an advocate and campaigner for people living with HIV.

Eleanor Bowden is a Board Member at Peaks & Plains Housing Trust and Chair of the Governance Committee.

Her executive career spans social housing, social impact and strategic advisory work. Eleanor is Managing Director at Pineapple Homes, where she advises housing providers on complex strategic challenges, with a particular focus on retrofit, investment, emerging funding models and partnership structures.

Alongside her executive role, Eleanor has extensive board and governance experience across the housing sector. She also serves as a non-executive director at Livv Housing Group, where she chairs the People and Governance Committee, bringing a strong focus on governance, organisational performance and strategic assurance.

Earlier in her career, Eleanor worked in housing strategy at Homes England and founded a social impact business focused on improving access to wheelchair-accessible homes.

Eleanor brings a combination of commercial perspective, governance expertise and a strong commitment to housing’s social purpose.

Outside work, she is a keen rugby fan and a proud supporter of the Red Roses.

Laura is a Chartered Surveyor with over 25 years' experience managing the entire lifecycle of assets across many different sectors.

She has worked in the private sector as a consultant, and also for Boots, Sainsburys and BP managing their retail portfolios.

For the past 5 years she has made the transition to work in social housing, with experience as a Director at Bromford and currently is the Executive Director for Property at Livv Housing Group in the Liverpool City Region. Laura is a passionate advocate of the customer, always aspiring to give excellent service delivery.

Outside of work, Laura lives in Cheshire, is a keen equestrian and loves a country ramble in her spare time.

Co-optee Board Member

Anthony joined Peaks & Plains in 2018 as a co-optee to the Audit Committee and he was subsequently appointed to the Board in 2019. SInce 1st August 2025 he has been a co-opted member of the Board.

He had a long career in the banking sector and in 2013 set up his own business providing advice to small and medium sized businesses on matters such as strategic business issues, budget management and performance management.

He has held a number of non executive Board roles for a range of small businesses and acts as a business mentor. He is currently Chair of Lincolnshire Housing Partnership.

Trust Board Member and Chair - Peaks & Plains Devco

Fiona joined the Board as a co optee member in 2020 and was appointed as a full member of the Board in October 2021.

Fiona, a development consultant, has over 35 years of development experience within the public and private housing sector having been involved in the delivery of around 5,000 affordable homes involving social housing and multi tenure development.

Trust Board Member and Audit Committee Chair

Jerry joined the Board in April 2025. He lives in Cheshire and has a strong attachment to Macclesfield and the surrounding area having worked here for a significant portion of his career. A Chartered Accountant by profession, he brings skills and wide experience from both the social housing sector and a variety of private sector organisations. He has previously been a Board member at Great Places Housing Group where he was Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee.

Jerry has a strong interest in education with previous non-executive roles at Manchester Business School and Macclesfield College. He is currently a Governor at Cheshire College, South and West. He is married with two children and is passionate about music, books and gardening. He aims to walk at least 1500 miles every year! He is excited to be returning to a sector which plays an important role in addressing our country’s housing needs in a geographic area he knows well.

Trust Board Member

Paul joined the Trust’s Board in May 2024.

He is a highly experienced technologist who has worked across a variety of public and private sector roles.

Since joining dock10 in December 2009, as Chief Technology Officer, Paul has been responsible for technology strategy and delivery at MediaCityUK – developing and supporting its vision of becoming a leading international hub for the creative and digital sectors and home to the UK’s best loved television programmes.

Trust Board Member & Senior Independent Director

Phil joined the Board in April 2025. He is is Director of Property for The Riverside Group and has over 40 years knowledge and experience in Asset Management having operated at senior level in both the public and private sector delivering holistic asset management and integrated housing services. Phil has a passion for innovation, transformation and change and has led on many projects implementing new technology, developing services and improving efficiency and effectiveness.

Phil is a committee member of the NHMF, and Direct Works where in both roles he plays a leading role in supporting collaboration, and the sharing of best practice with partners and suppliers from many different sectors. Phil is also an experienced non-executive and is currently chair of Three Sixty, a subsidiary of Stockport Homes and has recently become a Trustee of Fusion 21 Foundation.

He is looking forward to working with fellow Board members at Peaks & Plains and contributing to the delivery of the Trust's corporate plan objectives and improved customer service for residents.

Phil lives in Cheshire and in his spare time he enjoys holidays, cycling adventures both home and abroad, and can often be seen at weekends training around the Cheshire lanes.