Governance Board

Homes North is at a place in its development where it is embarking on new strategic directions. The tripling of stock numbers, coupled with additional services in homelessness, social housing and private housing assistance, has created an opportunity for Homes North to think about our approach in a bigger, more connected way. As a leader in issues of housing and homelessness in the New England North West, it is out role to build connections across services, working with people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, supporting them in establishing and maintaining stable accommodation.

In recent times, our Board has welcomed Mr Ken Bone as Chair as well as a new board members, Mr Peter Johnston and Mr Patrick Wilsmore. As always, we are grateful for the contribution of our board and thank our new and continuing board members for their dedication and commitment to Homes North.

Ken Bone, Chairperson

I have had a long term commitment to services that empower people to have the ability and resources to choose and manage their own life journey and I want those services to continually challenge themselves as to how they provide opportunities to clients.

- Ken Bone, Chairperson: Appointed December 2020 (Director from June 2015)

Current Position
Consultant in governance, housing and project consultant. Board Chair Woodville Alliance.

Qualifications
Bachelor of Economics (University of Sydney).

Experience
Commonwealth public servant primarily Parliamentary and Health Departments. Group Manager Operations Parramatta City Council. General Manager for NSW Housing for Country City Operations. Board Chair for Western Suburbs Community Housing.

Special Responsibilities
Chairperson of the Transition Committee, appointed December 2018; Member Nomination Committee.

Alison Sheridan, Director

I welcome the opportunity to contribute to the important work Homes North is doing in our communities across the New England North West in providing affordable housing and helping to address economic inequality.

- Alison Sheridan, Director (Appointed March 2018)

Current Position
Professor in Management, UNE Business School

Qualifications
Bachelor of Agricultural Economics (Hons 1) (University of Sydney), PhD (University of New England), GAICD, FANZAM, PFHEA

Experience
Thirty years of teaching research and management roles at the University of New England. Experienced Director, including of Regional Australia Bank, New England North West Regional Development Board (2003-2007) and not for profit training organisations.

Special Responsibilities
Member of the Audit and Risk Committee

John Kleeman, Director

I joined the Board at a time when the social outcomes for our tenants was increasing in priority, alongside excellent housing provision, and Homes North was setting a new strategic plan. We have a real opportunity to make a difference, and it is a really good time to be involved.

- John Kleeman, Director (Appointed March 2018)

Current Position
Professor in Management, UNE Business School

Qualifications
Bachelor of Agricultural Economics (Hons 1) (University of Sydney), PhD (University of New England), GAICD, FANZAM, PFHEA

Special Responsibilities
Member of the Audit and Risk Committee

Janelle Speed, Director

I am enthusiastic to be supporting an organisation that is involved in social housing and look forward to giving back to our regional communities using my skills, experiences and Aboriginal cultural perspective.

- Janelle Speed, Director (Appointed September 2019)

Qualifications
Diploma in Management.

Current Position
Board member, Hunter New England Local Health District (HNELHD); Chair, Aboriginal Health Committee HNELHD; Committee Member, Good Health Committee & Community & Partnership Committee (HNELHD); Community Advisory Committee, New England Central Coast Primary Health Network; Community representative for Australian College of Rural & Remote Medicine; Committee Member, Myall Creek National Committee; Aboriginal Consultant, Convenor for Youth Justice Conference, Juvenile Justice.

Experience
Twenty years working in rural and metropolitan communities in various areas that include child care, Aboriginal community capacity worker, Aboriginal medical services, Lecture (UNE/Schools Medicine/Health), HNE Board Member (10 years – previously on Community Advisory Group HNE), Nationally Accredited Cultural Competency, rural and regional organisation.

Special Responsibilities
Member Nomination Committee.

Sue Ainsworth, Director

I joined the Homes North Board because I wanted to contribute to my Community. Everyone deserves to have safe, affordable, comfortable housing and Homes North are truly making a difference.

- Sue Ainsworth, Director (Appointed September 2019)

Current Position
Corporate Accountant, James Knox Investments Pty Ltd; Director, Australian Catholic Super and Retirement Fund (ACSRF); Member of ACSRF Audit Committee and Remuneration Committee.

Qualifications
Financial Administration (Accounting); Fellow CPA Australia; Graduate, Australian Institute of Company Directors; Justice of the Peace.

Experience
Twenty-four years experience in the financial services industry, including both the commercial and not-for-profit sectors.

Special Responsibilities
Member of the Audit and Risk Committee.

Cathy Duncan, Director

I have always been passionate about access, equality and being an advocate for social inclusion. I believe it is my civic duty to give back to our community and region. I joined Homes North to help empower Aboriginal people to charge their own destiny and ensure that we are working together to provide a better future for our clients, staff and community.

- Cathy Duncan, Director (Appointed September 2019)

Peter Johnston, Director

I believe that the best way I can contribute to making our communities better, safer places to live, work and raise families is by working closely with community-based, non-government, not-for-profit and charitable social enterprises like Homes North. I am focussed on Homes North continuing to grow sustainably for the benefit of the regional communities it serves.

- Peter Johnston, Director (Appointed November 2021)

Current Position
Deputy Chair of Hunter New England Health; Chair and Managing Director of Genre Consulting Pty Ltd; Senior Trainer and Assessor for Novaskill.

Qualifications
Master of Business Administration (RMIT), Bachelor of Business in Accounting (UTS), Diploma of Business (Governance), Diploma of Community Services (Service Coordination), Diploma of Vocational Education and Training, Diploma of Training and Development.

Professional
Graduate (GAICD) and Fellow (FAICD) of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, Fellow of the Governance Institute of Australia (FGIA), Fellow of the Institute of Community Directors (FICDA), Chartered Manager of the Chartered Management Institute (CMI-UK), Fellow of the Institute of Management and Leadership (FIML-AU/NZ), Professional Member of the Institute of Public Administration (Australia), and Member of Transparency Australia.

Experience
Thirty-five years working across a range of Commonwealth and NSW State Government enterprises and in the private sector for large organisations such as Telstra Corporation, Bovis-Lend Lease, Bank of America and Brambles Industries. Roles included corporate services manager, business services manager, property services manager, project manager, adult vocational educator, counsellor and principal consultant.

Special Responsibilities
Member of the Audit and Risk Committee.

Patrick Wilsmore, Director

I want to ensure we remain a strong advocate and supporter of all people in our communities, and we continue to deliver meaningful and affordable means of housing accommodation and supports. We have a responsibility to champion the lobbying of our state and federal governments to continue to improve the outcomes for disadvantaged and vulnerable people. I am focussed on delivering sustainable outcomes for Homes North and the Communities it operates in now and in the future whilst empowering the people we support.

- Patrick Wilsmore, Director (Appointed November 2021)

Current Position
Head of Customer Solutions, Lifestyle Solutions; Head of Bindi Enterprises; Deputy Chair, MADEC Ltd.

Qualifications
MBA Executive (CSU) (currently studying), Bachelor of Human Movement – Sports Science (CSU), Diploma in HRM AICD (currently studying), Advanced WorkCover RTW Certification, NFP Board Membership & Leadership Certificate, NSW Ombudsman Corporate & Incident Investigation Certificate, Certificate IV in WHS & Cultural Awareness.

Experience
Twenty-five years working across a diverse range of corporate, multinational & private enterprise organisations, sectors and funding channels. Executive, chief executive officer and board experience across human services, finance, not-for-profit, corporate retail, fast moving consumer goods, pharmacy and business consultancy. My strong commercial, business and people management acumen combined with my nous for developing high performance teams is attributed to my leadership success. These skills coupled with my dedication to the advocacy of the consumer and community have allowed me to be successful at organisations such as Coles Group, Woolworths Ltd, CMLG, IGA, Pharmacy Alliance, Lifestyle Solutions, Bindi Enterprises & LiveBetter.

Special Responsibilities
Member of the Nominations & Workforce Planning Committee.

Governance Board