Board of Directors
Highstone Housing Association is governed by a board of directors, whose responsibility it is to ensure HHA is compliant with its statutory and legal obligations as set out in its Articles of Association. Board members give their time voluntarily and are committed to providing homes of outstanding quality in partnership with local authorities.
Our board members have a rich and diverse skill set and experience, which is a great asset to HHA and its tenants.
Paul Common, Chair
Paul is the Chief Executive of Arches Housing Association. Paul joined Arches as Chief Executive in January 2018 and has a wide range of experience from over 30 years in the housing industry.
Paul started his career at the Housing Corporation and has worked at a senior level for a variety of local, regional and national housing associations. Before joining Arches Paul had undertaken interim roles at a Midlands local authority and a housing association in the North East.
Paul is a graduate and holds a Diploma in Management Studies and is an independent board trustee of Pickering and Ferens Homes.
Denise McConnell, Vice-Chair
Denise joined the board in August 2024 and was appointed to the role of Vice Chair in October 2024. Denise is a chartered accountant with significant executive, non-executive and senior management experience across the public sector including NHS Trusts, further & higher education, housing associations and central government. Denise is also a non-executive at Connect Housing and a member of Connect’s HR and Governance Committee.
Mark Dunford, Non-executive Director
Mark has been involved in social housing the majority of his career. As a qualified accountant his current role is Executive Director of Finance & Commercial at Together Housing Group, one of the largest housing providers in the North. He has held a number of NED roles in the past & is currently Chair of Empower Housing Association, a provider of specialist supported housing accommodation.
Amy Rhys-Davies, Non-executive Director
Amy joined the board in August 2024 and was appointed as our lead member for complaints in October 2024. Amy is an experienced senior leader who brings significant experience of property and governance in the charity and commercial property sectors to the HHA board.
Ian Johnson, Non-executive Director
Ian joined the board in August 2024 and combines his role with his day job as Executive Director of Customer Services at Karbon Homes. Ian has extensive experience of social housing and has worked in the sector for over 25years. Ian brings significant knowledge of property, customer service and health & safety along with regulatory compliance to the HHA board.
Ian has a strong external profile, and has sat on a small number of Boards as a non-executive including as the current Chair of Prosper and former Chair of Age Concern Tyneside South. Ian also sits on the National Policy Advisory Committee of the Chartered Institute of Housing.
