Our people

Donna Cezair

Chief Executive

I joined Worthing Homes as Chief executive in January 2023,  having previously been Chief Executive at First Choice Homes Oldham (FCHO).

With an an extensive background in social housing, coupled with a real passion for delivering great customer experience, I ensure that customers have a voice and an impact on influencing and shaping the organisation.

My experience in delivering change and transformation, with focus on collaborating with communities and key stakeholders whilst creating a great environment for colleagues to be their best selves fits in perfectly with the existing Worthing Homes ethos.

Working with the board, colleagues, residents and partners we will continue to build on the organisations firm foundations.

Julian Pitcher

Resources Director

I am a chartered accountant with 20 years’ experience in social housing senior management roles.  As Resources Director and Company Secretary at Worthing Homes I have responsibility for business support services including finance, IT, human resources and governance. My main responsibilities include financial strategy, treasury management and corporate governance.

Previously I was Operational Director of Exeter Housing Society, with responsibility for customer services including housing management, resident involvement and maintenance.

I am also a board member of Sussex Housing and Care, where I am chair of the audit and risk committee.

Guy Collar

Operations Director

I joined Worthing Homes in December 2015 and have over 30 years’ experience in housing. I am a full member of the Chartered Institute of Housing and undertook a postgraduate diploma in housing studies early in my career. I started my career as a trainee housing assistant for a housing association a similar size to Worthing Homes – Coastal Counties Housing Association – managing stock in Brighton and Hove and elsewhere in Sussex.

Prior to joining Worthing Homes, I worked for Southern Housing Group. In 2005 I became the Regional Director for Southern Housing’s South region, with responsibility for delivery of its frontline housing management services to 8,000 homes of mixed tenure across Sussex, Surrey and Kent. In addition to this, I led on setting up, and then management of the organisations customer contact centre in Horsham, West Sussex.

I am passionate about the delivery of frontline services and ensuring a positive experience for customers.

Angela Potter

Head of HR and Governance

I initially joined  Worthing Homes as HR Manager in 2014 and became Head of HR and Governance in 2015. I have extensive experience working in commercial, public and non for profits organisations providing all aspects of HR advice and guidance, designing and delivering Organisational Development Strategies; operating as Strategic Partner to businesses, leading on aligning people matters to the strategic and operational needs of the business.

My career started working with people with disabilities to gain employment and supporting them to learn all aspects of the role, it was this experience to drove me to work in HR so I could help create more inclusive cultures.

Louise Laraway

Head of Finance

I am a qualified certified accountant and I joined Worthing Homes in 2016 as Finance Manager, having spent the previous 17 years in various finance based roles in the Domiciliary Care sector. I am dedicated to working within organisations with a strong social values framework.

I have responsibility for the Finance, IT Services, Procurement and Leasehold Services teams and am committed to ensuring that we provide the best possible support and services to our customers, both internal and external.

I am keen to embrace change and innovation to improve efficiency, enhance our customers’ experience and to enable Worthing Homes to thrive.

Ian Reed

Head of Asset Management

I am a Chartered Building Surveyor with over 30 years’ experience within the property sector. I  joined Worthing Homes in May 1999 as the Planned Programme Manager shortly after Worthing Homes was formed following the large scale voluntary transfer from the Local Authority. Previously I held the role of Asset Manager before becoming Head of Asset and New Business in 2015.

My primary responsibilities include the delivery of new homes, asset management, property compliance and leading our in-house property services and, grounds and facilities teams with the ultimate aim of creating quality homes and thriving communities for our customers.

Simon Anderson

Head of Business Improvement

I joined Worthing Homes in 2006 as a Neighbourhood Housing Officer having previously worked for Hyde Housing and Brighton and Hove City Council.

In 2010 I became the Neighbourhood Manager  and then in 2013 the Resident Services Manager. In this role I oversaw our community development work which included Worthing Homes securing further lottery funding for the Community House and the set up of our Lovett hub in Maybridge Square.

In 2015 I became Head of Customer Services overseeing the delivery of many of the services we provide our customers.

I am passionate about providing people with a safe and secure place to live and opportunities to further their lives.

Damian Haley

Head of Development

I joined Worthing Homes in 2016 and have over 20years experience working in Development for a number of regional and national Registered Providers in the East Midlands and South of England. I started my career with roles in Finance and Lettings which helped shape my understanding of delivering a scheme within agreed budget costs, to high quality standards and most importantly creating new homes and communities that tenants and leaseholders can be proud to live in.

I am responsible for sourcing new business opportunities across West Sussex and I manage a small team of 5 people who help deliver our annual programme of up to 100 homes for local people to rent and buy. We aim to provide well designed, sustainable and cost efficient housing for our customers.

Jasper South

Head of Customer Services

I joined Worthing Homes in September 2021 having worked in housing for over 25 years. I have been in senior management roles leading operational housing management services in Sheffield and London, and in the last five years I have been a consultant working for housing associations and local authorities across England.

My role here is to lead on customer experience, neighbourhood management, lettings, income collection, financial inclusion, responsive repairs, resident engagement and community development. I’m passionate about making sure the voice of our customers is heard, so that we are able to meet their needs and provide good quality homes and the best possible customer service.

Chris Simpson

Chair of the Board 

Independent

I joined the board in September 2016, became chair of the development committee in 2017 and was delighted to accept the post of Board Chair in 2022.

My background is somewhat eclectic including Engineering, Outsourcing and Marketing Services.  I spent twelve years running digital companies and have now run my own consulting business for ten years. I teach for the Open University Business School and am Independent Trustee on two Employee Ownership Trusts.

I look forward to developing the board and the organisation and building on its successes in the context of a new and challenging environment for our residents, staff and other stakeholders.

Simon Brown

Audit committee

Independent

I was pleased to be offered the opportunity to join the board as an independent member in October 2022.

I have been the Head of Internal Audit and Risk for a registered provider of social housing since October 2019.  Prior to that, I worked for mid-tier accounting firm for 20 years, specialising in the provision of outsourced internal audit services to a variety of organisations in the private and public sectors.During this time I specialised in the delivery of internal audit, risk management and compliance services to a number of housing associations, including members of the G15.

I am a qualified member of the Chartered Institute of Internal Auditors and hold the International Certificate in Enterprise Risk Management from the Institute of Risk Management.

I am looking forward to using my significant experience in housing, internal audit and risk management to help Worthing Homes to provide good quality homes now, and in the future.

Helen Rice

Development Committee

Independent

It is a real privilege to be part of the board of Worthing Homes.

I’m Chief Executive of Age UK West Sussex, Brighton and Hove and I am passionate about housing and services for the elderly as well as the rights of local citizens. A trained community development professional I believe Community Development should be at the heart of our work and that to thrive we need safe, affordable housing and to be a part of a wider community that we can feel connected to. I believe that together we can transform neighbourhoods and keep loneliness at bay.

I’m also Chair of Grace Eyre a leading learning disabilities charity and a board director of Brighton Peoples’ Theatre – providing theatre for all.

I’m deeply interested and passionate about my local community and hope that my time with Worthing Homes can drive change and continue to develop the organisation to be the very best it can be for the people it serves.

Nigel Perryman

Audit Committee

Independent

A qualified accountant with over 40 years’ experience, I  have worked as both borrower and lender in the social housing sector, and before that in two commercial property development companies. I have a broad UK-wide experience of associations of different types and sizes (having worked in a care organisation, a traditional association an LSVT and an ALMO).

From 2005 to 2017 I have  worked at The Housing Finance Corporation, travelling throughout the UK lending £2bn of bond finance and European Investment Bank funding to housing associations.

Since 2017 I  have undertaken three Non-Executive Director roles; with Worthing Homes, Riverside and Rosebery Housing Association. I have  used this experience to undertake various consultancy assignments, with a bias towards training Board members in housing association finance matters.

Colin Goodwin

Chair of Development Committee

Independent

I was very pleased to accept the appointment as an Independent Board Member with Worthing Homes due to my empathy with the ambition not only to build and improve local housing but most importantly at the same time to create places and communities where local people want to live.

I am a Chartered Surveyor and independent consultant with over 35 years’ prior experience in the UK property Industry and I am looking forward to using my skill knowledge and experiences, especially relating to new developments, refurbishment and regeneration projects undertaken by Worthing Homes.

Vivien Knibbs

Chair of Audit Committee

Independent

I am a highly experienced housing professional with significant expertise gained working at the highest levels in roles across the housing sector. I am a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Housing. I am currently working as an interim Executive Director and look forward to contributing my experience to the work of Worthing Homes.

I have a track record of delivering strategic change programmes to achieve business growth, increased efficiency and first class customer service. I have an excellent understanding of risk management and control and all aspects of operational delivery of a housing service.

I am passionate about engaging and involving customers in the improvement of services and how they are delivered, and hope I can contribute in this area

Chongo Shula

Development Committee

Tenant

I am very excited to be appointed as a Worthing homes non-executive tenant board member in January 2020. I appreciate this opportunity and I am looking forward to bringing experience on a work and personal level.

I work as a planning and purchasing executive for an Energy company focusing on people readiness, technical qualification and logistics. I work closely with internal and external customers and supporting an operational team with the aim to recommend and stabilise cost via performance reporting.

I am well-travelled; having been very fortunate to have lived and studied in many countries. I contribute to various groups through volunteering and enjoying giving back to the community. I believe we all have a purpose and duty to look after each other.

I am really looking forward to expanding my skills further and exercising my experience via my role as a board member to deliver Worthing Homes mission, vision and values.

Peju Fabunmi

Development Committee

Independent

I am delighted to accept the invitation to join the board of Worthing Homes. I believe my values align with the Worthing Homes ethos and I actively seek to influence good quality, affordability and efficiency in the provision of new homes for those in need.
I have 25 years involvement in the housing sector, mostly as a development manager and as a consultant with specific experience in housing development, acquisitions and disposals. I began my career as a planner and urban designer for a local authority, and then switched to managing the development of new homes for registered housing providers, development companies and local authorities.

I’m also a board member at Greenoak Housing Association and chair of their assets and new business committee. I’m a CIH (Chartered) member and RICS Associate. My interests include mentoring young people and career professionals, as I enjoy seeing people flourish.

As I join the board in autumn 2022 – a challenging time for registered landlords and the wider economy – I hope my knowledge, experience and enthusiasm will be relatable and of value as a non-executive with Worthing Homes.

Michael Burke

Tenant

I am very pleased to have been appointed to the Board of Worthing Homes as a Non-Executive Director representing the interests of residents.

A member of the Chartered Institute of Purchasing & Supply (CIPS) and the International Association for Contract & Commercial Management (IACCM), I have over 35 years’ work experience as a senior chartered procurement professional in the private, public and third sectors.

I have a genuine passion for the quality of the homes and the community we live in and I am committed to representing the interests of residents on the Board in relation to strategic issues.

Emily Martin

Independent

Emily joined the Prison Service in 2008 after a career in social care that saw her working in mental health, drug and alcohol services, and homelessness settings in the community. Emily has been Deputy Governor at Downview, Brixton and Wormwood Scrubs, and did a stint with London CRC as the Director of Custody and Interventions. Most recently she has been the Governor of HMPYOI Feltham where she worked hard to bring the establishment out of special measures and now both sides of the jail (young people side and young adults’ side) have impressive HMIP scores and have been recognised for good practice in terms of care and safety. Emily joined HMP High Down in March 2022 and is relishing the challenge of transitioning the establishment from Cat B local into a Cat C training and resettlement prison.

Emily is passionate about people and helping them fulfil their potential and recognises the part good stable accommodation plays in that and is honoured to be part of the board for Worthing Homes.