The Finchley Charities is governed by a board of voluntary Trustees who contribute a wealth of professional expertise and lived experience. to the organisation, while reflecting the diversity of the community we serve.
The Trustees decide the overall aims of the charity, hold overall responsibility for decision-making and long-term strategy, so as to ensure our financial stability while keeping the wellbeing of our residents at the heart of everything we do. Their varied perspectives on risk, strategy and organisational culture are fundamental to our continued growth and impact.
The Board is responsible for reviewing our activities and for providing detailed report within our audited accounts and annual Impact Report. They oversee essential annual reviews of Risk, Equality and Diversity, Resident Surveys, and Complaints together with regular updates on Building Safety Compliance. Trustees also chair and serve on committees that cover the key business areas, including Finance, Housing, and Property Services while participating in group activities to scrutinise strategic issues and opportunities in more depth.
Strong governance helps build stronger communities, and our Trustees, who formally declare any potential or perceived conflicts of interest, are committed to leadership that truly represents the community. To assist them, we encourage residents to take an active role in our work through focus groups and committees, such as the Health and Safety Committee. If you are interested in participating, or supporting the Finchley Charities in any way, please contact us at info@thefinchleycharities.org
Appointed 17th May 2021, Richard has deep roots in Barnet, with a long connection to the area. With family in East Finchley, it is an area he knows well having lived there himself for well over a decade. His background is in marketing and communications, working with and for many well-known companies.
“I firmly believe communication plays a vital role in all aspects of life and I bring my decades of long professional experience delivering this to play on behalf of the residents and team at Finchley Charities”
Appointed 14th February 2022, Chinyere has extensive experience working in various executive and board positions in Housing, Community Development/Engagement and Customer Services. This includes 6 years as CEO of Hillside Housing Trust and Chair of Catalyst Housing Charitable Trust. More recently she was the Vice Chair of Westway Housing Association and Director of Community and Customer Relations for Homes for Haringey. Chinyere is also the Chair of the Fuel Land Allotments Committee.
“I’m passionate about working collaboratively with organisations and communities in helping people realize their best potential. We make sure residents have a voice in things that matter and at all levels, encouraging them to speak up about any issues that affect the day to day running of their homes”
Appointed 14th February 2022, Nigel started his career in human resources at British Gas. He then went on to lead HR in two national charities, a university and an NHS hospital. In addition, he was on the Executive of English Churches Housing Group and has been a non-executive board member for Watford Community Housing Group for the last eight years and has also performed a similar role with The Alzheimer’s Society. Nigel is a Chartered Director and a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development.
“It’s through my experience with a wide range of housing organisations in both the public, private and charity sectors and my background of being a business consultant and coach that helps me lend focus to the community, support and inclusion necessary in my role with TFC”
Appointed in 2025, Jules is an accomplished and highly effective executive with demonstrable leadership credentials in asset management, customer service, organisational change, procurement, commercial acumen and effective partnership delivery. His expertise across housing associations, consultancy and local authorities, helps create and inspire successful teams and cultures at scale and in complex settings.
“My specialist area of expertise is that of providing real estate advisory services. Through end-to-end planning, design, project and programme management in key sectors such as housing, retail and town centres, government property and occupier advisory. I am delighted to be able to support and provide these skills and ensure quality in my role as Trustee at The Finchley Charities”
Appointed 24th April 2025, David has worked in the social housing sector since 2007. He is presently responsible for financial planning and treasury at one of South West Herts largest housing associations. David has previous experience across a range of senior leadership roles in both the public and private sector. He is a qualified corporate treasurer and chartered management accountant and has lived in Barnet all his life.
“I’m pleased to be able to provide both my life skills and work experiences in delivering high quality services and homes for our residents and supporting the values and vision of The Finchley Charities”
Appointed 24th November 2008, Philip is Rector at St Mary-at-Finchley. This Church in the historic Parish of Finchley, was instrumental in the founding of The Finchley Charities. For this reason, the Rector is an Ex-Officio Trustee. He has been a trustee of other charities dedicated to the relief of those in need. The Parish of Finchley remains committed to the well-being of all the people of Finchley. Philip is the Chair of the Housing and Support Services Committee.
“I firmly believe that as a trustee of this charity my responsibility is first and foremost to protect both the wellbeing and assets of our residents whilst also ensuring that this works in tandem with that of Barnet as a whole. My focus is to make sure we support them in any way and their needs are both looked after and protected”
Appointed in October 2024 as a local authority trustee, Helen has more than 30 years’ experience in a variety of senior NHS HR roles including as HR Director. Helen has lived in East Finchley since the 1980s and has served as a local councillor and now volunteers for several local charities.
“As a Trustee, I’m incredibly fortunate to be able to combine my professional background in HR and passion for local public service to support The Finchley Charities in its mission to provide high quality housing for our community. I believe we can continue to thrive and improve through working with and through our developing community and delivering inclusive and supportive services”
Appointed 24th April 2025, Daniel has over 25 years experience in investment banking and international corporate administration services and is involved in carve outs, IPO and take-private of these businesses. He has board experience in real estate, private equity and family offices. He now lives in Barnet after having spent periods of his career in the United States and Asia. Daniel is a Chartered Member of the Institute of Bankers in Scotland (CIOBS).
“This is the part of London that I was brought up in and went to school here. Now after some years overseas and in the private sector I lean on some of these experiences to help and assist the charity, the residents and facilities to be the best they can be to support the community and ensure we can deliver the help and care that is needed.”
Appointed 14th February 2022, Susanna was born and raised in the Finchley area and still lives locally. She has worked in the affordable housing and construction sector for over 15 years. She has expertise in development and modern methods of construction and is currently Deputy Head of New Build delivering regeneration and residential projects for Barnet Homes Limited. She was previously a Director in charge of Project Management and Employer’s Agent services at a construction consultancy. Susanna is the Chair of the Property Services Committee.
“Having managed projects within and outside of London with differing size, scale and client objectives, I have recently returned to affordable housing and love making a difference to those in housing need. I have worked for both public and private sector organisations and understand the challenges and motivations of each and I bring my skills to The Finchley Charities”
Appointed 1st March 2023, Danny is a councillor and was elected as the 61st Mayor of Barnet. He also chairs the Overview & Scrutiny Committee for the council whilst sitting on several other committees, including the Licensing and General Purposes Committee. In addition to his current duties as Senior Rabbi at Southgate Progressive Synagogue, he is a Justice of the Peace (Magistrate) in South West London and a hospital chaplain. He has extensive lived experience acumen and effective partnership delivery. His expertise across housing associations, consultancy and local authorities, helps create and inspire successful teams and cultures at scale and in complex settings.
“I receive a tremendous sense of wellbeing and am immensely proud of our strong community spirit and friendly supportive atmosphere. The Charity is whole heartedly committed to equality, diversity and inclusion. We encourage applications from those groups which are currently underrepresented. The Charity is fully committed to safeguarding and the promotion of the welfare all our residents – whatever their status”
Appointed 14th February 2022, Leila is originally from Mauritius and has been living in the UK since the 1990’s. She is a qualified accountant and has been working for a variety of different organisations throughout her career including the housing sector. She is currently employed at Metropolitan Thames Valley Housing association as a senior management accountant.
“Accountability is a vital aspect of how we interact with our stakeholders. Good accounting practice underpins good accountability, which supports the building of trust between ourselves and our stakeholders. Trust is essential to our charity’s continued health”
Appointed 24th April 2025, John was brought up and attended school in Finchley before moving to Hertfordshire in his twenties. He has worked for a number of London Boroughs as both a surveyor and housing officer. He is currently Chief Executive of a traditional Housing Association based in Letchworth the world’s first garden city. John is a fellow of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors and corporate member of the Chartered Institute of Housing.
“As somebody who grew up in social housing in Finchley, I know how much that provides the foundation of every aspect of life and opportunity. I am pleased and privileged to be part of an organisation that has such a rich heritage and history in providing homes and services for those in Barnet that need them most. I hope that the skills and experience I bring to the Board of Trustees will also add to that into the future”