Michael Pughsley (Chairman of the Trustees)
Appointed 14th February 2022. Michael has been a senior leader for a number of years and is currently Director of Housing and Deputy Chief Executive in a North London housing association. He has 30 years’ experience in social housing working strategically and operationally in housing management, supported housing, asset services and development for registered providers as well as the public sector. He also has wide and current experience of consultancy and training work in the sector.
Ian Anderson (Vice-Chairman of the Trustees)
Appointed 27th May 1980. Ian is a property partner at Curwens Solicitors who has worked for many years in the charity sector. He is a past Chairman of the Herts Law Society Property Committee, an Elder at Trinity Church North Finchley, and a member of Finchley Chamber Choir.
Adam Gheasuddin
Adam has worked as an Operations Manager for over 30 years. Working for BT on their telecommunications infrastructure for the Docklands, the Metropolitan Police and TfL. Adam values community service having been a school governor as well as a youth club football coach. He has also participated in raising money for the NHS, local and international schools and for displaced people due to war. In 2018 he assisted in organising and delivering the International Human Rights Commission World Conference in London. Throughout his professional life, Adam has enjoyed building a team environment that values diversity and respect.
Chinyere Ugwu
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 passionate about working collaboratively with organisations and communities in helping people realize their best potential. Chinyere is also the Chair of the Fuel Land Allotments Committee.
Councillor Danny Rich
Appointed 1st March 2023, Danny is a councillor in the London Borough of Barnet and chairs the Overview & Scrutiny Committee for the council. He has extensive lived experience of supporting local communities and was, until 2020, the Senior Rabbi and Chief Executive of Liberal Judaism in the United Kingdom.
Graham Old
Appointed 12th February 2018. Graham has lived in East Finchley for 32 years. He worked as a management accountant in the City and subsequently as a tax inspector. He was elected to Barnet Council in 2010 having previously served for 8 years as a Councillor in Merton. Graham is the Chair of the Finance and IT Committee.
Leila Satar
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 different organisations throughout her career including the housing sector. She is currently employed at Metropolitan Thames Valley Housing association as a senior management accountant.
Nigel Benjamin
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. Nigel is a Chartered Director and a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development.
The Reverend Philip Davison
Appointed 24th November 2008. Philip is Rector at St Mary-at-Finchley, the historic Parish of Finchley, which 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.
Richard Merrin
Appointed17th 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.
Susanna Morales
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 with 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. Susanna was previously a Director in charge of Project Management and Employer’s Agent services at a construction consultancy. In her spare time, Susanna enjoys travelling and eating with family and friends. Susanna is the Chair of the Property Services Committee.