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  2. About us
  3. Who we are

Who we are

Meet our Board and Executive team

    Executive team

  • John Verge

    Chief Executive and Executive Board member
    John has over 30 years of experience working in the social housing sector. John became chief executive of Golden Lane Housing in 2018, having worked for the national learning disability and autism housing association since 2000.

  • Shaeen Azam

    Chief Finance Officer and Executive Lead: Risk and Audit Committee
    Shaeen is an experienced finance director with over fourteen years of experience in the housing sector.

  • Emily Collinson

    Director of Development and Growth and Executive Lead: New Business Committee
    Emily has been an integral part of Golden Lane Housing since March 2003. She has gathered a huge amount of experience by working in different roles within the organisation, and this comprehensive understanding of its operations has proven invaluable to her leadership.

  • Melissa O’Donnell

    Director of Property and Sustainability and Executive Lead: Housing and Property Committee
    Melissa joined the organisation in 2008 as business development manager, having previously worked in the social housing sector for 13 years.

  • Paul Knight

    Interim Director of Housing and Tenant Experience
    Paul joined the organisation in 2025 having spent over 30 years in social housing. During this time he has learned that real success comes from putting people first, both colleagues and tenants.

  • Emma Midgley

    Director of Business Services and Executive Lead: People, Nominations and Remuneration Committee
    Emma joined Golden Lane Housing in April 2025 as Director of Business Services, overseeing the Marketing and Communications, IT, Governance and Risk and People and Culture services.

    • Board member

  • Steve Secker

    Chair of the Board
    Steve has wide experience of housebuilding development, Project Management, Finance, IT, Risk Management and Corporate Social Responsibility.

  • Jonathan Bunt

    Vice Chair of the Board, Chair of People, Nominations and Remuneration Committee and Member of New Business Committee
    Jonathan is Co-founder and Director of Beehive Affordable Homes. He predominantly works with local authorities in the development and delivery of affordable homes focussing on the financial, funding and structuring of housing schemes and regeneration programmes

  • Bernie Keenan

    Board member, Chair of New Business Committee and Member of Housing and Property Committee
    Bernie has over 35 years of experience in housing roles. He recently retired from his role as Deputy Chief Executive of Progress Housing Group and Chief Operating Officer of Reside with Progress.

  • Natalie Macpherson

    Board member, Member of People, Nominations and Remuneration Committee and Member of Board and Tenants Working Together
    Natalie lives with her family in the East Midlands and has a son with Autism. Natalie has worked in social care and specialist education for over 25 years, and her career path has been driven by her values and strong belief in ensuring that everyone, no matter what their abilities is supported to achieve their ambition and full potential.

  • Jason Ridley

    Board member, Chair of Risk and Audit Committee and Member of People, Nominations and Remuneration Committee
    Jason Ridley was appointed a Golden Lane Housing non-executive director and Chair of the Risk and Audit Committee in December 2024.

  • Darren Ryland

    Board member, Co-chair of Board and Tenants Working Together and Member of Risk and Audit Committee
    Darren lives in Northampton with his wife and three daughters. His passion for social housing resonates from the personal experience of his own childhood.

  • John Turner

    Board member, Member of Risk and Audit Committee and Member of Housing and Property Committee
    John is a Chartered Accountant and former Investment Banker.

  • Valerie Waby

    Board member, Chair of Housing and Property Committee Member of New Business Committee. Member responsible for complaints.
    A qualified Chartered Accountant, Valerie has filled senior roles across the voluntary sector including as a Trustee of Samaritans.

  • Ruth Dent

    Board member, Member of New Business Committee and Member of Housing and Property Committee
    Ruth joined the Golden Lane Housing Board in March 2026. She is currently Chief Experience Officer at RE:GEN Group, an organisation which achieves sustainable social housing regeneration.

  • Nic Marriott

    Board member, Member of People, Nominations and Remuneration Committee and Member of Risk and Audit Committee
    Nic is Chief Operating Officer for Post Office Insurance and has an extensive background in HR across various sectors.