Homes and Investment

Deb Thomas (Chair)

I have been a member of the Homes and Investment Committee since June 2022 and have chaired the committee since September 2024. I enjoy using my professional and technical expertise to review and oversee development activity at Havebury for the benefit of residents.

I joined Central & Cecil Housing Trust (C&C) in 2016, starting my career in the housing sector as part of its Development team. In August 2018, I became executive director for property and development, with responsibility for development, asset management, repairs and property compliance. Following C&C’s merger with Aster in January 2022, I became responsible for development in London.

Ben Johnson

I am a Fellow of the RICS and have extensive leadership experience in both executive and non-executive roles. I have gained this experience through a range of roles across housing associations, charities, contractors and consultancies over the past 20 years.

I have significant experience in asset management within the social housing sector and am currently managing director of a maintenance services company operating in the region.

In my spare time, I enjoy playing football, cycling and coaching my son’s football team.

Andrew Hill

I am currently the director of treasury and corporate finance at Clarion Housing Group, leading a team responsible for managing a debt portfolio of over £4.5bn. Born in Bury St Edmunds, I still live locally. I am a Fellow of the Association of Corporate Treasurers and a chartered accountant. My career spans a range of sectors including healthcare, manufacturing and more recently, housing. I have experience from a number of non-executive positions in local and national housing associations, most recently as a Non-Executive Director at Freebridge Community Housing. I was appointed to Board and Homes & Investment Committee in November 2023.

Jo Barrett

I have worked in social housing for more than 36 years, across local authorities, arms-length management organisations (ALMOs) and housing associations. I have experience across property and customer services and have been an executive director of operations for the past 17 years.

A quality home can be transformative in an individual’s life, and housing associations are well placed to deliver the homes and services communities need.

Havebury is already doing great things for its customers, and I’m looking forward to supporting this work and continuing this journey as a HIC Member.

Paul Newbold

I have worked in the affordable housing sector for over 35 years and have had the fortune to work for some great organisations, including Broadland Housing Group, Flagship Housing Group and Circle, now Clarion Housing.

My final full-time role was as executive director of new homes and commercial at Freebridge Community Housing in King’s Lynn.

I have also held non-executive roles at Greenfields Housing and The Riverside Group, and chaired Prospect Homes and Lion Homes in Norwich.

Leigh Johnson

I have over 38 years’ experience in property development, beginning my career in an architectural and engineering practice, before spending over 25 years in the private housebuilding sector. I have held senior roles in four of the country’s five major housebuilders, as well as a national role within the Government’s housing agency, Homes England, the focus and expertise being on land, planning and delivery of well-designed places.

In addition to my private, public sector and development experience, I also have experience of governance and organisational management.

Outside of work, I am married with a daughter and enjoy most countryside hobbies. I also have a variety of dogs, horses and chickens.