All Board members – each one a volunteer – bring with them the expertise of their day-to-day profession or background. Together they determine MHA’s strategy and vision for meeting the needs of older people and ensure that the management team and staff deliver the service. MHA has three Boards. Methodist Homes is the parent body, responsible for the overarching strategy, mission and values of MHA as well as all care homes and live at home operations. Methodist Homes Housing Association is a housing subsidiary, responsible for all housing operations. MHA Auchlochan is a charitable subsidiary, responsible for Auchlochan Retirement Village in Scotland which provides a range of care homes and independent living properties.
Keith Salsbury - (Chair of Methodist Homes)
Keith acquired a vast experience of health care at all levels having served for 30 years in the National Health Service including 11 years as Chief Executive of Wakefield Health Authority. He holds an MBA in Health and Social Care Management.
Since retiring he has been a trustee of a hospice and Chair of a local cancer charity, as well as a Board member of MHA. Keith has been Chair of MHA since 2008 and is a lifelong member of the Methodist Church.
Shelagh Morgan - (Chair of Methodist Homes Housing Association)
Currently Housing Manager/Chief Executive of Chichester Greyfriars Housing Association which provides rented accommodation for older people. Professional experience has included housing management and senior management in local authorities, Resource Manager for a leading Housing IT supplier and Chief Executive of the Methodist Ministers' Housing Society. Shelagh is a member of the Chartered Institute of Housing, a local preacher and organist.
Brian Coldwell - (Chair of MHA Auchlochan)
Brian received the award OBE in 1990 for 'Services to the Teesside Community'. He is currently Chairman of the Board of Governors of the 'Cleveland College of Art and Design'. Prior to this he served as chairman of several charities in the Teesside area as well as being a past President of the Teesside Chamber of Commerce. From 1993 he served for 7 years as Chairman of the Executive of the Methodist Council followed by Chairman of the Group Board of MHA for a period of 9 years.
Before his retirement from full time employment his career included Personnel and Services Manager with ICI plc. - and Chief Executive of a business leadership team called 'Teeside Tomorrow.'
Mike Bamford – Methodist Homes
Worked as MAYC Director of Breakout for the Methodist Church. Previous to that he has 14 years experience with Yorkshire Electricity Board as Business and Commercial Manager in the Electrical Contracting Division. This was followed by a spell at Powerminster Ltd as Commercial Director. He is a past member of the Methodist Council and of its Strategy and Resources Committee. He is a member of Eldwick Methodist Church. He is currently The Chairman of the Yorkshire District Rotary Foundation Committee, and Secretary of Bingley Airedale Rotary Club. His interests include Himalayan trekking, public speaking and Amateur Theatre.
Rev Wes Blakey – Methodist Homes
Wes studied Theology at Manchester University before entering his first Circuit appointment for the Methodist Church in Wigan. After appointments as Circuit Minister in Circuits in different areas of Lancashire and Newcastle upon Tyne he became District Chair of the Nottingham and Derby Methodist District in September 2000.
Rev Anne Gibson – Methodist Homes
Anne is the Superintendent Minister of the Leek Circuit of the Methodist Church and is currently Deputy Chair of the Chester and Stoke-on-Trent Methodist District. Anne has a broad experience of working with older people, primarily from when she worked in Social Services and latterly through providing pastoral care. Anne was previously a Board Member for Methodist Homes for the Aged and she was also involved in setting up the Victoria Live at Home Scheme in Sheffield
Dr David Hall - Methodist Homes
Dr David Hall’s career includes a 20 year period as a senior executive in the metal industry, followed by the role of Chief Executive of County Durham Training and Enterprise Council. His experience includes strategic planning and development, finance and HR. Dr Hall held a number of voluntary roles including Chair of the Board sub group for Equality and Diversity for his local NHS Trust, and Chair of Darlington Mind which provides care and housing support. His current appointments include Board Member of two Colleges in the University of Durham and Trustee of Darlington Council for Voluntary Services. Dr Hall is an active member of the Methodist Church
Professor Malcolm Johnson - Methodist Homes
Malcolm was a Professor of Health and Social Policy at the University of Bristol until 2002 and was previously Professor of Health and Social Welfare for the Open University. He is currently Visiting Professor of Gerontology and End of Life Care at the University of Bath and Senior Research Fellow. He is an academic social gerontologist with considerable knowledge of ageing and old age and has published widely on many aspects of ageing and lifespan. He has special interest in the long term care of older people, end of life issues and ageing and spirituality. He has been a senior manager in universities for over 20 years and has experience as a non-executive director of a care provider and extensive involvement with voluntary agencies.
Malcolm has served the United Reformed Church nationally and locally for many years, including 6 years as Convener for Church and Society. Since 2007 he has been Convenor for Education and Learning and a member of URC Mission Council.
Christine Paley - Methodist Homes
Chris currently provides consultancy services covering organisational change; policy development; strategic reviews and performance improvement for local authorities, the independent and voluntary sectors. Christine is a former Director of Adult Social Care and has held successful leadership roles at local and national level including as Advisor for Better Government for Older People. Christine has significant experience of residential, day-care and homecare services for older people and is a qualified Social Worker. She has held non-executive roles for the WRVS Board and HomeCare Europe, chairing the Older People's Committee of Association of Directors of Social Services for six years.
Joan Rippingale - Methodist Homes
Joan is a resident at Walcot Court, Bath, and serves as Hon. Treasurer of their Tenants' Association. Her previous career in Revenue spanned years in Northern Ireland, London and Zimbabwe. On return to Dublin, Ireland, to care for her elderly parents, she became a Relationship Counsellor and put her communication skills to use in health areas of hospital, clinic, nursing home and hospice. Joan spoke on specific matters of concern and public interest on Irish radio and television. She was Dublin Chair of a Methodist Residents' Association and an Executive Member of the Council on Social Responsibility for the Methodist Church in Ireland.
Andrew Robinson - Methodist Homes
Since 1997 Andrew has been Chief Executive of Homezone Housing Ltd. Homezone Housing Ltd. owns and manages 4500 homes including 1100 homes for older people, and is currently converting to charitable status. He has held a number of roles in local authority including more recently Director of Housing & Environmental Development for Lichfield District Council where he led the transfer of the housing stock to Homezone. Andrew is a member of the Regional Executive of the National Housing Federation (West Midlands).
Moira Simpson – Methodist Homes
Moira is a qualified accountant and worked for Walsall Metropolitan Borough Council for 13 years as Audit Manager up until 2002 when she took retirement. Her previous roles were Company Secretary / accountant. For 10 years Moira was the District Treasurer of the Wolverhampton and Shrewsbury District. She sits on the Connexional Grants Committee for the Methodist Church. Locally she is the Church Council Secretary at St John’s Methodist Church in Bloxwich, Walsall.
Graham Smith - Methodist Homes
Graham was MD of BUPA Care Services until 2000, providing services to over 30,000 older people. He had previously set up Goldsborough Healthcare PLC which was acquired by BUPA Care Services in 1997 and formed the core of BUPA’s care services. Graham has extensive experience of the long term care sector, providing a range of services (nursing, residential home care and sheltered housing) over the last 25 years. He is a qualified Chartered Accountant, with previous experience with PriceWaterhouse. Graham is currently a non-executive director of businesses involved in operating care homes in Spain, and childcare and dental care facilities in the UK and is a former Board Member of MHA.
Dia Balraj - Methodist Homes Housing Association
Dia started her career as a social worker for the London Borough of Brent and then became Group Manager for Private and Voluntary Homes in which she was also an Inspector. This position moved to the National Care Standards Commission. She remained in this post but then worked for CSCI and subsequently CQC before retiring in August 2009. Dia and her husband founded the charity Age-link which she is still indirectly involved with. Age-link entertains elderly house-bound people to tea once a month and also provides outings and trips in the summer.
Rev Dr Betty Bell - Methodist Homes Housing Association
Betty commenced her career as a Chemistry Teacher prior to holding positions as Senior Tutor and College Vice Principal. Whilst at the college Betty undertook ministerial training, later serving as a Superintendent Minister and Minister for almost 10 years. Betty has been a supporter of MHA for over 20 years involved in Hinton Court, sheltered housing scheme in Guisborough, in its early years. Additionally, through her ministry, Betty has worked extensively with older people. She also has a particular interest and personal experience of issues surrounding dementia care.
John Bowler - Methodist Homes Housing Association
John is an Architect by profession. With a career with local authorities, heading up property services, his responsibilities included social housing, new build, refurbishment and maintenance. He has also worked in the private sector and development corporations. Following retirement, John served on two separate committees of Hanover Housing Association. Current interests include archaeological excavation. He has a commitment to making a contribution to society.
Hilary Cocker – Methodist Homes Housing Assoication
Hilary is a chartered accountant and has worked in both the not for profit and private sector. She has a broad range of skills including leadership, managing change, risk management, financial strategy and audit. Hilary decided to leave full time employment at the end of 2008 to create time for public service and to set up her own consultancy and interim management business. Hilary has been a member of the Methodist Church for over 40 years.
Norman Mann - Methodist Homes Housing Association
Before retiring, Norman’s business experience was latterly with Cadbury Schweppes plc where he was involved in business planning, finance, and systems. He is currently involved in education matters as a lay member of QCA (Qualifications and Curriculum Authority), he sits on the Audit Committee, is Church Treasurer (LEP) and a member of Church Council. He is the Chair of the Methodist Church Audit Committee and observer at Methodist Council.
Hazel Watson - Methodist Homes Housing Association
Hazel has been a resident at Tranquility Court, Leeds for the last 2 years. For almost 22 years she worked as a teacher in Zimbabwe and for 15 of those years she was the Head of the Middle School responsible for 12 different classes. She then moved to Canada for 2 years to be close to her daughter. Hazel is currently a School Governor and also leads the Junior Church at her local church.
Peter Boggis – MHA Auchlochan
Peter’s principal experience is as a strategy consultant, helping companies and other organisations develop a vision and a plan for getting there. After qualifying as a Chartered Accountant, he spent some 10 years in Africa in Management Consulting before returning to Europe in 1989. Since then he has operated at a senior level with two international strategy consultancies and now operates as an independent consultant, business advisor and strategist. He and his wife, Margaret, are active members of Kirkby Lonsdale Methodist Church in Cumbria
Professor Moira Brown - MHA Auchlochan
During her career as a Virologist, Moira Brown was employed by the Medical Research Council and the University of Glasgow as Professor in Clinical Neurosciences. She is currently a Director of Crusade Laboratories Limited, the company she founded to develop new treatments for cancer. She is a Fellow of The Royal Society of Edinburgh, a Fellow of The Royal College of Pathologists and Professor Emeritus at the University of Glasgow. In addition, she is Chairman of Medical Research Scotland, Scotland’s largest healthcare charity. In 2007, Moira was awarded an OBE for services to healthcare.
Suzanne Flynn - MHA Auchlochan
Suzanne has an upper second class honours degree in Electrical Engineering from Imperial College, London and she undertook a Postgraduate course in Computing Science. She is a Chartered Electrical Engineer, a Fellow of the Institution of Engineering and Technology, a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, Manufacturers and Commerce, a Member of the Chartered Quality Institute and a Member of the Women’s Engineering Society. She was a founding Director of Cygnet Solutions Limited for which she is currently the Technical Director, Principal Consultant and Quality Manager. Suzanne has been invited to speak at various conferences and lectures.
Lawrence Park - MHA Auchlochan
Lawrence background stems from study of Medical Sciences with particular emphasis in Microbiology. Following service within Health Service moved into sales and marketing with a number of blue chip organisations. Glaxo Group, Johnson & Johnson Companies as International Business Director. Further appointments followed with Ansell Medical, Stille Werner and Aladan Corporation as International Sales and Marketing Director. Lawrence has been a church elder and lay preacher for over 40 years, and is currently secretary to a county evangelical outreach group.
Dennis Steele - MHA Auchlochan
Dennis is currently Chairman of the Auchlochan Trust, and is a resident on the Auchlochan estate. He was a Senior executive with City of London Companies active in International Trading and Commodities. He was a former Marketing executive of the Tesco Group. His latter years before retirement were spent in Nairobi, Kenya as Regional General Manager for the whole of East Africa, working for a major European Company involved in commodity trading, industrial planning development, investment and the training of local people for management. After retirement to Essex, he became Company Secretary and Director of Private Nursing Home, and Chairman of the Local Housing Association. A committed Christian for many years and served as church elder and secretary. While in Nairobi, he was Vice Chairman of the Emmaus Bible School.