Our team

Tim is a graduate economist, Chartered Accountant and experienced leader across a range of sectors.

After a first career with KPMG, Tim founded and now Chairs a successful specialist economic development and financial advisory business, AMION Consulting. He also holds senior leadership positions as a non-executive director and trustee, including in property and the charitable sector. Until recently he was also a non-executive director and a Senior Independent Director in the NHS.

Tim is a non-executive Chairman of specialist public sector-focused joint venture developer, Langtree Property Partners Ltd (LPP). Tim also chairs The Big Trust, a charity helping disadvantaged people build new skills and find new jobs, and supporting children from disadvantaged areas explore future career opportunities.

Until late 2022, he was a Non-Executive Director and Senior Independent Director of Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, where he Chaired the New Hospital Committee. The new Royal hospital opened successfully in late 2022 after the extensive remedial work necessary after Carillion’s demise in 2018.

He is also Vice Chairman (honorary) of Lancashire County Cricket Club and Honorary Fellow of Liverpool John Moores University.

Dena has enjoyed over 25 years in strategic business development at FTSE 250 Construction companies and public sector organisations operating in the residential housing sector. She is currently an Independent Interim Director for Revision Property Solutions Ltd.

Dena has held senior Director roles with Vistry Partnerships, Kier Living and Lovell Partnerships, and is a Non-Executive Director at Storm Housing Group in the Midlands. Dena joined the Onward Board in November 2020 and sits on the Development Committee.

Kieran has over 30 years’ experience in senior roles across finance, audit risk and operations. A qualified accountant (FCCA), Kieran has had roles with Anglian Water Plc, twenty years in various management and leadership roles with the Places for People Group, most recently as Group Executive Director’ Operations and then Corporate Services.

In 2017, Kieran joined Lancaster City Council and become Chief Executive in 2019 and has led on several regeneration projects, steering the Council through the challenges of Covid along with leading for the Council on the project to being an “Eden of the North” to Morecambe Bay. Kieran retired from this post in March 2022.

Kieran is the Senior Independent Director, promoting effective relationships and open communication between the Board and Executive Team, and acting as the contact for colleagues for any whistleblowing concerns.

Sandy joined Onward in 2017 as Executive Director of Property with responsibility for development, asset management, repairs, and building safety. Prior to his appointment as Chief Executive, he was the Executive Director of Growth leading on our development pipeline. He also led on key elements of business transformation programme including our digital and IT strategy.

As Chief Executive, Sandy will lead the strategic direction of the organisation, oversee performance, and ensure we deliver our regulatory responsibilities. Sandy’s focus is working in partnership with our customers to deliver improved neighbourhood services, invest in our homes and neighbourhoods, and build more quality new homes across the North West on behalf of our communities.

Sandy is a Chartered Surveyor with a broad and extensive experience in housing, having started his housing career working for Glasgow Housing Association. Prior to joining Onward, he was a Director in Savills’ Housing Consultancy division.

Dani joined Onward in 2022 and oversees the financial viability of the organisation and ensures value for money is achieved through its operations.

Prior to joining the organisation, Dani was the Head of Financial Accounting at Riverside and held a number of senior finance positions in both the public and private sector. She was the Finance Director at Liverpool Airport for seven years and the Chair of Audit and Risk at South Liverpool Homes. Dani is qualified as both a Chartered Accountant and a Chartered Financial Analyst.

Dr Kate Jones is the Chief Information Officer for Stagecoach. Kate has previously held various operational and IT roles in Cadent and spent the first 15 years of her career running global Professional Services functions for Telecoms and Software Development companies.

Kate holds an MBA and a Doctorate and started her academic career as a Geographer with a passion for statistics, sustainable development and understanding how the world works. She is also a member of the West Midlands CBI regional council and the British Computer Society.

Tina is an experienced Board Member and Chief Operating Officer (COO)/Senior Business Manager. She started her career in commerce before moving to financial services. Her experience includes various roles at JPM, HSBC and Coca-Cola and most recently COO at a FX FinTech start-up.

Since 2011, Tina has successfully used her COO skills as a Non-Executive Director and Advisory Committee member in various roles. She has had a long-standing tenure at Comic Relief. Her current roles include NED and Chair of Finance Committee at British Rowing (National Governing Body), Vice Chair of Comic Relief’s Audit & Risk Committee and Vice Chair and Senior Independent Director for The Dame Kelly Holmes Trust.

As a CIMA qualified accountant, she is commercially driven with a reputation as a change agent, business collaborator and strategic advisor to optimise business performance and deliver transformational change.

Karl has enjoyed 40 years in housing and regeneration. A fellow of the Chartered Institute of Housing, Karl has held senior roles in local government becoming Director of Housing in Sheffield in 2005, where he led on neighbourhood regeneration and the investment and delivery strategy for achieving the Decent Homes standard in 64,000 homes.

From 2010, as Executive Director with the Homes and Communities Agency, Karl led regional teams to deliver projects and programmes across the north and midlands. He retired from Homes England in March 2023 as Director of Market Places and Partners when he led a national team to develop investment opportunities in challenging markets across the country and with a particular responsibility for levelling up places. With experience and a passion for delivering complex projects and programmes, Karl will continue his active involvement in delivering large urban regeneration projects through leadership and support roles. Karl is the member responsible for complaints.

A chartered surveyor, Diana Hampson has been Director of Estates and Facilities at The University of Manchester since 1997. In this role, Diana has delivered an ambitious capital build programme that has seen the creation of new facilities worth over £1billion. Diana manages an estate across 711 acres of land and is leading on the University’s Estates Masterplan to create a world-class facility for staff and students.

Sandy joined Onward in 2017 as Executive Director of Property with responsibility for development, asset management, repairs, and building safety. Prior to his appointment as Chief Executive, he was the Executive Director of Growth leading on our development pipeline. He also led on key elements of business transformation programme including our digital and IT strategy.

As Chief Executive, Sandy leads the strategic direction of the organisation, oversee performance, and ensure we deliver our regulatory responsibilities. Sandy’s focus is working in partnership with our customers to deliver improved neighbourhood services, invest in our homes and neighbourhoods, and build more quality new homes across the North West on behalf of our communities.

Sandy is a Chartered Surveyor with a broad and extensive experience in housing, having started his housing career working for Glasgow Housing Association. Prior to joining Onward, he was a Director in Savills’ Housing Consultancy division.

As a HR Professional with an extensive background in both the private and housing sector over a number of years, Jackie joined Onward in 2017.

Jackie is passionate about transformation, communication, and change. Driving through an innovative and inclusive culture that promotes a positive, safe, and open environment, engages colleagues, supports learning, and creates a great place to work. Jackie is also responsible for ensuring a positive and assured approach to health & safety as well as overseeing organisational design and strategic programme management.

Dani joined Onward in 2022 and oversees the financial viability of the organisation and ensures value for money is achieved through its operations.

Prior to joining the organisation, Dani was the Head of Financial Accounting at Riverside and held a number of senior finance positions in both the public and private sector. She was the Finance Director at Liverpool Airport for seven years and the Chair of Audit and Risk at South Liverpool Homes. Dani is qualified as both a Chartered Accountant and a Chartered Financial Analyst.

Emma joined the Executive Team as Interim Executive Director of Operations in May 2025. She is well respected in the housing sector and brings with her over 30 years’ experience, spending the past 15 in senior leadership roles. Emma is responsible for all operational teams including Neighbourhoods, Customer Services; Customer Accounts; Lettings; Social Investment; Onward Environmental, Home Ownership, Specialist Living; Customer Experience; Customer Resolution and Customer Engagement.

Emma is hugely passionate about providing brilliant services to customers, ensuring their voices are heard loud and clearly. She has high energy and thrives when coaching leaders of the future. Emma is the Senior Colleague responsible for compliance with the Consumer Standards.

Andy joined Onward in 2022, bringing over 30 years’ experience in the property sector. With a strong background in repairs, maintenance, and asset management across both commercial and housing environments, Andy has held senior leadership roles managing large, multi-disciplinary teams across the full property function.

He is responsible for all aspects of our property services, including Repairs, Maintenance, Compliance, Asset Management, Building Safety, and Investment. Andy also serves as our organisational lead for Health & Safety and is the key contact for NROSH (National Register of Social Housing).

Andy champions an inclusive culture where colleagues feel supported and empowered to be their best. He believes that when teams thrive, they deliver great services and create homes customers can be proud of. Andy plays a key role in making The Onward Difference.

Stephen joined Onward in 2017, bringing over two decades of senior leadership experience in development and regeneration. Stephen oversees our transformative development programme, which aims to deliver 6,500 new homes over the next decade, Onward Living sales, and our market rent portfolio.

Prior to joining the organisation, Stephen was the Group Director of Homes and Development at First Ark Group and before this was Operational Director (Investment) at Knowsley Housing Trust. He holds an MSc in Urban Renewal from Liverpool John Moores University and is deeply committed to place-based regeneration that fosters long-term prosperity for local communities.