Board Members
Meet our Board Members
John Donnellon
Board ChairSkills: Housing, Regeneration, Executive management
John was most recently Chief Executive of Blackpool Coastal Housing (BCH), responsible for 5000 properties and a wide range of support services. Prior to joining BCH, John was the Council’s lead director for the built environment and regeneration, and has over 20 years of senior regeneration experience. Outside of work, he enjoys playing a very slow version of football, running and walking. John also volunteers with a local environmental charity, sits as a Trustee on a youth homelessness charity and on the board of the local credit union.
John is committed to the principle that good quality, affordable and secure housing is a vital building block to allow individuals and families to thrive.
Sandra Simmons MBE
Honorary SecretarySkills: HR, Management, Finance, Community Support.
For the past twenty years, Sandra has worked as Chair of Governors at two local schools, leading and supporting the Governing Body, Headteachers and staff. In 2007, she was awarded an MBE for Services to Education. She has also worked with local charities to empower people and to help anyone struggling against unequal odds.
In earlier years, she worked within Adult Basic Education with Hamilton Square Adult Literacy Centre, which gave her insight into the life struggles that many people experience and worked to enable people to engage with modern life and gain the skills they needed to thrive.
She likes to spend my spare time with my family, as well as gardening, walking, and enjoying the local area.
Craig Sparrow BA Hons
Deputy ChairSkills: Property development, Housing and Executive Leadership
Craig currently works as the Executive Director of Development for a North Wales-based housing association, ClwydAlyn, and has spent the last 30 years securing land and delivering affordable homes across the region. He is the Chair of the Strategic Delivery Group for Future Homes in Wales and has worked closely with the Government to help deliver the housing programme. Craig has been responsible for a large number of general housing projects but also specialist schemes for older people, supported accommodation, autism, dementia and more recently, low carbon development.
Craig lives in North Wales and has two daughters, enjoys power boating, amateur archaeology and travelling.
John Morgan
Chair Governance and Internal Control CommitteeSkills: Finance, Corporate Strategy
John joined the Board of Wirral Methodist Housing Association in June 2022. After 20 years of working in senior finance roles, John is growing his own accounting business serving small to medium sized business across the UK. John is an Associate member of CIMA (Chartered Institute of Management Accountants) and a Certified Member in Practice.
Coupled with his strength in finance is John’s passion for developing high-performing teams. By helping to develop the corporate strategy at Wirral Methodist HA, John is keen to make a positive difference to the wider communities that WMHA impacts.
Away from work, John really enjoys an active role in Caldy Rugby Club, getting time to play golf and enjoy precious moments with his young family
Skills: Housing Development, Sustaining Growth
Kerry has over 25 years of residential property experience with a social purpose. As Director and Founder of K&Co Homes, she provides professional consultancy services to the housing industry, assisting contractors and developers to drive forward their ambitious housing growth plans. Over recent years, she has become an experienced member of senior leadership teams, ensuring that the strategic vision, values and culture are embedded into all organisations.
Kerry is a busy working Mum with two boys, so she spends a lot of weekends on the side of a football or rugby pitch. She enjoys keeping fit and getting out running when she can.
Originally from the Wirral, growing up in Bebington, she is delighted to be back working on the Wirral.
Kerry Scott
Skills: Finance, Executive Leadership and Development
Steve has recently completed his term of office as Chair of ClywdAlyn Housing Association and was previously Chief Executive Officer at Great Places Housing Group. Steve brings vast sector experience, including 30 years at the Chief Executive or Chair level.
Stephen Porter
Skills: Finance and Governance
John is a Chartered Accountant (ICAEW) and experienced Executive and Non-Executive Director. In addition to his role at WMHA, he is also Vice-Chair at Derby Diocesan Academy Trust and Chair of its Audit & Risk Committee, a Non-Executive Director and Chair of the Audit & Risk Committee at the East Midlands Ambulance Service Trust and a Director at Ashbourne Golf Club.
John previously worked extensively in the Financial Services sector, including a number of years as Operations Director at Leek Building Society.”
John Kelly
Skills: Housing, Tenancy Sustainment, Community Development
As Head of Community and Neighbourhood Development at Wythenshawe Community Housing Group in Manchester, I bring a proven track record in safeguarding, domestic abuse, tenancy sustainment, and community development. My expertise spans complex stakeholder and community relationships, underpinned by a thorough grasp of corporate and charity governance.
I am an avid traveller and in 2023 took a sabbatical to travel around Asia, and my ambition is to visit all the continents of the world.
Victoria McDowell
Skills: Housing, Community Development, Neighbourhood Management
Sarah Jane began her Housing career in 1995 with Wirral Borough Council. Since then, she has worked across Merseyside, North Wales and Ireland, latterly having served as a Housing Director for two large Merseyside Housing Associations.
An experiences Non Executive director, Sarah Jane has recently retired after serving 9 years on the Torus Group Board, where she was also the Chair of their charity, The Torus Foundation.
Sarah Jane enjoys seeing live music of all varieties and always has a holiday to look forward to!
Sarah Jane Saunders
Skills: Asset Management, Landlord Compliance and Building Safety
Lisa currently works as a Housing Consultant for Savills, working nationally across the social housing sector, specialising in Asset Management, Landlord Compliance and Building Safety. She thrives on opportunities to influence change and drive forward excellent standards.
Prior to this current role, Lisa spent 11 years in various senior positions working for one of the UK’s largest housing associations, The Riverside Group. She also has experience in community regeneration and project management.
Lisa lives on the Wirral. She is a mum to an active little boy and enjoys spending time with family and getting out in nature. In her spare time, she enjoys playing the piano and learning about natural health.