The Board must act in the best interests of the organisation, and set out our values and purpose in a strategic Business Plan.
Solihull Community Housing (SCH) is an Arm’s Length Management Organisation (ALMO) created by Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council to manage their housing stock.
Meet our current Board members
Simon Wilson
Board Chair
Simon Wilson joined SCH as Board chair in June 2025. He has extensive experience within the housing sector. He is currently chair of Brighter Futures housing association in Stoke-on-Trent. He previously held the role of chair at New Outlook, a small housing association in Halesowen, specialising in supporting people with sight loss and complex needs. Simon also has a very strong understanding of homelessness having served as Chair with Homeless Link, an umbrella body for rough sleeper organisations.
Mark Thrasher
Chair, Audit & Risk Committee
Having spent 25 years in housing, Mark retired in April 2023 from his position as the Executive Director of Finance at Aspire Housing in North Staffordshire. A qualified Chartered Accountant, Mark is also the Chair at Tower Hamlets Community Housing in East London.
Phil Hardy
Chair, Housing Operations Committee
Councillor Bernie Donnelly
SMBC Council Board Member
Cllr Donnelly has previously been a member of the SCHape Panel.
Councillor Gail Sleigh
SMBC Council Board Member
Cllr Sleigh represents Bickenhill ward. She is the chair of the council’s Health and Adult Social Care Scrutiny Board.
Councillor Dave Pinwell
SMBC Council Board Member
Cllr Pinwell represents Knowle Ward and joined the Board in May 2021. He took early retirement from a career in the telecoms industry and subsequently had frequent dealings with SCH colleagues on behalf of the local charity, Colebridge Trust, before becoming a councillor.
Susan Buckley
Tenant Board Member
Susan joined the Board in June 2024. She currently works as a part time warden. Susan has been a SCH tenant since 2019 and currently lives in the Shirley area of the suburb.
Paul Robinson
Co-opted Board Member
Paul is a highly experienced Governance, Regulation and Compliance Manager, with over 20 years in strategic management. He works at a senior level in social housing as a senior manager and as a non-executive Board member. Paul is also Governance Manager with a large Staffordshire and Shropshire-based housing association.
Mani Roberts
Co-opted Board Member
Mani has been part of the Audit Committee for a Housing Association in Bristol. She holds a risk qualification with the Institute of Risk Management.