Our Board

The Citizen Board oversees the strategy and direction of the organisation and makes sure that our Executive Leadership Team is working effectively.

Our Board’s responsibilities include:

  • Setting our overall strategy.
  • Making sure our Executive Leadership Team is working effectively and has access to the resources it needs.
  • Monitoring our performance, service delivery and financial viability.
  • Making sure risks are identified and dealt with.

Underneath our Board sit a number of committees with a more specific focus. To find out more visit our committees page.

Our Board makes sure that we are leading our organisation effectively and monitors our performance.

Our Board Members:

Colin Dennis

Colin Dennis – Chair

Colin has had a distinguished career in the financial and aviation sectors and has a wealth of experience in non-executive roles in regulated sectors including the NHS, social housing and adult care and social services.

Kevin Rodgers

Kevin Rodgers

Kevin was appointed Chief Executive in May 2015 and was appointed as a Board Member in July 2016. Prior to that he was Deputy Chief Executive and Finance Director. Kevin joined the organisation in 2002.

Susan Brooksbank Taylor (003)

Susan Brooksbank-Taylor

Sue has worked in social housing for over 30 years and has significant senior level experience including as a CEO. Sue also worked in the charity sector for a number of years, is a Chair for a national homelessness charity and is a School Governor.

Monica Shafaq Web

Monica Shafaq

Monica has been the Chief Executive of the national health and wellbeing charity, The Kaleidoscope Plus Group since 2010. Monica holds a MSc in Housing and spent several years working in the social housing sector. Monica currently sits on the boards of Birmingham County Football Association, Citizen Housing, West Bromwich Albion Women’s Team and Kidderminster Harriers where she has lead responsibility for equality and mental health. She is a member of the Premier League’s Equality and Diversity Panel and in February 2021 was appointed as one of the first women, and first woman of colour, to the Professional Footballers Association Charity.

Claire

Claire Williams

Claire is a non-executive director of the Utility Regulator for Northern Ireland and of the Single Source Regulations Office.  She has held senior positions in the electricity, renewable energy and rail sector for over 20 years. Claire has worked on major construction, civil engineering and infrastructure projects as well as in the private, public and not-for profit sectors. She has in-depth governance, regulatory and outsourcing experience and has been General Counsel for various companies. Claire has a Masters in Law from Cambridge University.

Citizen Joan 8

Joan Allen

Joan is a Citizen customer and has been a tenant of social housing for over 40 years with various landlords and has managed various supported living services for vulnerable individuals. She has also been a tutor at Coventry Adult Education Services. Joan has been a member of the Customer Assurance Committee since January 2021.

David Blower Photo

David Blower

David has 30 years’ experience in Social Housing. A qualified accountant and, until his recent retirement, he has been strategic executive lead in the housing sector for Finance, Treasury, Risk, Technology, People & Culture, Governance and EDI. He is currently a non-executive of IOSH (Health & Safety body).

Angela Carpenter Photograph

Angela Carpenter

Angela is Executive Director of Governance and Compliance at The Extracare Charitable Trust and is also a qualified accountant. She has the strategic lead for governance, compliance, procurement and project management office.

Stephen Russell Photograph

Stephen Russell

Stephen is Director of Data, Strategy and Technology at Warwickshire Police and will bring a strong data and IT skillset to the Board. He also has 10 years sector experience with Midland Heart.

About Us