Governance 

Our Group Board has overall responsibility for our work and meets regularly to decide on strategic and policy issues. It also makes sure that we're delivering our business plan.

Our Resident Engagement Panel bridges the gap between the work that residents and partners do on the ground, and the decisions made at Group Board level. With delegated powers and responsibilities for customer standards, policies and procedures, the Resident Engagement Panel keeps customer's needs at the heart of our business. The Chair and Vice-Chair of the Resident Engagement Panel represent our customers on the Group Board. 

Our Chief Executive, with a team of directors and other employees, runs the company on a day-to-day basis. Our Chief Executive reports to the Board and has overall responsibility for all employees and the way we deliver our services.  

Group Board members

Claire Higgins

 

Claire Higgins, Chief Executive

Claire has worked in social housing since 1985. Before joining Cross Keys Homes in September 2004, Claire spent seven years as Executive Regional Director for Housing 21, a national housing and care provider for older people. Claire took over as Chief Executive of Cross Keys Homes in November 2014. Claire is the Chair of Homes for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough , supporting devolution in the Cambridge and Peterborough combined authority area. Locally, Claire is involved with a number of partner organisations and is also Chair of Keys Academies Trust . In 2021, Claire was awarded an MBE for services to housing in recognition of a career dedicated to bringing affordable homes and support to the communities who need them. Claire is a the Executive Member of Group Board and Homes and Investment Committee.

Shelagh Grant, Chair

Shelagh Grant, Chair

Shelagh recently retired after nearly 20 years as Chief Executive of The Housing Forum. She joined Cross Keys Homes in 2023 as Chair of the Board. She brings extensive experience and knowledge of the housing sector, with a strong understanding of the value of social housing and the challenges facing housing associations across the UK. Earlier in her career, Shelagh worked in the housing departments of Newcastle upon Tyne and Gateshead Councils, providing her with a strong foundation in local authority housing. She was also a Director at Peterborough City Council, giving her valuable knowledge of the local area and the communities served by Cross Keys Homes. A Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Housing, Shelagh is committed to promoting high standards across the sector.

Shelagh is also a member of People, Remuneration and Nominations Committee and Homes and Investment Committee.

Head shot of Terri smiling wearing a cream cardigan

Terri Lawe, Chair of Resident Experience Panel

Terri is Chair of the Resident Experience Panel and joined the Cross Keys Homes Group Board in July 2021. As a CKH resident, Terri brings valuable lived experience and a strong resident perspective to her roles, helping to ensure that residents' views and experiences are reflected in decision-making. Terri also represents residents on the Health and Safety Steering Group and serves as a co-opted member of the People, Remuneration and Nominations Committee.

Head shot of Jill Coddington smiling to camera

Jill Coddington, Vice Chair of Resident Experience Panel

Jill is Vice Chair of the Resident Experience Panel and joined the Cross Keys Homes Group Board in March 2025. A long-standing CKH resident, Jill has been actively involved in tenant groups and resident representation since CKH was established. With a professional background in law, specialising primarily in housing, Jill brings valuable experience and insight to her roles. Jill was awarded an MBE for services to social housing residents and the community in Peterborough. She is also member of the Audit and Assurance Committee and the Homes and Investment Committee.

Head shot of Ray smiling wearing a white shirt and red tie

Ray Harding

Ray joined Cross Keys Homes in January 2024 and is a qualified Chartered Accountant with extensive senior-level experience across a range of public and private sector organisations in the UK and internationally. He currently serves as a Non-Executive Director of North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust, bringing a wealth of financial, governance and strategic experience to Cross Keys Homes. Ray is also a member of People, Remuneration and Nominations Committee and Audit and Assurance Committee.

A head shot of Steven smiling wearing a check shirt and a grey jacket

Steve Stanbury

Steve joined Cross Keys Homes in February 2023 as Chair of Audit and Assurance Committee and member of Homes and Investment Committee. He brings more than 27 years' experience in internal audit, risk management and corporate governance across the housing, higher education and public sectors. He is Director of Internal Audit at City St George's, University of London, where he leads the Internal Audit function, providing independent assurance on risk, control and governance. Previously, Steve was a Senior Internal Audit Manager at Deloitte. Steve is also a Board member and Audit, Risk and Assurance Committee member of the Human Tissue Authority and has held a number of independent audit committee roles across the audit, education and housing sectors. He holds CIA, CFE and CISA qualifications.

Head shot of Martin smiling wearing a black shirt and jacket

Martin Valentine

Martin joined Cross Keys Homes in April 2022 and brings more than 25 years' experience across communications, marketing and business leadership, with a career spanning local authorities, housing and other public sector organisations. Until recently, Martin was Managing Director of Positive Homes, a company specialising in building energy-efficient homes. His experience includes branding, marketing, public relations, customer service, market research, stakeholder engagement and communications. Martin is also a member of Audit and Assurance Committee and Homes and Investment Committee.

Head shot of Ian smiling wearing a dark suit and tie

Ian Dale

Ian joined Cross Keys Homes in January 2024 and is a member of Audit and Assurance Committee and People, Remuneration and Nominations Committee. He is a qualified Chartered Accountant with an extensive career in the financial services sector. He currently serves as a Trustee Director of the Britannia Building Society Pension Scheme and has previously served as an Independent Director on the Board of Aspire Housing. Ian brings extensive financial, governance and board-level experience to Cross Keys Homes.

Jo Procter

Jo Procter 

Jo joined Cross Keys Homes in May 2024 and brings over 25 years' experience in senior safeguarding leadership across the country. She is currently a self-employed safeguarding and executive leadership consultant, working with safeguarding partnerships nationally to strengthen practice and outcomes. She is also the Chief Executive of a national children's charity.  Jo's extensive professional  experience spans safeguarding, complaints, risk management, scrutiny and workforce development, providing valuable expertise in governance, risk and the protection of vulnerable people. Jo is also the Board Member Responsible for Complaints. 

Mark Imray

Mark Imray 

Mark joined Cross Keys Homes in September 2025 and is Chair of the Homes and Investment Committee. He brings more than 40 years' experience in the construction sector, including senior roles with a number of national housebuilders. Mark also has extensive experience of regeneration and social housing through his roles as a Non-Executive Director of Blueprint Ltd and an Independent Committee Member for Lincolnshire Housing Partnership.