Philip Crozier -Chair

Philip is a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants and was President of the South Wales branch from 1993 to 1995.  Philip held a number of senior financial positions in both the public and private sectors until his retirement in 2005, with his most recent position being Assistant Director of Finance at the National Assembly for Wales; where he was responsible for undertaking financial appraisals on companies and their proposals for setting up or expanding their operations in Wales.  Philip lives in Abertillery and has served as a Governor of Abertillery Comprehensive School.  He enjoys most sports, travelling and current affairs.

Fred Davies - Vice Chair

Fred Davies is an experienced private sector Company Director and former Local Authority Director.  Although majoring in Local Authority and Registered Social Landlord housing, he has managed a wide range of customer services in England and Wales and is committed to the provision of quality, value for money services.  He has been a non-executive director of a major national housing association and a founder member of more local associations.  He has also been a regulator appointee to the boards of associations requiring reinforcement.

Andrew Bateson

Andrew has been involved in a wide variety of projects including new housing projects, commercial property development and restoration of buildings of historical interest.  In his current role as director of Technical Services for Cadwyn Housing Association, Andrew has responsibility for both new development and asset management. Andrew lives in the Vale of Glamorgan and is married with two grown up children. Andrew is a chartered surveyor and has been involved in the construction industry for over 30 years. During this time he has worked for national contractors, consultant practices and for Tai Cymru. Andrew is keen to use his knowledge and experience to contribute to the work of Tai Calon in implementing its vision for residents.

Shirley Ford
Shirley was elected as Councillor for the Nantyglo Ward in 2008.  Since Shirley's appointment, she has taken on a number of roles which includes membership of four Scrutiny Committees and becoming a board member on the Communities First board.  She is also the Council representative on the Community Health Council. Shirley's current role on the Tai Calon Board will aid her in delivering a greater service to her constituents in Nantyglo. She is a keen quiz enthusiast and also tries to find time to attend the gym three times a week.

Julia Gregg

Julia is a married mother living in Blaenau Gwent who is passionate about the quality of housing and the environment in the borough.  Julia sits on the Nantyglo Communities First Partnership and as such is involved in various projects aimed at regenerating the area.  Julia has also been a member of St Anne's Parochial Church Council for seventeen years and has worked for a family rescue centre and homeless unit.  Within a professional capacity Julia has successfully worked with a diverse range of people from all social and economic backgrounds, and enjoys working as part of a team.

Nigel Perring

Nigel is a Chartered Surveyor and an ex-examiner for the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.  He has a great deal of experience, working in commercial and residential property over the last 25 years, throughout the entire UK.  He has worked for some major London surveying firms, and also surveying and development companies in Bristol.  Over the last decade he has worked for all the major mobile phone companies throughout the UK on their landed estate, and was previously telecoms planning consultant to Scottish and Southern Energy.  He is currently engaged with planning applications and planning Appeal work in South Wales with his own practice.  He has strong family links to the Valleys, and feels that his extensive surveying experience in a number of areas would benefit Tai Calon and its major investment programme of residential renewal.

Steve Porter

Steve has worked in social housing and public buildings with housing associations and local authorities for over 20 years in both contracting and client based roles. Currently with Wales & West Housing Association as their Head of Property Services he is responsible for their 9000 properties across Wales. He is passionate about excellent quality, honest service provision centred on the services residents want to receive and was recently instrumental in the setting up the association's subsidiary building company, Cambria Maintenance Services to help achieve those aims. Steve enjoys living locally with his family in the South Wales valleys and is keen to play an active part in improving valleys communities by helping Tai Calon keep the promises made to residents.

Margaret Retallick

Margaret Retallick has worked for many years within the local community and is an experienced board member, having served on both Tredegar Development Trust and Communities First Partnership Board.  Margaret is committed to community involvement and has been a member of the Blaenau Gwent Tenant Compact Group since its beginning five years ago, serving several years as Chair.  During her career Margaret has gained experience in management and training and has developed skills that enable her to make decisions regarding recruitment, training and finances.  Margaret is a former Vice Chair and was a member of the Shadow Board.  She is Chair of the Equalities and Diversity Panel.

Godfrey Thomas

Godfrey has dedicated the past 49 years to his family's business, a funeral directors based in Beaufort, and has lived in the area his entire life.  The business was established in 1910 and has been at the heart of the community ever since.  Godfrey has also maintained the 47 year family tradition of helping to organise a community carol service.  Godfrey's passion for his community led him to local politics and he was elected as Ward Member for Beaufort and Garnlydan in May 2008.  Immediately after election Godfrey began working to improve his local area, including setting up a residents' association and taking part in regular estate walkabouts.

Elaine Townsend

Elaine has been an active member of Tai Calon's Board since pre-transfer.  As well as the Board, she sits on the QDF, the Tenant Theme Group and the Communications Group.  She's been on the Tenant Compact Group since it was established.  Elaine plays an active role in her local community and is secretary to Gurnos Tenants' and Residents' Association.  Elaine has a broad knowledge of housing issues and has attended numerous conferences, seminars and training sessions.  A manager in the retail sector, Elaine brings a range of skills and expertise to the board including knowledge and experience of personnel issues and customer care.  Elaine wants to continue to contribute to the work being done by the board.

Phillip White

Philip has lived and worked in Blaenau Gwent all of his life.  Phillip was a member of Ebbw Vale Trade Union Council for 24 years and fulfilled the role of assistant secretary for 15 years.  Prior to his retirement Phillip was Sexton at Ebbw Vale Cemetery for 14 years, which involved record keeping and managing a team of workers.  This role required Phillip to be able to motivate people in often difficult times and also to communicate empathetically with people coming to the cemetery for information about deceased relatives.

John Williams

A borough Councillor for the Rassau ward for over 34 years, John has served on most major Council committees, including the Housing and Regeneration Scrutiny Committee. He was the first Independent Councillor to be elected as Mayor in 2009.   John has been a member of Gwent Police Authority for 10 years and also serves on Ebbw Vale and Tredegar Communities First Partnerships, as well as being Chair of Blaenau Gwent Scouts.  He was also a magistrate for 14 years.  John brings a wealth of building knowledge to the board, having worked in the building industry for 45 years until his retirement.

Roy Jones

Based in Tredegar, Roy has lived in Council or Tai Calon property for 60 years. Roy is a retired steelworker and has had a variety of other roles including being a volunteer driver for people with learning disabilities and teaching advanced driving skills to the Police. Roy is a member of the Tai Calon Equality and Diversity Committee and Tenant Theme Group. He also sits on the Council's Social Services Scrutiny Committee and the Access Forum. Roy speaks at Swansea University and the Open University. Roy wants to be on the board to give professionals an insight into how it is to live withdisabilities and make it clear what disabled people need rather than want..

Keith Chaplin - Co-optee

Keith lives in Abertillery and has over 25 years experience working in local government with the past several years working in a housing environment. Through these positions he has gained experience and interest in regeneration, community involvement and capacity building. Keith also has significant experience of successfully bidding for numerous sources of funding including Homes and Communities Agency and coalfield regeneration funds to deliver affordable housing and achieve community projects. Keith hopes his knowledge of housing, and experience of working with a wide variety of housing organisations will benefit the board.