Executive Team
Our Executive team operates across the whole of the First Ark group and is responsible for the leadership of the organisation, working closely with our Boards. They make sure that the high level decision making and planning reflects the needs of our customers, stakeholders and funders both now and in the future.
There are five members of our Executive team:
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Bob Taylor, Group Chief Executive Telephone: 0151 290 7066 Email: bob.taylor@firstark.com Bob is both an experienced Chief Executive and Executive Director with substantial experience in delivering business change and improving services. Delivering great homes, services and putting the customer at the heart of what we do are vital to successful communities in Bob’s opinion. Can do approach and great attitudes are what we look for in our employees as is showing we care about what we do. All this will mean First Ark Group can play its vital role in creating success for people, places and communities. |
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Jason Ridley, Executive Director of Business Services Telephone: 0151 290 7008 Email: jason.ridley@firstark.com Jason joined First Ark Group in October 2011 from a career spanning pharmaceuticals, food service and, most recently, e-commerce. Jason has Bachelor and Master’s Degrees in Economics, is a Chartered Accountant and qualified Company Secretary. Jason has worked in in a variety of Finance roles since 1985 and is internationally experienced, having worked in Australia, Asia Pacific, US, UK and continental Europe. Most recently he has been the UK General Manager of the leading e-commerce provider within the hospitality/food service sector. Jason has 10 years’ voluntary experience in Social Housing ,having firstly been a member of the Board of Cheshire & District Housing Trust and latterly on the Board of Contour and now Symphony Housing Group. He is responsible for a diverse range of activities within First Ark Group that include Finance, Human Resources, Information Technology and Information & Communications, including Governance. Jason is also Company Secretary of First Ark, Knowsley Housing Trust and KHT Services. |
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Ian Thomson, Executive Director Asset Management Telephone: 0151 290 7114 Email: ian.thomson@firstark.com
Ian has over 20 years expertise within local government and housing associations, including South Lanarkshire Council, St Helens Council, Helena Partnerships and since 2005 here at KHT and First Ark Group. He has operated at Director level with KHT as Operational Director Regeneration and Homes since February 2010 and as Assistant Director of Regeneration led the team that delivered Decent Homes standard 18 months ahead of original transfer promise and the successfull National Affordable Housing(NAHP) new build programme.
In his current role as Acting Executive Director of Asset Management he is responsible for all Asset Management functions including Client Repairs, Planned and Cyclical Maintenance, Development, Health & Safety, Facilities Management and Corporate Social Responsibility.
Ian's vision is for the Group's Asset Management activities to deliver right first time repairs and maintenance services and provide new modern sustainable affordable homes for the customers and communities we serve. He is lead Director for Green Initiatives and the Group Green agenda which is at the heart of our developing Place Strategy and is key to reducing energy costs of Knowsley resident's and the carbon footprint of the Group.
He strongly believes that we can all deliver Great customer service through a positive attitude and culture based on the value of treating others as we would expect to be treated ourselves. |
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Sheila Tolley, Executive Director of Customers & Communities Telephone: 0151 290 7008 Email: sheila.tolley@firstark.com Sheila has over 25 years’ experience in housing, including senior roles at North British HA (now Places for People) and Home Group - two of the largest HA’s in England - and Head of Inspection at the Housing Corporation, then Audit Commission. She has held leading roles on a number of major Northern regeneration projects including Salford SRB, Hulme City Challenge, the Elevate HMR pathfinder in Lancashire and more recently as Managing Director for the Newcastle Gateshead pathfinder.
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Tony Cahill Executive Director of Commercial ServicesTelephone: 0151 290 7112 Email: tony.cahill@firstark.com Tony has over 30 years of experience in private sector business development and commercial services including senior roles at ADT Fire and Security PLC, Director of Electronic Security & Fire and National Operations Director at Romec Ltd, more recently, Business Unit Director at Morris & Spottiswood Ltd. Tony is a member of the Freeman of the Worshipful Company of Security Professionals – A Guild of the City of London and also has business management training including IOSH Directing Safely and Balfour Beatty Senior Managers Strategic development programme |
The Executive Directors have Operational Directors working with them to take forward their strategy and link to operational delivery so we can provide great services. You can find out more about our Operational Directors team here - Operational directors team