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We create places people are proud to call home
Our Finance and Treasury Committee members are listed below – please click on their image to view their profile.
Simon Whitfield
Chair Simon Whitfield
Simon is a highly experienced banker with more than 30 years in the financial services industry across organisations including NatWest Bank, Castle Trust, Morgan Stanley and BayernLB. He has also worked in residential development finance for more than 10 years, providing him with a valuable insight into the issues affecting construction on new housing developments.
Simon believes that success comes from the people an organisation employs and if those people are properly empowered, given the skills and resources they need, then organisations can flourish and customers will receive better services.
Simon has also chaired various credit and risk committees, advised HM Treasury and successfully restructured the divisions of banks.
Alan Hawkesworth
Board Member Alan Hawkesworth
Alan is a qualified accountant and has spent most of his working life in Shropshire and the West Midlands, working for local authorities, national and regional building societies and in higher education at Aston University. He has operational and strategic experience in accounting, finance, development, people, investment, insurance and audit services and how these apply in a variety of industries and regulated bodies.
Alan has previously lived in social housing and has close family members who are current tenants of various housing associations. He knows the importance of having a quality home and a considerate landlord and is therefore passionate about improving the provision of housing for people living in Shropshire, Staffordshire and Telford and Wrekin.
Due to the extensive nature of his career, Alan brings a wealth of experience to the Group Common Board having served on the boards of housing associations almost continuously over the last 25 years.
Dinesh Murugesh-Warren
Independent Member Dinesh Murugesh-Warren
Dinesh is a chartered accountant with more than 10 years of investment appraisal, treasury and structuring experience within Real Estate and Housing space. He is responsible for developing financial plans and managing treasury functions for one of the largest institutional landlords.
During a time when private renting remains out of reach and the cost-of-living emergency continues, Dinesh is passionate about access to affordable housing. He believes providing affordable, high-quality housing and creating opportunities for residents to engage and flourish is essential.
Dinesh has a BSc in Economics, an ACA qualification from the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) and has a certificate in Treasury (AMCT). He brings his experience in the private sector to his role on the Housing Plus Group Finance Limited Board.
Suzanne Forster
Executive Lead Suzanne Forster
Suzanne Forster joined the Group as Chief Financial Officer following her tenure at Excolo Housing Consultancy. She brings extensive executive experience from senior roles across both large housing associations and private sector organisations. Suzanne leads the Group’s strategic and operational functions in Finance, Treasury, Audit, Risk & Assurance, Legal & Governance, and Procurement. Her appointment reflects the Group’s commitment to strong financial stewardship and robust governance as it continues to grow and invest in its future.
