Our staff

Professor Michael A H Williams LLM, BA(Hons), PGCE, PGDipFE, FCMI, FIOD, ACIH.
Chief Executive

Michael is a visiting Professor of Social Housing and Care in the Faculty of Health, Sport and Science at the University of Glamorgan. He is an Independent Member of the Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University Health Board (ABMU HB) and a member of a number of its Committees: He chairs its Capital Assets Committee, is Vice Chair of its Audit Committee, and its Design and Environment Champion. He is one of the Hospital Managers in ABMU HB for mental health detained patients, Vice Chair of the Welsh Special Services Committee’s Patient Safety and Quality Committee of the Welsh Health Special Services and he is a member of the Mental Health Transitional Board for Wales.

Michael is Deputy Chair of Housing Securities Ltd and Housing Securities 40 Ltd. These raise money for housing associations through Bond issues and Bank Loans.

As a Trustee of the Welsh Council for Voluntary Action [WCVA] Michael chairs WCVA’s Audit Committee. He is Honorary Vice President of Alzheimer’s Society Swansea Branch and the Forget Me Not Dementia Day Club.

 
Richard Davies BSc Econ (Jt Hons) MSc PGDip
Executive Director, Social Care and Supporting People

Richard joined us in March 2008 from Scottish Borders Council where he had worked for the last 10 years, latterly as Head of Housing and Social Work Strategy. Richard has a wide range of knowledge and experience in social care, housing and health. He previously worked in the NHS in London and Bristol and has experience of managing services for adults and older people. Richard is a local boy, born and brought up in Swansea.  He is committed to ensuring values are at the heart of our Care and Support services.

Our Social Care and Supporting People directorate specialises directly in the provision of person centred care and support services for people of all ages throughout Wales.

Stuart Davies BSC (Hons) MCIEH
Executive Director, Property Development and Management

Stuart joined Gwalia in 2007, having previously spent 17 years in local government where he specialised in housing regulation. 

Stuart's directorate has responsibility for our property management and maintenance services as well as the development of all our new accommodation including affordable housing, social housing, student accommodation, supported housing, housing for older people and commercial premises. The directorate promotes our long term interest in sustainable, attractive and vibrant places for people to live, work, learn and play. Stuart formulates development strategies and his directorate ensures effective performance monitoring systems are operated for compliance with statute, regulation, corporate objectives and best practice.

When not tied up on Gwalia matters he is often seen in his other guise as a pundit on BBC Wales’ Scrum V rugby programme.

Tracey Healey MBA
Executive Director, Business Management

Born and educated in Swansea Tracey has over 30 years experience in business management, marketing and governance. She holds a Masters Degree in Business Administration and began her career in the public sector before moving into the private sector.  She spent a 12 month period promoting Wales and its culture all over the world before returning to Swansea in 1987 when she took up a Company Secretary post prior to joining Gwalia in 1990.

Tracey is the Executive Director of the Business Management directorate and has responsibility for the strategic planning and performance for the entire organisation. She is also responsible for the strategic management of our workforce and communications team.

Hugh Jones BA (Hons) Econ. MIMIS AMCT FCCA
Executive Director, Finance and Information Technology

Hugh has worked for us since 1987, initially as Financial Controller and more recently as Group Director of Finance. He has previous experience as an audit manager and is one of the authors for the CIPFA/NHF's Manual of Housing Finance. He is also a member of the Social Housing Pension Scheme Committee, which has a membership of over 45,000 from more than 700 employers.

Hugh manages all areas of financial control, including our financial performance, treasury management and business planning, together with the management of computer and telephonic equipment and the development and updating of computer software.

Karen Oliver LLB (Hons)
Executive Director, Governance and Legal Services

Karen is a solicitor and joined us in June 1996 having worked previously in both private practice and a local authority setting. She is a school Governor and a Council member of the Multiple Sclerosis Society Cymru. She is a Welsh Language learner.

Karen has responsibility for all matters relating to governance, audit, commissioning compliance, complaints, data and personal protection, criminal record checks, health and safety as well the provision of legal services. She provides advice and guidance through Board and Senior Management level to Junior Officer level.

 
Lesley Penn
Executive Director, Housing and Community Welfare

Lesley joined us in September 1987 and was appointed to her present post in March 2002. Lesley is a highly experienced housing management practitioner. She is active in supporting the development of strategies to tackle poverty and disadvantage, in order to achieve sustainable and viable communities. Lesley is also a trustee for Cyrenians Cymru.

Lesley is responsible for the management of our social housing including leasehold for the elderly, shared ownership, market rented property and sheltered accommodation. She also looks after the management and letting of our student accommodation as well as the development of community and tenant related schemes with the aim of improving the social, employment and economic welfare of tenants especially the long term unemployed. To achieve this, her directorate works with government and voluntary agencies to develop such services.