Welcome to WISH Midlands.

Katie is the Head of Business Development & Innovation at Platform Housing Group, responsible for developing their approach to MMC and delivering future-proofed homes. She is a firm believer that collaboration is the key to tackling all challenges, and is committed to bringing together colleagues and customers to create networks that deliver sustainable, affordable and good quality homes for our communities.

Katie has a pepperpotted history, starting her career in tech finance and moving from media to FMCG before finding her calling in social housing. She’s passionate about growing the profile of the sector, and especially the role women in it play. She said; “from the housing crisis to the gender pay gap, women are all too often bearing the burden of inequality. Working in social housing we’re in a unique position to address those social challenges for our customers and our colleagues".

Rose is a Partner at Bevan Brittan specialising in housing corporate governance. She primarily acts for housing associations and other community based organisations across England and Wales. Rose believes that housing is one of the most important issues affecting communities across the country and the housing sector helps the most vulnerable in our society. Rose was one of the co-founders of the WISH Midlands region back in 2016 and has found working with WISH to be enriching both personally and professionally.

Hannah is a Board Member of WISH Midlands and Head of Connect at 3C Consultants. She is a technology consultant, leading the cloud-based services team at 3C to deliver digital optimisation and transformation across the social housing sector. Hannah completed the WISH Future Leaders course in 2022 and jumped at the opportunity to become more involved. She is passionate about creating space for young people in the sector to connect and have access to mentoring. Hannah is also a mentor for the Charityworks graduate scheme, a programme she completed in 2018 whilst at Advance Housing & Support.

Hannah is a firm believer in building supportive communities to help bring about change by facilitating the sharing of knowledge, lessons learnt, and best practice. She is committed to being plugged in with her local community and has been involved with regional homelessness charities as a trustee and corporate ambassador. She is excited to be part of supporting women at WISH midlands to collaborate and network together.

Michelle’s social housing career started in 2000 and realised quickly that she shared its ethos and values.  Michelle completed her ILM7 Executive Coaching qualification on the social housing sector and is an Accredited Executive Coach with the Association for Coaching. As Director of Evolutionary Leadership Movement, she provides coaching, leadership consultancy and vertical development profiling to individuals and teams to support them in challenging their thinking, developing strategies to improve their effectiveness and impact on others to thrive, evolve, grow and transform in this complex sector.

She also sits on the CIH West Midlands regional group, Verified Member of the Oxford Review, an Ambassador for the Property & Construction Partnership and affiliated to the Leadership Management International.

"Being a part of WISH and supporting women who work in and with the sector is immensely important to me. It’s a privilege to be part of such a collaborative network, celebrating diversity, embracing an ethical approach and actively promoting a challenging yet enjoyable sector".

Katy is an associate trainer for Janine Green ASB.  She is passionate about making a difference to victims by improving service delivery to address ASB across the housing and community safety sector. 

In joining the WISH Midlands Regional Board, Katy is looking forward to supporting and encouraging other women working within the housing sector as well as being able to contribute and share her own knowledge and experience with others.   

In her spare time Katy enjoys spending time with her two daughters, partner, family and friends.  Katy has found a love for running in recent years and would encourage anyone to give it a go.

Sarah Onions is Assistant Managing Director – Business Development, Skills and Apprenticeships at Sandwell College Group, the largest provider of study programmes in the West Midlands for learners aged sixteen to nineteen and adult programmes.

Sarah heads up the employee engagement team at the college, whose collective task it is to partner with local organisations and help them with recruiting, upskilling and retaining staff, while addressing sector skill shortages.

“Previously I worked in recruitment, which I loved, but ultimately I wasn’t able to support businesses if the candidates weren’t available. Alongside my board position with Women in Social Housing and the teams I manage at Sandwell College, I am now able to give solutions to the skill shortages we’re all facing – for example, by supporting businesses to take on apprentices, offering the training and development of staff, and facilitating the short-term placements of students for the benefit of learners and businesses alike.

Hannah is passionate about the Social Housing sector and enjoyed 15 years in HR and Learning and Development roles within Social Housing. She has always felt the sector is a hidden gem and has worked to promote the sector as an amazing career choice. Now, as a Learning and Development consultant, Hannah works with Social Landlords and is proud to be a WISH Board member. 

Hannah is an advocate of developing people in businesses, specialising in team and leadership development and coaching. Helping people to grow and develop is her purpose and being a part of the WISH Midlands Board fits perfectly with this. 

Jade is an Officer for Wolverhampton Homes and has been for over a decade.  She has always believed housing is one of the most important issues affecting our communities.  As Jade works with women and supports women in her daily life, she has an opportunity to make a change and strives to do so.  Jade looks forward to learning and sharing the knowledge she has with everyone

In her spare time Jade is raising her children and spending time with family and friends as well as furthering her education which she believe is a key to success

Jade says “It's a phenomenal opportunity to be able to network with these amazing women and I can't wait to see the changes we can all make together.”

Chloe moved into the Housing sector around 5 years ago as a Marketing Manager for Aspire Housing and following a secondment is now their Sustainability Manager.

Her previous experience is in marketing and e-commerce working for luxury ceramic and glassware brands Royal Doulton, Wedgwood and Waterford and luxury food manufacturers Cottage Delight  a career spanning 20 years! This history brings to WISH lots of expertise in a variety of fields. 

Chloe says 'Moving into the housing sector has been the best career move, it fits with my values and it offers so much development. I have been fortunate enough to gain an MBA with the support of my organisation which sparked my interest in Sustainability and allowed me to gain the skills required to move roles. I love the sector as everyone is there to help each other and is always so friendly. I have attended many WISH Midlands events and I'm excited to be joining the board, the group offers so much for its members and I look forward to being involved more'

As Sustainability Manager Chloe is responsible for monitoring Aspire Housing's carbon emissions and working with different teams to accomplish their targets and achieve net zero by 2050. She has also been part of the PlaceShaper and Tpas work on Residents' voices in the UK's Net Carbon Zero Journey.

She is an active member of the Staffordshire Climate Commission, PlaceShapers Sustainability Forum, and is an EDI forum member.

In her spare time, Chloe loves to spend it with family and friends either on walks or in her caravan in Wales. She also has two Border Terriers that can be heard barking on occasion on Team calls!

Eleni is leading all marketing output at BM3, a multi-disciplinary company with over 30 years’ experience in all types of housing and extensive knowledge of designing affordable housing. Working closely with the Architects teams, she is responsible for the strategy, social media, website, brochures, implementing events, managing bid and award submissions, ultimately supporting the company’s continued growth. She is also a member of BM3’s fundraising group and a Mental Health First Aider.  

Eleni has a particular interest in issues relating to equality and wellbeing within the workplace, a strong believer in teamwork while encouraging collaboration and more diversity in the construction sector. She would like to make a positive difference to professional women in her area and beyond. ‘‘I am very excited to be joining WISH Midlands, a supporting and inspiring network for women in social housing. I look forward to expanding my current network and promoting the brilliant work WISH does’’.