Welcome to WISH Midlands

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’’. 

Neelam is a Partner at Clarke Willmott LLP specialising in housing management litigation. She primarily acts for housing associations and local authorities across England and Wales. Neelam is passionate about assisting social landlords manage their housing stock effectively as they house the most vulnerable in society and perform an invaluable social function in helping those with the most social need. Neelam joined WISH Midlands in 2025 as she wants to work with everyone who deal with the challenges of social housing daily and help support a highly in demand and stretched public service.

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".

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.

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.”

Anna is Head of Projects and Planning at Metropolitan Thames Valley Housing Association. She oversees project management and the Corporate plan for MTVH. Having worked in the Social Housing Sector for 15 years, Anna is passionate about the sector as a career choice. Her career started in the customer service centre taking repairs calls and rent payments and has worked her way through different roles before moving into projects and planning.

Anna is proud to serve as a WISH board member, it is an amazing opportunity to network with and support women across the sector.

In her spare time, she has two rescue dogs, a Labrador and a Pointer cross so can normally found in a muddy wet field trying to find the best stick.

Deborah has worked in the affordable housing sector for over twenty years. She is currently Head of Affordable Housing Growth at Homes England. Her role involves leading a team across the Midlands who provide strategic input, enabling support and grant funding through the delivery of the Government's Social and Affordable Homes Programme.

Deborah is passionate about the importance of quality affordable housing in enhancing life chances. She is a member of the CIH’s Policy and Scrutiny committee. This group provides comments and feedback on a range of housing policy. It enables her to keep a breadth of understanding of housing issues and positively influence change from a viewpoint of both an experienced housing professional and a lived experience lens.

Deborah is a working mother with additional caring responsibilities. As part of the Homes England coaching team she provides coaching and support to other women to help navigate the challenges of balancing work and home life. She is really looking forward to joining WISH Midlands in providing support to woman throughout the affordable housing sector.