Welcome to WISH North West.

Nicola Brown has over twenty five years commercial experience in providing IT solutions to the Social Housing Sector. 
Nicola is Head of Account Management for Voicescape. Using a unique combination of automation technology, behavioural insights and data science, Voicescape creates bespoke communication solutions that drive substantial operational efficiencies and service level improvements to improve customer engagement for public sector organisations. Voicescape allows housing associations and local authorities to connect with their communities – at scale – across the major customer touchpoints. These include collections and arrears, gathering instant feedback to drive meaningful action and improve satisfaction, scheduling and managing building safety appointments and daily welfare checks for sheltered housing residents. 

Voicescape offers an evidence-based approach to digital transformation, allowing valuable resources to be redeployed to areas where a ‘human touch’ is required to support those with the greatest need and creating meaningful interactions that residents truly value.

A key leader in business development in her field, Nicola feels passionately it is strong customer relationships and partnership working that is at the forefront of successful implementations. 
Nicola believes that WISH is a forum for personal growth and for women to help other women succeed in the sector. 
Nicola has complemented her IT career with diverse roles in the voluntary and charity sectors including roles with HMP Leeds, IMB, and NCT Cheshire.

Having worked in policing for 9 years I made the transition to Social Housing in 2018. I’ve worked to deliver transformational change in public sector and social housing in all of my roles. I am currently working as Group Head of Programme at Torus. 

I’m passionate about development and support for women in the workplace - for access to opportunities, mentoring and breaking down the barriers we may face. I am really looking forward to being part of the WISH NW board and the wider community and being part of a positive network for women in housing. 

Outside of work, I’m a mum of 2 and avid festival goer.

Emma strives to challenge herself, make a difference in the sector and smash through the barriers of being a woman in construction. Having started as a trainee bid writer, she now works as Business Development Manager for Casey.

As Chair, Emma wants to share best practise within the industry and help others to develop their career through interactive, thought provoking workshops. Collaboration is hugely important to Emma and she wants to bring together all those who work within housing to develop new ideas and innovation.

Having graduated from Leeds Metropolitan with a Marketing degree, she wants to encourage the next generation to consider housing and construction as a choice, not an accident. Emma is an Enterprise Advisor for a local school in Rochdale and works to connect employers to students.

Emma is also a committee member of G4C North West, who are on a mission to improve performance, drive best practise and encourage, promote and engage with the next generation.

Emma is also a committee member of G4C North West, who are on a mission to improve performance, drive best practise and encourage, promote and engage with the next future generation.

Gemma has worked in housing development and regeneration for 15 years, taking up roles in Registered Providers, Private consultancy and a Local Authority. She is currently Head of Development and Regeneration at RBH in Rochdale, leading a team delivering an ambitious programme of new home delivery and a large scale regeneration project in Rochdale Town Centre.

Qualifications include a BA (Hons) in Economic and Social Studies and a MA in Real Estate Development. She was nominated for Young Achiever in Housing Development at the Women in Housing Awards in 2015.

Gemma attended WISH events for a number of years prior to becoming a Board member and is committed to supporting and encouraging women in the sector to achieve their potential and personal ambition and to overcome barriers to do this. She is looking forward to helping to shape the direction of WISH NW and in developing an exciting programme of events for members.

Outside of work, Gemma has a baby daughter who keeps her very busy! She enjoys walks with her family and baking sweet treats!

Maya is an ACA qualified accountant and works as an external audit manager at Beever and Struthers; she works with a wide range of housing associations to support their finance functions and deliver a high quality external audit.

Maya has worked in audit for over 6 years, training at a Big 4 Firm before making the move to Beever and Struthers to work with not-for-profit clients, such as social housing clients that are more aligned to her personal values of making a positive and authentic impact.

Since beginning her career within finance at 18, she has been proud when looking up to women in leadership positions and seeing trailblazing women in a typically male dominated sector. As Maya moves forward in her career, she is striving to encourage more diversity both within Finance and the Housing Sector by bringing her ideas for events to WISH NW and promoting the brilliant work the organisation does.

Maya’s perfect weekend is going on a long walk with her dachshund then curling up on the sofa with a book!

Claire Bailey-Jones, Head of Business Development at Novus Property Solutions is a senior leader with nearly 20-years’ experience of working in the Social Housing Sector.

A qualified building surveyor with a specific interest in Zero Carbon, Claire has taken a pivotal role in providing technical solutions for clients’ as well as leading on the Novus ‘Sustain’ centre of excellence to bring to the market a tangible solution to help RSLs retrofit their housing stock.

Claire is passionate about everyone being able to bring their ‘whole self to work’ regardless of age, race, sexual orientation or gender. As well as the WISH board, Claire is an active member of the WiN (Women in Novus) Network that empowers women and under-represented groups help shape the way forward for the business and the industry as a whole; to make the workplace more inclusive. As one of only three female representatives on her degree cohort she understands first-hand the importance of unlocking opportunities for women in the sector. Through WISH she wants to encourage, mentor and support other women into leadership roles.

Volunteering her time to support the ‘Bereavement Café’ a charity set up via Widowed and Young, to help those who have unexpectedly faced tragedy; Claire has provided CV creation, interview techniques, advice and support. She has been trained in ‘grief and loss language’ to enable her to volunteer at pop-up cafes and assist others who are grieving.

Outside of work Claire is married, has two daughters and is an avid equestrian. She spends most of her spare time with their horses and travelling to support her eldest daughter in her Show Jumping training and competitions.

Louise is an ACA qualified accountant and a qualified chartered tax adviser, and works as a tax director at Grant Thornton; she works with a wide range of housing associations regularly delivering tax advice on their tax compliance obligations, development activities and group re-organisations.

Louise has worked in tax for over 16 years. She graduated from Lancaster University with a first-class Business Studies degree, went on to train at a Big 4 Firm before making the move to Grant Thornton to work with not-for-profit clients, such as social housing clients that are more aligned to her personal values.

Louise attended WISH events for several years prior to becoming a Board member and believes that WISH is a forum for personal growth and for women to help other women succeed in the sector. She wants to help women in the sector to develop new ideas and share best practice through thought provoking workshops and networking opportunities.  

Outside of work, Louise enjoys travelling, trips to the theatre and walks with her family, curling up on the sofa with a good book and when time allows going to the odd Bolton Wanderers match.

Amy is an Associate Solicitor at MSB Solicitors and has over 16 years experience dealing specifically with social housing litigation acting for both Registered Social Landlords and Tenants. Amy has a passion for all aspects housing litigation.

Amy completed the Bar Vocational Course in 2005 and Cross Qualified as a Solicitor in 2008. Her expertise is in all aspects of Housing Management including Possession and Injunction Proceedings, Compliance and Disrepair. Her current role comprises of conducting litigation, advocacy, reviewing and policies and procedures.

Amy is passionate about empowering women and helping break down the barriers which prevent women from achieving success.

She is also a mum to two young children and in her spare time loves baking and running.

Sophie started in the business as a Marketing Assistant. After graduating in Business Management, She progressed her career and was an instrumental part of the Seddon to Novus rebrand. Sophie received industry acclaim for this work, receiving a highly commended award for Young Marketer of the Year at the Construction Marketing Awards 2013. Today Sophie is a Non-Executive Director and a shareholder of JSSH. During the course of her career, she has been responsible for the business’ marketing, people, corporate responsibility and customer functions.

 As Non-Executive Director, Sophie acts as a critical friend to the executive team and ensures the business is living its values as well as delivering on its strategy. Sophie is very interested in Novus’ people strategies particularly aspects including diversity, sustainability and ensuring that we leave a positive impact in everything we do. She is also extremely passionate about customer experience and innovation. As well as her involvement with Novus, Sophie is also a board trustee for the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB).

Away from the working environment Sophie loves to read and take part in a variety of sports including skiing, running, tennis, yoga and horse riding. She also enjoys cooking and eating out with family and friends as well as spending time with her two daughters and pets.