Welcome to WISH Northern Ireland

Agnes is CEO of a community based Housing Association in Belfast, Northern Ireland. She is an experienced senior housing leader, having amassed over 30 years of experience in a variety of roles both in the housing, charity and University sectors across Northern Ireland and England.  Agnes also, in addition to current Chair of WISH Northern Ireland, holds voluntary Board positions with the NI Federation of Housing Associations, NI Housing Association Charitable Trust, and Ulster Garden Villages, an unregistered Housing Association with charitable status.  She is tenacious in delivering organisational improvement and champions co-creation in improving the lives of tenants.  She continues within her roles to contribute to effective lobbying to enable social housing providers to have the tools of good policy, clear legislation and adequate funding that will ultimately benefit wider society. A key focus is the urgent need for more energy efficient homes for all.  Outside of work she enjoys travelling and walking with Maggie, her very bouncy and energetic chocolate lab.

I am currently the policy and research officer with the Northern Ireland Federation of Housing Associations (NIFHA). NIFHA is the representative body for the 20 registered housing associations in NI.

My role at NIFHA involves working with registered housing associations, the NI Executive and elected representatives to develop legislation and policies that support and promote the social and affordable housing sector in Northern Ireland. My job involves forging strategic partnerships and mobilising collective action on the things that matter most to us as a sector. My professional background is in the health sector, having worked in two of NI’s health trusts, but I have also spent much of the last 10 years studying at Ulster University, including achieving two master’s degrees.

I have a passion for the social housing sector and for promoting gender equality and I’m really looking forward to blending these two passions together & being the Vice-Chair of the WISH Northern Ireland board.

When I’m not working, you’ll likely find me walking my pup or travelling!

I am currently working in the Development Department of Ark Housing Association, creating new homes and communities for people to live in. I have over 15 years’ experience in customer service, 7 of those years in social housing and the last 5 in Development. My qualifications include a BSC (Hons) in Housing Management and will have completed a Masters in Planning and Development in December 2024.

I am passionate about supporting women who work in Social Housing, especially in Development, motivate and encourage each other to succeed and enhancing best practice. I cannot wait to see what working with WISH brings!

Reach out if you have any questions, I love to chat and learn more about other people. I am always open to trying new things and in my spare time I enjoy reading, aerial hoop, crocheting and playing Dungeons and Dragons with friends.

Since 2002, Roisin has held a range senior management positions in the private and public sector, including Supply Chain Manager, Senior Manager, Energy Efficiency Schemes Manager and Senior Grants Manager, delivering the Department for Communities’ flagship fuel poverty programmes including: Warm Homes, Boiler Replacement and Affordable Warmth Schemes.

Roisin joined the Northern Ireland Housing Executive’s Landlord Asset Management Division in 2013 and worked on the implementation of contracts, scheme delivery policy and processes for the planned maintenance programme before moving divisions in 2017. Roisin is currently the Head of Grants Improvement & Development within the Northern Ireland Housing Executive’s Strategic Housing Authority Division. Her role includes leading on strategic improvements for the Disabled Facilities Grants, Home Improvement Grants, and the Affordable Warmth Scheme.

After graduating, Roisin started working for British Airways PLC but a passion to help others led her to change careers and has motivated her to remain in the housing sector for many years.

Roisin believes that being a WISH board member provides a great platform for women in housing working across all tenures who are working at alleviating the impact of fuel poverty and the climate emergency to share their experiences to drive innovation and meaningful change. The opportunity to collaborate with other women who are excellent ambassadors for the housing sector also offers major source for her personal professional growth.

Tara has worked in the social housing sector since 2006, spending most of her career in the North West of England before joining the NI Housing Executive in 2022.

With a strong background in Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) and governance, she has led initiatives that help create more inclusive workplaces and improve services for diverse customer groups. She is currently the EDI Outreach Manager at the Housing Executive, where she champions equality and inclusion across the organisation.

As a board member of WISH NOrthern Ireland, Tara is passionate about supporting women in social housing to reach their potential, and is keen to foster networks and drive meaningful change in the sector.

Outside of work, Tara is a devoted Liverpool FC fan, a doting auntie, and proudly coaches her niece’s football team. She also enjoys long walks and relaxing at home with her cat Nala – who, like all cats, believes she runs the place.

Serena Hylands is Managing Director of CTS and has worked in the social housing sector for 15 years.

Originally qualifying as a solicitor in Northern Ireland, England and Wales, Serena began her career in the legal profession before joining CTS in 2011. She developed specialist expertise in public procurement, successfully securing multi-million-pound contracts and driving sustained commercial growth for the business.

Throughout her career, Serena has led across contract management, compliance, partnerships and commercial strategy, implementing efficiencies and strengthening governance across the organisation.

Now as Managing Director, she is passionate about strong female leadership within social housing and believes greater representation at senior level is key to shaping a more inclusive, collaborative and forward-thinking sector