Senior Management Team
Our Senior Management Team is responsible for the day to running of the organisation, setting out plans and ensuring we offer the best services possible.
We pride ourselves on the way we value and invest in people and have developed a specialist training programme to ensure staff are empowered to provide high quality services. We have also set up an NVQ programme to encourage the professional development of staff in the support and care sector.
Profiles
Mark Austin, Managing Director
Mark joined Metropolitan Housing Partnership in 2002 as Director of the specialist support organisation that was to become StepForward, and then part of Metropolitan Support Trust. In 2005, he took on the additional role of Chief Executive for Refugee Housing Association (now Refugee Support). He was appointed Designate Chief Executive of Metropolitan Support Trust in November 2006.
Mark previously managed supported housing at London and Quadrant Housing Trust and held a number of positions at Hyde Housing. After college, Mark's first permanent job was as a support worker for people with learning difficulties. He has also been involved in community work, hospital closure programmes and developing quality assurance.
Paul Birtill, Director of Investment and Development
Paul joined Refugee Housing Association (now Refugee Support) in 2001. Prior to that, Paul worked in the area of community development with the Scarman Trust. Paul has also worked in various capacities with Comic Relief, the London Borough Grants Unit, Brent Council and the National Association for the Care and Resettlement of Offenders (NACRO). Paul completed an MBA in 2006.
Rose Caldwell, Finance and Business Support Director
Rose joined Refugee Housing Association (now Refugee Support) in 2004 as the Assistant Director. A qualified chartered accountant, Rose initially trained with KPMG Belfast, incorporating a period of overseas community volunteering in Zimbabwe with Raleigh International. Rose has worked extensively in the hotel and tourism sector and with Concern Worldwide in Rwanda, Burundi and Zimbabwe and Praxis Care Group in Belfast. Rose is currently on maternity leave.
Ruth Cartwright, Head of Quality & Improvement
Ruth joined Threshold Support in 1992 – before it became part of Metropolitan support Trust – holding a variety of posts before becoming Director of Quality & Performance in 2004. Prior to Threshold Support she worked for other housing associations including Circle 33, Hyde Housing and SCD a secondary housing co-op which established housing co-operatives self managed by single homeless people. Ruth has also worked in a range of settings including residential, day centre and housing management. Ruth is currently on adoption leave.
Lucy Cooper, Director of Operations (Midlands and Yorkshire)
Lucy joined Metropolitan Housing Partnership (MHP) in 1992, and was one of the team that established its specialist support organisation in 2002. A qualified housing professional, Lucy has worked in housing and support for over 30 years, developing a wide range of services for vulnerable people.
Lucy was previously Director of Housing Management and Maintenance at Manchester and District Housing Association, appointed to lead their operations team out of special measures. Lucy has always had an interest in promoting good management practice, leading on management training for the North West Housing Association Group Training Scheme. Lucy continues to be keen to promote high standards of management, and is committed to building strong service user engagement.
Janice Gunn, Director of Operations (London)
Janice joined StepForward in 2003. She has worked in supported housing for over 20 years, managing and developing services for a wide range of client groups, including single homeless people, young people, people with mental health and substance-misuse issues, older people and ex-offenders.
Andy Mead
Content to be confirmed
Jacky Rees, Interim Financial Controller
Jacky is seconded to lead the Finance Team whilst Rose Caldwell is on maternity leave. She joined MHP in June 1995. Prior to this, she worked for Refugee Council. Jacky is a qualified accountant and has 18 years' experience of providing finance services to care and support business.