Dr Roy Williams
Group CEO
Dr Roy Williams holds a Doctorate in Business Administration and an MBA from the University of Chester’s prestigious Business School. Additionally, he is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Housing.
Since The Sovini Group’s inception, Roy has proudly been the organisations Chief Executive Officer and the catalyst for the Group’s impressive turnover, corporate social responsibility initiatives and, ultimately, in creating affordable homes and thriving communities.
Since 2015, he has been a Chair at Elevate Education Business Partnership, highlighting his passion for our mission of creating opportunities and changing lives. As well as being a CEO, Roy has four children and enjoys the occasional round of golf. You may also spot Roy supporting his local football team.
Tracey Liggett
Chief Finance Officer
Tracey is responsible for the growth and development of the commercial sector of The Sovini Group. As Chief Finance Officer, she ensures that the commercial businesses deliver an excellent service to both internal and external customers.
Alongside her wealth of experience, Tracey is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Chartered Accountants (ACCA) and holds an MBA in Leadership. Tracey is passionate about combining her housing experience with commercial acumen to deliver an ambitious five-year commercial growth plan for the Group.
Ian Fazakerley
Chief Operating Officer
Ian has over 36 years’ experience in the social housing sector, beginning his career with Liverpool City Council before joining Liverpool Housing Trust as Director of Housing and Neighbourhood Management in 1998. In 2010, Ian joined One Vision Housing as Director of Customers and Neighbourhoods before advancing to his current position of Chief Operating Officer.
Ian is now responsible for the smooth-running of the Group’s commercial operations, ensuring continued sustainability and growth.
Kerry Beirne
Chief People and Communications Officer
Kerry joined the Group in 2012, beginning her career with us as Head of People and Learning before progressing to her current role. Kerry is a Fellow Chartered Member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development and leads our award-winning Human Resources, Learning and Development, Policy and Strategy and Marketing and Communications teams.
Her responsibilities include developing the Group’s unique employee culture, recruitment programme and talent scheme, whilst overseeing a variety of HR projects and developing HR strategies for the various companies throughout the Group. Additionally, Kerry works closely with the Senior Management team to ensure the Group remains competitive, continuously improving our service and performance.
Since Kerry’s arrival, the Group has proudly scooped many prestigious accolades, including Investors in People Platinum status and ‘Best Approach to Diversity and Inclusion’ at the Northern Housing Awards.
Anita Spencer,
Chief Business Officer
Anita is Chief Business Officer and oversees our commercial companies: Sovini Trade Supplies, Sovini Property Services, Sovini Construction, Sovini Waste Solutions, Teal Scaffold and Amianto Services. Additionally, Anita is responsible for Group Procurement and Business Development.
Joining the Group in 2010, Anita has played a key role in the development of the Group structure, particularly in regard to new business set up and acquisitions within Sovini Commercial. She is committed to driving quality, innovation and profitability across the Group and believes collaboration and culture are the key ingredients to creating a sustainable competitive advantage.
Awarded Top 100 Most Influential Women in Construction, Anita is a proud advocate for Women in Construction and is passionate about highlighting the opportunities available for women within the industry.
Gaynor Robinson
Operations Director, Finance
As Operations Director, Gaynor leads on the strategic planning for the Finance team. Her role involves preparing business planning, budgeting and funding for both commercial and not-for-profit companies within the Group. She works closely with her team to communicate risk policies and processes across the Group, maintaining positive working relationships to ensure the smooth operation of the business.
Health and safety, risk management and assurance play a pivotal part of her role. Gaynor oversees treasury management and is responsible for the overall revenue, cash flow and finances of the company. In addition, Gaynor is a dedicated mother who loves to spend her free time with her daughter.
Phil Hutchinson
Operations Director – Assets and Compliance
Phil Hutchinson is the Operations Director for Assets and Compliance. He oversees an Asset Programme Delivery of circa £30M for One Vision Housing, together with the Health, Safety and Compliance responsibilities of the wider Group.
Phil is a believer in customer-focused delivery of his role, and is a regular member of local and national forums, including the LCR Assets forum, HQN, NHF and Compliance bodies.
Furthermore, Phil has led the Group to success in achieving awards for Health, Safety and Compliance, including the ROSPA Gold Standard award. He is passionate about his role and motivates his team to achieve high-level performance targets and regulatory safety standards, contributing to business success.
Paula Robinson
Director of Housing and Customer Services
After graduating from the University of Manchester with a degree in Social Science, Paula began her career in housing in 1987 as a Rent Collector for St Helens Council. Throughout her career, she has held a number of officer, team leader and management roles.
In her role as Director of Housing and Customer Services for One Vision Housing, Paula is responsible for the Independent Living Service, Customer Access, Leasehold and Commercial services and Sales.
Her hobbies include horse-riding and spending quality time with friends and family.
Dave Brown
Director of Operations – Pine Court Housing Association
As Director of Operations for Pine Court Housing Association, David manages the Housing Services team and is responsible for all operations. Additionally, he is responsible for the development of strategies for the provision of effective and co-ordinated services to our customers.
With an impressive career in the housing sector spanning 35-years, he has held several non-executive director roles in black-led organisations and community projects. He is passionate about working to promote cultural cohesion, with an ultimate goal of creating a better future for ethnic minority communities.
His commitment to anti-racism and inclusion is further evidenced by his appointment as trustee for Mandela8. His role will support the charity to leave a lasting legacy of Nelson Mandela’s outstanding achievements across our communities by addressing inequality and championing change.
Ian Mitchell
Managing Director for Housing
Ian is the Managing Director for Housing and is responsible for the effective management of our housing teams. He achieves this by leading on delivering exceptional customer service to customers, and ensuring high-quality maintenance of our properties is achieved at all times.
With a strong background in Policy and Strategy, Ian implements strategies to meet internal and external performance expectations. He is currently enrolled on the Doctorate of Business Administration (DBA) at the University of Central Lancashire, following successful completion of his Master of Business Administration (MBA) and Executive Leadership in 2014.
As a lifelong Liverpool FC fan and dedicated father, he brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the role as he drives the success of our Registered Providers of Social Housing forward.
David Cater
IT Operations Director
Dave was appointed as IT Operations Director in 2022 following a long-standing, successful career with the Group. After completing a Business Management and Finance degree, he joined us in 2002 as a Production Support Officer.
Developing his experience through a multitude of IT roles, Dave is now responsible for IT Operations for all entities within The Sovini Group, and was instrumental in the organisation’s digital transformation. He utilised innovative solutions to drive the business forward, both internally for colleagues and externally for our customers.
Dave is a dedicated father to two children and a four-legged friend, and can often be found at Anfield supporting his beloved Liverpool FC.
James Judkins
Group Operations Director – Audit/Financial Management
Having joined The Sovini Group in 2013 as a Technical Accountant, James has continued to develop personally and professionally in multiple roles, culminating in his most recent appointment as Interim Group Operations Director for Audit and Financial Management.
As a Fellow Charted Accountant (FCA), James leads on the statutory financial reporting for the Group and is the key finance lead for income generation and performance within the not-for-profit companies. He is responsible for delivering a wide array of financial services across the Group, including Rent and Service Charge setting, budgeting, performance management, VAT tax and payroll and financial management.
Jenny Cureton
Group Operations Director – Treasury/Financial Planning
Jenny began her career with The Sovini Group in 2015 as Head of Treasury. Since then Jenny has continued to develop, leading to her recent appointment as Interim Group Operations Director for Treasury and Financial Planning.
As a Chartered Management Accountant (ACMA, CGMA), Jenny leads on the long-term financial planning for the Group and oversees risk management, assurance, treasury management, commercial finance and development accounting services.
Jenny is passionate about her role, motivating her team to achieve high level performance targets and compliance with regulatory standards, contributing to business success.
Ammi Williams
Director of Value Creation
Ammi joined the Group as a Purchasing Coordinator for Sovini Trade Supplies in 2015, advancing to multiple roles within the Group before being appointed Director of Value Creation.
She is no stranger to balancing both study and work, achieving a Bachelor’s degree with the Charted Institute of Procurement and Supply (MCIPS) in 2019, before completing a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in 2021.
In her role, she leads the Procurement team to ensure value is created, delivered and sustained across the Group to maximise opportunities and mitigate threats. Her responsibilities include Social and Commercial Procurement, management of the Supply Chain and Fleet and ensuring Value for Money.
As Director of Value Creation, Ammi drives her teams forward to build and strengthen professional relationships and offerings, ultimately achieving the Group’s strategic goals.
Alan Evans
Director of Operations at Sovini Trade Supplies
Alan became Regional Operations Director for Sovini Trade Supplies in 2018, before progressing to Director of Operations in 2022. Alan has been instrumental in the growth of Sovini Trade Supplies, positioning the commercial company at the forefront of the industry through strategic development plans that ensure excellence.
His responsibilities include setting strategic goals to maximise productivity and improve efficiency, collaboration with senior managers to develop long-term operational plans and analysis of current processes and performance to ensure continuous improvement.
When he is not furthering the development of the builders’ merchant, Alan is an avid supporter of Everton FC.
Bill Lacey
Development Director
In his role as Development Director, Bill has led our new build development programme since 2021. He began his career as a Housing Trainee with Sefton Council in 1977, and has worked at Director level for numerous Registered Providers of Social Housing in the North West over the last 25 years.
His expansive experience includes previous roles in Housing Management, Regeneration and Development and Sales. Previously, he was Chair of the Board at Liverpool Mutual Homes and is currently Chair of the Board at Calico Homes, based in Burnley.
Bill is passionate about social housing and the difference it can make to people’s lives. Having begun his career in Sefton, he is delighted his career has come full circle with an opportunity to contribute to Sefton, the community in which he grew up.
Bill enjoys spending time with his family, including the five grandchildren, and his dog. You can otherwise find him supporting Liverpool FC and pottering around on his narrow boat.
Mike Dale
Operations Director at Sovini Property Services and Teal Scaffold
Mike joined The Sovini Group in 2021 as Head of Property Services and Growth, before progressing into his current role of Operations Director for Sovini Property Services and Teal Scaffold in February 2024.
He brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the role, following many years working in numerous roles within the repairs and maintenance industry, from quantity surveying to contract management.
Mike is instrumental in building upon partnerships and collaboration, to deliver social value to our customers and communities through the provision of affordable, quality and sustainable homes.
James Flannery
Director of Sovini Construction and Land Acquisition
James is responsible for the growth and development of Sovini Construction, whilst overseeing and ensuring successful land acquisition.
He leads on the Group’s development framework which aims to support the region’s housing demand through the creation of high quality, affordable homes over the next five years.
Alongside his wealth of construction experience, he has executed several roles in academia and planning. James is committed to the enrichment of local communities and colleagues with a strong passion for corporate social responsibility.
