NFA Awards 2008
Meet the Judges
Michael Gelling
Chair, TAROE (Tenants and Residents Organisations of England)
Michael is the Chairperson of his local estate Neighbourhood Forum, Palace Fields in Runcorn and is also a delegate and founding member of Runcorn Residents Federation, which traditionally covered a New Town area. Michael served on the local Council for sixteen years and held a number of positions including that of Vice Chair of Housing, Chair of Personal Committee and the Social Services Committee. He has continued his involvement in the Housing arena through his membership of the Tenants and Residents Organisations of England of which he is the Chair. Michael served as the Vice Chair of the Guinness Trust North Regional Board for four years as an independent member.
In Runcorn where he lives Michael is involved in many voluntary and community groups which cover the disciplines of community safety, poverty, disability, credit union, youth, welfare rights, education and drug issues. Michael is also the Company Secretary of Halton Community Partnership Trust, a one-stop shop for voluntary sector, is the Chairperson of Hallwood Park and Palace Fields Neighbourhood Management Board and also Chairperson of a seventy place Community Nursery. Michael has served for the past twenty-six years as a Lay Member of the Employment Tribunal Service and currently Chairs the Lay Members Association in Liverpool.
Back to topJanet Dean
Strategic housing adviser, Improvement and Development Agency (IdEA)
Janet Dean is a Director of the Dean Knight Partnership, a regeneration consultancy which combines expertise in strategic development, project management, urban and neighbourhood renewal and the historic environment.
Janet has more than 25 years experience in local government working in housing, social services, planning and economic development, and corporate strategy. She was an Executive Director at Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council until May 2005. Since setting up the Dean Knight Partnership she has completed a range of consultancy and interim management assignments, including leading Hull City Council's housing improvement work as Interim Director of Housing.
Janet is a Neighbourhood Renewal Adviser for Communities and Local Government, a Non-Executive Director of the Yorkshire and Humber Strategic Health Authority, and has recently been elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts.
Back to topSteve Hale
Lovell Partnerships
As Regional Director of Lovell East Midlands, Steve is responsible for the overall day to day management of staff and all operations carried out within the Region. Steve heads the Regional Senior Management team and reports directly to the Managing Director. Steve has regular contact and involvement in all site operations and is able to use his surveying experience within the Commercial department with regards to monitoring and assessing project performance. Steve is also responsible for forming and maintaining close links with strategic partners and clients.
Back to topRoy Irwin
Chief Inspector of Housing, Audit Commission Housing Inspectorate
Roy has worked in housing for over 30 years. Having started with Sheffield City Council, he subsequently joined Derby City Council as Assistant Director of Housing in a joint Housing and Environmental Services Directorate. He worked with Derby for 3 years, before joining Bristol City Council as Senior Assistant Director of Housing dealing specifically with housing management issues. He was promoted to the position of Director of Housing Services in 1991 and took the lead office role for regeneration in the city in 1997.
Roy joined the Audit Commission as the Chief Inspector of Housing in October 1999 and leads the Housing Inspectorate in reviewing the policies, practices and performance of local housing authorities and housing associations throughout England. He is also a member of the Local Government Task Force.
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