Governance and Accountability
The voluntary Management Board is responsible for the effective governance and overall strategic direction of the Novas Group. They ensure statutory, legal, regulatory, and performance targets are all met.
The Management Board meets formally five times per year and is supported by an Executive Committee, Audit Committee and Services Committee.
The governance infrastructure is further strengthened by the role of Management Boards and Committees of the Member Organisations.
The Novas Scarman Group complies with the National Housing Federation’s Code of Governance.
A comprehensive Governance Review is undertaken every year to ensure the highest governance standards are in place.
A copy of the Group’s Accountability Policy and Annual Accounts is available separately on request to the Company Secretary Administrator at the Group’s registered office.
Michael Wake BSc(Hons), MSc, MBA, Dip IRTU, COIH joined September 1998
Michael is Founder and Executive Director of the Novas Scarman Group and an Executive Board Member. He has worked in the voluntary housing sector for more than 23 years. Michael has been responsible for the development of a major infrastructure project for the BME communities in Liverpool and is now championing the promotion and inclusion of disadvantaged groups through the exploration of art and culture.
Maria Donoghue-Mills BA (Hons), CIOH, CMS joined September 1998
Maria is Group Chief Executive and an Executive Board Member. She has worked in the voluntary housing sector for 20 years. Maria initiated the Group's pioneering customer employment programme, Novas Employment Works, the Group’s extensive support services and development of a wide range of other new business areas.
Gnosoulla Tsioupra-Lewis BSc (Hons) joined March 2003
Gnosoulla is Chair of the Board. She studied Russian and Law at Surrey University, and trained as a solicitor at city firm Baker & McKenzie. She qualified in March 1994, and as an associate at Baker & McKenzie, specialised in employment law. Gnosoulla joined United Business Media in 1999 as Group Employment Lawyer advising on Group employment law issues and strategy. She is also responsible for promoting diversity across the Group and for the work undertaken in connection with UBM's corporate values.
Keith Bird joined September 2003
A retired Benefits Manager for Camden Local Authority, Keith has a vast knowledge of community development and wide experience of working with tenant associations.
Pat Callaghan BSc, SRN joined December 2003
Pat is a local Councillor for London Borough of Camden. She has experience of working in the healthcare sector and is involved in drug and community safety matters in Camden.
Michael Chinyere ASCA, Adv Dip, PG Cert joined March 2002
A qualified accountant specialising in management accounting and company law, Michael is the Company Secretary and has spent 14 years in the voluntary sector working for Camden Jobtrain.
Mehban Chowdery MSc (Hons) joined June 2003
Mehban is currently employed as Director of Social Housing at NHBC and is Chair of NHBC’s Social Housing Group. His main qualifications lie in construction and project management.
John Humble joined June 2004
John Humble is a customer at Arlington Road flats and has a long history of involvement in customer representation and committee work. As Vice-Chair, John also chairs the Group’s Services Committee.
Steve Richards – Customer Advisor
Steve Richards is a former customer of Novas Scarman's Housing Support service in Bristol. As Chair of Action Works! our South West customer led network, he has contributed to the development of this group which has involved over 200 customers in a range of community based projects, and is now constituted in its own right. As Chair of the South West Customer Involvement Forum, Steve plays a key role in planning and chairing Forum events, and is in touch with views, ideas and involvement of customers in the SW.
