- Ruth Bagley, BA, MBA – Chair
Ruth is Chair of the Association.
She worked in local authorities for 35 years serving 16 years as Chief Executive successively of two councils. She led teams to success in delivering rural and urban affordable housing including the national award of Beacon status for Affordable Housing. She now acts as a consultant to private sector organisations seeking a positive relationship with the public sector.
Ruth hopes she can bring her knowledge of organisations, strategic management and housing management and delivery to secure housing for local residents.
- Steven Shanahan - Vice Chair
Steven took on the role of Vice Chair in October 2023.
Steven has over 20 years’ experience creating, maintaining and improving social housing and strategic housing services within local authorities. Since 2001 he has been the lead for housing in a number of councils in the Midlands, including as Chief Housing Officer.
He also brings partnership experience to WRHA as the lead for creating shared services across two counties: disabled adaptations and rough sleeping services. In 2019, Steven was made a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Housing in recognition of his work in the sector.
- Deanna Von Anrep
Deanna is a Housing Operations Manager at PA Housing. She joined the Board in July 2019.
She is a Chartered Institute of Housing member and has over 15 years’ experience in the social housing sector with a particular focus on homelessness, allocations and lettings and housing management. She also brings to the board significant experience in policy and procedural development, and the implementation of systems.
- Liam Preston
Liam has worked in the housing and local authority sectors for 10 years and is a chartered public financial accountant.
He is currently the Director of Housing at St Basil’s Housing Association. Prior to joining St Basil’s, Liam was the Head of Operations for a local authority owned housing company in London.
Liam joined the WRHA Board in September 2022 and attended his first meeting on 2nd November 2022.
- Andy Edwards
About Andy coming soon
- Philip Green
About Philip coming soon
- Kulbir Shergill
About Kulbir coming soon
- Hannah Kavanagh
About Hannah coming soon
- Philip Briggs
About Philip coming soon
Governance
As a provider of social housing, we are regulated by the Regulator of Social Housing and we comply with the NHF Code of Governance 2020.
For more information about our governance, please contact us.
- Join the board
Help shape the future of rural communities in the Warwickshire
Warwickshire Rural Housing Association (WRHA) is seeking new voluntary Board Members who are passionate about helping shape the future of specialist rural housing.
For more than 35 years, our innovative charitable housing association has provided high‑quality, affordable homes for people with a strong local connection, helping to sustain and strengthen rural communities across Warwickshire.
Joining our Board is a rewarding opportunity to make a meaningful difference and contribute to an organisation with a clear social purpose.
We are particularly keen to hear from people with a strong interest in affordable housing and community engagement, and with experience in one or more of the following areas:
- Understanding and championing the resident experience, including multi‑channel engagement
- Strategic financial planning and management, including treasury experience
- Delivering services strategically to meet the needs of vulnerable or disadvantaged groups
The Board is particularly keen to strengthen its collective skills and welcomes applicants with knowledge or experience in one or more of the following areas:
- Housing development and the planning system
- Social and housing policy
- Legal expertise
- Working within a regulated environment (ideally housing)