Meet the team

Meet Our Board

Our success is driven by a passionate and committed Board of Trustees, comprising of up to nine individuals, who are unpaid and have been selected for their expertise and skill set.

As a collective, they bring a wealth of knowledge and experience, ensuring that we remain at the forefront of our mission.

The Board plays a pivotal role in shaping the future of our organisation and is ultimately responsible for the strategic direction and for holding the Chief Executive to account, to ensure that Solo is well run and operating in line with its purpose.

Pete Goddard

(Chair)

Pete joined Solo as Chair in March 2023 and comes with 25 years’ experience in social housing as a lawyer and as a non-executive.

In 2021 he retired as a Partner at Birkett’s solicitors, where he had led the Social Housing Team for over 15 years.

He has previously been a Board Member and Committee Chair of both Hereward and Sanctuary Hereward Housing Associations and has also been Chair of Norwich City Council’s Housing Improvement Board.

In the past he has also been a shadow board member of a prospective LSVT housing Association and is currently a member of the Norwich Diocese Church Buildings Commission.

Sarah Fish

(Company Secretary and Chair of the Business Development Committee)

Sarah qualified as a Solicitor in 2014 and currently works at a regional firm within their Social Housing Team.

Sarah has experience in advising Housing Associations in respect of acquiring property, regulatory requirements and analysing and charging their portfolios.

April Archer

April is currently employed as an Individual Dispute Resolution Conciliation Officer for the Arbitration Conciliation Advice Service (ACAS).

April holds an Honours Degree in Social Policy and Criminology and significant experience of the social housing sector, having previously worked for over ten years in a front-line housing support role for Flagship Housing Group.

Tracey Dowse

Tracey has worked in housing for many years in a variety of roles, both in local government and housing associations, including working as a Homelessness Prevention Officer for Solo several years ago. She has experience of all aspects of tenancy management, including rent arrears, anti-social behaviour, lettings, homelessness and benefits.

For over 10 years she has managed teams responsible for the tenancy management of large numbers of properties. Her current role is Head of Wellbeing and Partnerships for Saffron Housing Trust, responsible for the management of the supported and specialist accommodation.

Tracey is Chartered Institute of Housing qualified and is the Domestic Abuse and Adult Safeguarding lead for Saffron.

Phillip Ellick

Philip acted as a broker at Mullens & Co and later for Rowe & Pitman, before acting as a dealer at the London Stock Exchange.

Returning to Rowe & Pitman, he became a dealing partner before moving to S. G. Warburg & Co and UBS as Managing Director (equity capital market division).

Philip then joined Fox-Pitt Kelton in 2003 and later served as an Advisory Board Member for Macquarie Group Limited after the takeover by Macquarie in 2009.

Retiring from Macquarie Group in 2011, he is currently a non-executive director of DRENL Ltd (a waste to energy company).

David Sice

(Chair of the Audit & Risk Committee)

David has 35 years’ experience of working in the affordable housing sector; working for Councils, Housing Associations, Housing Charities, Alms Houses and with a particular interest in single person housing need.

David retired as Chief executive of an Essex housing association in 2017 and is currently a freelance consultant, assisting small charities with governance after many years’ experience of being a Trustee or Governor of national (RNLI) or regional/ Charities (CAB).

He is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Housing and an assessor for the National Apprentice for working in housing.

Mark Walsh

(Chair of the Finance & Investment Committee)

Mark has over 25 years in Software delivery for Blue Chip global clients in Financial Services, Communications, Media, Telecoms and Resources.

With years in technology and having worked with a variety of platforms and methodologies, Mark has delivered a variety of products and projects.

Having completed his MBA with Level 7 Dip in Consultancy, he is both current and accredited in Management Practices and Business Consultancy processes and models, delivering for household names including Barclays, UBS, MS Amlin, Vodafone, BT, Cisco, Royal Bank of Scotland and many more.

Could This Be You?

Recruitment starts in January 2024

Lead by our consultants Distinctive People.

Could This Be You?

Recruitment starts in January 2024

Lead by our consultants Distinctive People.

Could This Be You?

Recruitment starts in January 2024

Lead by our consultants Distinctive People.

Meet Our Leadership Team

Our Leadership Team are responsible for running the organisation day to day and steering the ship, ensuring that Solo’s mission is carried out effectively and efficiently and always to the highest possible standards.

At the helm is our Chief Executive, who is directly accountable to the Board of Trustees.

Andrew Meyer
(Chief Executive)

Andrew assumed the role of Chief Executive in June 2023 and with a career spanning the social housing sector, Andrew brings a wealth of experience and a fresh perspective.

His career journey has seen him work in both large and smaller housing providers across England, where he held strategic, operational and consultancy roles. His diverse experience includes a notable stint working in the dynamic housing landscape in New South Wales, Australia. This international exposure has further enriched his insight and perspectives.

Andrew is known for his pragmatic, honest and sensible approach to leadership. He is a problem solver at heart, known for his ability to swiftly grasp complex briefs, see the bigger picture and forge meaningful connections to move things forward at pace.

Zoe Webb
(Business and Operations Strategic Lead)

Zoe joined Solo in 2020 and brought with her an impressive wealth of experience, boasting over 25 years of dedicated service in the housing and homelessness sector.

Her journey has taken her through various facets of the housing landscape, including impactful roles in Greater Manchester. She has made significant contributions in various settings from local authorities to the voluntary and charity sector and also holds a Post Graduate Diploma in Housing Services.

What truly sets Zoe apart is her unwavering passion for addressing injustice and her belief in the boundless potential of individuals. Throughout her career, she has tirelessly advocated for those facing housing challenges. She is a staunch believer in the power of second chances and the resilience of the human spirit.

Nicola Barnett
(Housing Services Manager)

Nicola (Nicki) joined Solo in July 2011 where she joined as a part-time Lodgings Officer.

Her dedication and passion quickly propelled her upward and today, she holds the critical role of Housing Services Manager, overseeing the operational aspects of our services. She also serves as our Health and Safety Lead.

Nicki’s experience of course extends beyond her time at Solo, where she worked for two local authorities, Gt Yarmouth Borough and Peterborough City.

We’re here for everyone, but only with your help

As a small local charity, we do not have the big overheads of many national charities, so your support would help make a difference.

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Our ultimate goal is to be alongside people to regain their independence by offering a hand up, not a handout