Registered Provider Board

Michael Birkett

Chair

Michael is the Chair of Plexus and also a member of the People and Governance Committee. Michael has had a long career in housing and regeneration and since 2014 has been the Group Chief Executive of The Regenda Group, a North-West based Registered Provider. Prior to joining Regenda, he spent eight years as Chief Executive of The Calico Group. Michael has also held numerous Non-Executive Director roles and is currently Chair of the Fabric District CIC that is focussed upon the regeneration of the London Road area of Liverpool City Centre. Michael has a Doctorate from the University of Bristol and is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Housing.

Non-executive Director and Chair of Customer Experience Committee ‍

Ashley has a 38-year career in social housing and is currently Chief Executive of the housing and social justice charity Commonweal Housing. Ashley has set up new housing associations and was a member of the senior Civil Service heading up the delivery of the 2001 Labour Government manifesto commitment to reduce the use of B&B for homeless families with children. For 3 years, Ashley was Chief Executive of the campaigning charity the Empty Homes Agency. In addition to his executive roles, Ashley has over 23 years’ experience as a housing association Board member. Ashley is currently Chair of the Customer Experience Committee.

Non-executive Director and Chair of Audit & Risk Committee

Paul joined Plexus and Omega Boards in 2024. He is currently Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee . He brings over 30 years of expertise in risk and financial management, governance, leadership, and strategy, as well as considerable housing sector experience from various executive and non executive roles since joining the sector in 2009. During that time Paul has been an Executive Director with Guinness Partnership and held various Non Executive Director roles including chairing Group Boards, Audit&Risk and People Committees with several Registered Providers, where he has also held Senior Independent Director roles. In addition, Paul provides independent consulting services, and he continues to be a keen advocate for better practice across the housing sector with respect to fraud risk management.

Roisin Reynolds

Non-executive Director and Chair of Nominations Committee

Roisin is a Non-Executive Director, as well as a credentialed executive coach and consultant, with two decades' experience in economic development. She is committed to social impact and good governance. She currently serves on three Boards, with Audit & Risk and People & Remuneration experience. Roisin holds an MPhil in Development Studies from the University of Cambridge, an Executive MBA from Warwick Business School, and a BA(Hons) in English from Trinity College Dublin. She is an International Coaching Federation (ICF) Professional Certified Coach with Institute for Executive Coaching & Leadership accreditation and is Hogan certified.

Non-executive Director

Erfana Mahmood is a corporate property lawyer working for a number of large organisations in the financial sector. She is a non-executive on Chorley and District Building Society as well and Plexus Housing. She has just finished two terms of office as a non-executive director at Yorkshire Ambulance Service, including a period as the senior independent director.
Until 31 August 2026

Non-executive Director

Deborah is the Executive Director of Homes, Communities and Environment at Basildon Council, bringing over 30 years of experience across both Local Government and Registered Providers. Throughout her career, she has developed extensive expertise in housing, community services, and organisational leadership. With a particular interest in housing finance, Deborah has spoken at national conferences, sharing insights into the challenges facing local authority housing finances and the factors contributing to the sector's financial pressures. Her motivation for joining the Plexus Board stems from a passion for sharing housing best practice and collaborating with like-minded leaders who are committed to delivering excellence for tenants while maintaining a strong commercial focus and ensuring long-term organisational sustainability sing,

Emily-Rae Bains

Non-executive Director

Emily-Rae sits on Plexus Customer Experience Commitee, alongside her role as a Board Member. Emily-Rae runs Golden Thread Housing Solutions and is an experienced social housing professional with a strong record of supporting organisations to meet regulatory standards. She is particularly committed to seeing the voice of tenants and residents leading change. A former Housing Heroes New Professional of the Year (2017), she has held leadership roles in Local Authority housing services, overseeing housing management, new-build delivery, and strategic partnerships. She is a Chartered Member of the CIH, having completed her CIH Level 5 and holds a master's in social and public policy, an ILM Level 7 in Strategic Leadership.

Executive Director

Executive Director