Toby is an experienced Customer Experience Lead with a strong background in homelessness services, specialising in customer services, hospitality, engagement, volunteering, and commissioned services. Beginning his career as a trainee support worker in 2009, he has progressed through a wide range of frontline and leadership roles, including Deputy Manager, Operational Manager, and senior leadership positions, developing a well-rounded and strategic approach to service delivery. Toby brings valuable lived experience of homelessness in his youth, which underpins his empathetic, person-centred ethos and commitment to improving outcomes for vulnerable individuals. He successfully led teams through the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, ensuring safety, resilience, and continuity of support during an unprecedented period.

Alongside his professional role, Toby is a dedicated foster carer for Stoke-on-Trent Council, reflecting his passion for supporting others and creating positive, lasting change in people’s lives.

Emma has worked in the housing services sector for over 15 years, with experience across most customer facing roles with her favourite being the investigation and management of Anti-Social Behaviour. Emma specialises in customer services and lean processing. In her previous roles she has led teams through business change and transformation of services. Emma is enjoying a more strategic focus and working with our board/ committee members and the wider business to improve the offer to our customers and the continued development of our teams.

Outside of work, Emma is a parent to a ‘mini me’ and enjoys the peace and quiet of a walk/hike…. Ideally by the sea!

Jordan joined Brighter Futures in November 2024 as Repairs and Assets Manager, before being promoted to Property Services Lead in April 2026.

In his current role, Jordan is responsible for a team of 16 who work to ensure our homes remain well maintained, compliant, and safe environments to live and work in.

Before joining Brighter Futures, Jordan built an extensive career in social housing, starting as a Bricklaying Apprentice in 2011 before moving into Voids Management, where he spent a large part of his career. In more recent years, he moved into Planned Programme Management, while continuing to draw on his experience in voids to provide support during busy periods.

With the growing awareness of damp and mould, Jordan also moved into managing damp and mould cases. He later took this experience into the private sector, supporting a local authority in resolving disrepair cases.

Outside of work, Jordan has a son who makes all the hard work worthwhile. They both hold season tickets for Stoke City, who they enjoy supporting — well, most of the time!

Maxine joined Brighter Futures in 2021 initially as Director of Housing, Property and Development, taking up her post as CEO in December 2023.

Maxine has been an executive/senior leader and consultant in the housing and related sectors for over 25 years, working for, and with a range of public, private and not for profit organisations. Maxine’s housing experience spans, general needs, and specialist supported housing, regeneration, private sector, and community/tenant led models of neighbourhood and housing management. Maxine has also led the delivery of national government programmes, within the regeneration sphere, encompassing housing, neighbourhood transformation, Childrens and Family services. Maxine has also worked in the commercial sector, successfully developing commercial services offer as part of a housing group.

More recently in her career, both as an experienced Senior Interim and Consultant, and in permanent Executive roles. Maxine has specialised in business transformation, combining successful strategic approaches, with front line delivery to ensure sustainable change. She also has experience in supporting organisations to improve governance, organisational culture, and best practice. Beginning her career on the front line, still drives her passion and belief in harnessing all talent in organisations and communities to really deliver positive change.

Before joining Brighter Futures, Maxine’s roles included post of CEO of a community led social housing organisation.

Maxine has a MSc in Housing Policy and Practice, and is a qualified Civil and Commercial Mediator. Maxine’s was also previously Trustee of a homeless charity, holding positions of both Deputy Chair, and Chair of the OD Committee

Outside of work Maxine enjoys being with family, enjoying a varied, and eclectic mix of music and comedy gigs, theatre, and travel, but also liking nothing better than disappearing into a book! A passionate fan of Shakespeare, she still holds the ambition to achieve an MA in Shakespeare Studies – so far, Shakespeare has had to wait, but watch this space!

Anna is Housing Services Lead at Brighter Futures, where she is committed to helping people live well, thrive, and achieve sustainable independence. With more than ten years’ experience leading frontline services, Anna has supported individuals facing homelessness, poor mental health, substance misuse, social exclusion, and other complex challenges.

Passionate about building supportive communities, Anna works to ensure services are person-centred, inclusive, and responsive to the needs of the people they serve. She believes that everyone deserves a safe place to call home and access to the opportunities and support that enable them to fulfil their potential.

Drawing on both her professional expertise and lived experience of mental health challenges, Anna is dedicated to reducing stigma, strengthening partnerships, and creating pathways that empower people to build brighter futures for themselves and their communities.

Matt joined Brighter Futures in September 2022, initially as Repairs & Compliance Manager. After approximately 14 months, he took up the position of Head of Assets & Compliance.

Matt is responsible for overseeing Responsive Repairs, Planned Investment, Voids Maintenance, Caretaking, Procurement, Building Safety & Compliance, as well as organisational Health & Safety.

With around 15 years of experience across construction, building safety, facilities management, and health and safety, Matt has worked across both the public and private sectors, including housing associations and local government. He has led major projects and worked closely with prominent public sector organisations.

Matt is passionate about creating safe and compliant environments and holds a NEBOSH National Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety.

Away from the office, Matt has two young children who keep him on his toes and constantly entertained. He enjoys cheering on the mighty (or perhaps not so mighty these days!) Manchester United, following horse racing, and hitting the gym to stay active.

Daniel is responsible for providing strategic and operational direction for the business, overseeing corporate risk and all areas of service delivery. Daniel is also Deputy CEO for Brighter Futures.

Daniel joined Brighter Futures in 2022 and has worked in the social housing sector for over 25 years, with 16 years in senior management. He is passionate about the important role of social housing and supported housing in helping those in most need to find a safe and affordable home, with access to the help they need to thrive. Daniel has a wide breadth of experience having led high-profile regeneration-based contracts and has managed a diverse portfolio of housing tenures and support.

Daniel holds a Post Graduate Diploma and Master’s Degree in Housing Practice and is a Chartered Member of the Chartered Institute of Housing.

Simon founded a consultancy in 2000, working primarily with public and non-profit organizations to develop strategies, solve problems, and build teams. A professional facilitator, he is committed to involving people in decisions that impact them.

Simon has chaired and served as a non-executive director on several boards, including Relate, where he is currently Chair, and Homeless Link, where he was formerly Chair. A former government adviser and Leadership lecturer, Simon joined Brighter Futures as Chair in 2021 and is passionate about its achievements and future potential.

Mark now leads 54N, providing strategic direction and leadership to ensure strong governance and excellence. He previously served as CEO of Leeds & Yorkshire Housing Association until its merger with York Housing Association in 2022. Mark now leads 54N, providing strategic direction and leadership to ensure strong governance and excellent outcomes. 

With over 25 years in social housing, Mark is a Chartered Member of the Chartered Institute of Housing. He is passionate about customer and staff engagement and continuous improvement. 

Mark is married with two young daughters, one of whom is autistic. Owing to this, he has a genuine interest in neurodiversity and is committed to creating inclusive cultures in the workplace. A lifelong Liverpool FC fan and music lover, he enjoys attending gigs when family life allows.  

Mike has held senior relationship and management roles with RBS, specializing in risk management and business appraisal. Since retiring from banking, he has spent 5 years in the housing sector, holding a non-executive role with Saffron Housing Trust, where he is also Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee.  

Mike is an active scout leader, District appointee, trustee of the largest Sea Scout unit in the UK and the ex-captain of Norwich RFU 2nd XV. He combines all of this with his passion for running and is a trainer and coach at his running club. 

Ben, a chartered engineer, has 20 years experience of Senior Estates & Facilities Management within the NHS managing complex, high value, real estate and delivering significant capital investment schemes. He is currently Estates Lead for the Mid-Nottinghamshire Place Based Partnership. Bens recent non-executive roles also include Board membership with The Learners Trust, an academic academy based in Northeast Derbyshire where he served on the Board and vice chair of the finance and remuneration committees. He is a volunteer trustee with Chesterfield & District Scout Council. Ben has a keen interest in sustainability and environmental schemes. 

Halisha holds a degree in City and Regional Planning and is a member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). She works as the Development Manager of Homes England and volunteers at a homelessness charity in Birmingham. Halisha aims to use her CIH Futures membership to add value to a Brighter Futures and provide leadership and representation to the younger demographic, including advocating and inclusivity across the life course. 

Carl has supported and invested in health and social care professionals, startups, SMEs,  innovators and OEMs for over 20 years. He is a Non-Executive Director and Chair of various committees at a hospital in Merseyside and a health and wellbeing lead at an “Outstanding” school in Cheshire. As an entrepreneur, Carl has developed innovative products and services, from textile design to healthcare facilities and digital platforms, transforming the lives and outcomes of numerous populations regionally, nationally & internationally. He brings a wealth of experience & expertise in governance, business & partnership development.  

Semi-retired Carl is strongly committed to ensuring integrated and transformational building blocks from family values create possible future successes. He enjoys adventures and is passionate about wellbeing, local communities, education, and global sustainability whilst championing inclusion, stroke, dementia, asthma and the vulnerable. 

Mannie is a CIPFA qualified accountant and has over 20 years’ experience working in Local Government. Having served as Chief Executive and Chief Financial Officer she has extensive experience of aligning organisational resources to deliver strategic vision and ensuring strong governance.

She is passionate about place leadership and working with partners to meet the needs of and enable thriving communities and tackle inequalities. With many years of housing related experience she understand the key role a decent home can play in enabling good health and wellbeing and is looking forward to supporting the amazing work of Brighter Futures.

Katie is an experienced Non-Executive Director, having held NED positions with other large and specialist housing providers, including serving as Chair of Spring Housing in Birmingham. Katie has over 17 years’ experience in social housing across a range of business services, specialising in governance, regulation, data and insight. She works full time as Director of Assurance and Business Services for a large West Midlands housing provider and is an active conference and panel speaker on topics including customer voice, regulation and risk management. Katie is a Chartered Member of the Chartered Institute of Housing, holds a postgraduate diploma in professional housing studies, and is a Student Member of the Chartered Governance Institute, working towards the full qualifying programme to become a Chartered Company Secretary.