Our Executive Team
Our Executive Team lead the direction of Hedyn. They also support our colleagues and partners to deliver Hedyn’s ambitions.
Paula Kennedy Group Chief Executive Officer
Paula has over three decades of experience in social housing, including Chief Executive roles at Melin and Brunelcare. She has worked across housing associations in England and Wales, providing her with a strong cross-border perspective on the sector. She began her career in London, where she developed a focus on service quality and tackling inequality, priorities that continue to underpin her leadership approach.
Peter Crockett Group Executive Director, Growth and Managing Director of Candleston Homes
Peter has held senior posts in the housing association sector since 1995. He has gained considerable experience in all aspects of commercial activities, ranging from strategic finance, loan funding, development and support services, to establishing and leading a successful for-sale subsidiary. In addition to his day job, Peter has been proud to serve on the Boards of a variety of companies, which has further broadened his expertise.
Gareth Yeoman-Evans Group Executive Director, Resources
Gareth has over two decades of experience in the not-for-profit sector, with a career spanning housing, support and care since 2002. He leads an integrated portfolio, providing strategic direction across a broad range of services and bringing a strong focus on continuous improvement. His approach is centred on achieving better outcomes through the effective balance of cost, quality, and long-term impact.
Joanne Kirrane Group Executive Director, Operations
Joanne has worked in a variety of roles across health, social care, and housing for over thirty years, and has held senior positions in social care and housing since 2003. She is chair of both national and regional groups which seek to improve opportunities and outcomes for citizens through the home. She has a particular interest in cross-sector collaboration, focusing on this in her Doctoral research.
Our Board
Our board is made up of 12 executive and non-executive members. They come from a variety of backgrounds, and bring a range of skills and experience to Hedyn.
Lynda Sagona Chair of the Board
Lynda is an experienced board‑level leader with a distinguished executive career and a strong commitment to improving people’s lives. She brings extensive knowledge of the housing sector and a passion for supporting communities through effective governance. Since retirement, Lynda has continued to contribute through non‑executive roles, ensuring she remains actively engaged in making a meaningful difference. A Chartered Surveyor, Lynda maintains an active professional connection with the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors in Wales.
Martin Reed Vice Chair of the Board
Martin is a highly experienced finance professional and former Finance Director of Brains Brewery, where he served for 17 years. He brings significant expertise in financial strategy. Since retiring from his executive career, Martin has continued to support organisations by advising boards within the property and hospitality sectors.
Sarah Tipping Chair of People and Culture Committee
Sarah has a background in health and social care and is passionate about resident engagement and partnership working. She is currently Head of Strategic Partnerships and Engagement at Cardiff and Vale University Health Board. Sarah brings expertise in collaboration, stakeholder engagement and improving outcomes for communities.
Dale Walker Chair of Audit and Assurance Committee
Dale has over 20 years of experience in programme delivery and digital transformation. He is currently Head of Operational Technology at Pennon Group, having previously held senior leadership roles, including a similar position, at Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water for over a decade. He brings strong expertise in Operational Performance, Cyber Security, Risk Management, Health and Safety and Digital Transformation.
Chris Sutton Parent Representative Board Member of Candleston
Chris is a Chartered Surveyor with substantial experience in property, investment and development markets. He previously served as a Lead Director at global commercial property firm JLL. Chris has also held a prominent leadership role as Chair of the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) in Wales, bringing valuable insight into economic and business matters.
Sanni Salisu
Sanni has experience working in the housing sector across Wales and England, with expertise in contract management, asset management and compliance. Sanni offers valuable insight into operational delivery and ensuring high standards in service provision.
Claire Marshall
Claire is a Chartered Accountant with over 20 years’ experience and an MBA from Warwick Business School. She is currently Group CFO of a Welsh manufacturing and distribution business, with prior roles in corporate finance and the housing sector, including as Corporate Director at Valleys to Coast. She brings expertise in financial strategy, corporate finance, treasury, and governance.
James Tarrant
James brings extensive experience in corporate finance and treasury management. He is currently a Director at Savills Financial Consultants and has held senior treasury roles across housing associations, banks and financial institutions. His expertise includes financial risk, funding strategies and long-term financial planning.
Martyn Blackman
Martyn has leadership experience across housing development, regeneration and executive management. Alongside leading an in-house construction business, he has helped shape strategic investment and growth programmes, with a strong focus on creating thriving places and delivering positive outcomes for communities.
Duncan Short
Duncan brings leadership experience in organisational development, culture change and people strategy. With a strong blend of commercial insight, transformation expertise and governance awareness, he has led major organisational change initiatives, helping businesses strengthen culture, engage colleagues and deliver sustainable improvements in performance and effectiveness.
Maria Organ
Maria has a diverse executive leadership background spanning finance, governance, people and organisational design, communications and marketing and treasury. She has successfully led major financing activities, including private placements and refinancing programmes, while also shaping organisational culture, colleague engagement and corporate reputation. Her combination of financial expertise and people-focused leadership brings valuable insight into both commercial and cultural factors.
Michael Grimditch
Michael has leadership experience across treasury, corporate banking and the housing sector. His expertise includes treasury strategy, funding and investor relations, complemented by significant experience of post-merger integration, governance alignment and building strong organisational cultures during periods of change.
Paula Kennedy Group Chief Executive Officer
Paula has over three decades of experience in social housing, including Chief Executive roles at Melin and Brunelcare. She has worked across housing associations in England and Wales, providing her with a strong cross-border perspective on the sector. She began her career in London, where she developed a focus on service quality and tackling inequality, priorities that continue to underpin her leadership approach.
Gareth Yeoman-Evans Group Executive Director, Resources
Gareth has over two decades of experience in the not-for-profit sector, with a career spanning housing, support and care since 2002. He leads an integrated portfolio, providing strategic direction across a broad range of services and bringing a strong focus on continuous improvement. His approach is centred on achieving better outcomes through the effective balance of cost, quality, and long-term impact.
Board minutes
Download the minutes from our recent Board meetings, including the Annual General Meeting. Some of our publications are in a format that may not be suitable for users of assistive technology. If you need information in a different format, please contact us.
Hedyn AGM minutes 24 September 2025
Read the minutes from our Board's most recent Annual General Meeting.
DownloadPDF 237 KBChief executive pay transparency report
Since April 2017, Community Housing Cymru (CHC) has published a senior management pay report on behalf of housing associations in Wales. The aim of this report is to provide clear and transparent information on senior pay in housing associations in Wales.
Our Strategy
Our Strategy sets out our aspirations for building connected communities where everyone can live well. And it will guide us over the next few years, so we keep our eyes firmly fixed on this vision.
Our StrategyLatest news
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Hedyn reports strong first year as merger lays foundations for growth
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