Board Members
Our Board Members embed outstanding governance, leadership and innovation in a well established and successful housing association. Scroll down to meet them!
Kirsten Achtelstetter, Chair of the Board
Kirsten is an experienced Technology executive with a strong record of transformation and growth across FTSE250 organisations and start-ups. Having held various CTO roles in the City, she has deep experience in financial services technology across asset management, trading and FinTech. She now runs her own business advising clients on business strategy, organisational efficiency and technology delivery. Her personal passion for property brought her to Caredig in March 2022.
Christina Hirst, Senior Independent Director (SID)
Christina is a chartered surveyor with approximately 30 years’ experience both in practice as a surveyor and as a management and training consultant. She has held a number of non-executive director positions in the housing and property sectors and has a strong understanding of good governance. She is the author of a range of professional and cross industry standards and guidance and is passionate about sustainability holding a Masters degree in renewable energy and resource management.
Amie Chapman
Amie is a Qualified Accountant with over 12 years experience in the Housing Sector. She is passionate about people, communities and believes in excellent customer satisfaction. Outside of work Amie has three children, is a member of a local Crossfit Gym and enjoys walks with her six dogs and ski holidays with her family.
Daniel Lewis
Daniel has been active in the social housing sector for more than 15 years. He is a Housing Association Company Secretary and is responsible for risk management, corporate governance, audit services and compliance matters. He is an experienced governance professional and has served on boards of housing associations and registered charities. Daniel is passionate to find ways to bring the customer voice into the boardroom as a central point of governance discussions.
Dr Henry Apsey - Co-optee Board Member
Henry is an Engineering Project Manager within the energy sector where he leads major projects in sustainable energy innovation. He holds a PhD in Chemical Engineering from Swansea University and serves on the Regional Steering Group for the Royal Society of Chemistry. He has a strong track record in organising large-scale events, from national conferences to community-facing outreach programmes. Outside of work, Henry channels his creativity as a lighting designer and technical organiser for theatre, expos and festivals. His blend of technical insight, creativity and organisational experience strengthens his role on the Caredig’s board and supports its commitment to the local community.
Dr. Marc Aneurin Morgan Penny MStJ
Dr Marc Penny is a seasoned leader in Operational Excellence, Business Transformation and Innovation with over 25 years’ experience delivering major change programmes across health, public and charity sectors. He has led large-scale transformations in the NHS, Local Government bodies and UK-wide organisations, with a focus on improving outcomes, service quality and access for vulnerable and marginalised groups.
Marc is deeply committed to social purpose through his voluntary work. He is Board Chair and Trustee of Brynawel Rehabilitation and a Trustee and Non-Executive Director of St John Ambulance Cymru where he Chairs the People Committee. His passion lies in helping organisations deliver compassionate, evidence-based support to those most in need.
Marc Leppard
Marc has over 30 years experience in governance, compliance and risk management in senior roles in financial services and major corporates like BP Plc. He currently works as a compliance senior advisor working with a UN agency and is Chair of Audit & Risk at another Welsh housing association and a higher educational facility. He also chairs a Welsh wildlife trust and is Chair of Finance at a cathedral. He has four daughters - 2 of whom were educated at Swansea University and is very used to being a hockey dad, standing in the cold and wet nearby Swansea’s hockey pitches!
Max Humber
Max has worked in the automotive, aerospace and metals processing industries. He joined Jaguar Cars in 1988 and has held operational, technical and commercial roles in both large international and private businesses. He has been CEO of two private equity-owned manufacturing businesses and is able to focus on both operational and strategic objectives. Max holds an MBA from Warwick Business School and an Engineering degree from Portsmouth Polytechnic. He is married and has 3 sons!
Sarah Gee
Sarah has over 20 years’ experience working in local government, predominantly at a senior management level, with a strong housing focus throughout her career. She has held responsibility for the management of 7,000 council homes, including an in-house property maintenance service and the development of an ambitious new-build housing programme. Her service portfolios have also included community safety, community development, children’s early help, libraries and welfare services. She is passionate about improving the quality of life in our communities through collaboration and partnership working. Sarah retired in 2022 and is actively involved in her local community, otherwise filling her time playing pétanque, messing about with paint, and walking her small terrier.
Steffan Phillips
Steffan owns a Healthcare Service Design Consultancy and has over 30 years of experience in the industry. He was a director of a charity working with adults with learning disabilities, has a post-graduate qualification in Philosophy and Healthcare, and is a member of the European (Care) Pathway Association. Steffan supports community development, reducing social isolation and health and wellbeing. He is very active in the voluntary sector, and works with the friends of parks and gardens community!
Wiard Sterk
Wiard is a Dutch citizen and moved to Wales in 1984, via a brief spell of living in London. His career began in theatre. After obtaining an Art History degree from the Open University he worked extensively with artists, communities and public and private sector clients, developing creative projects and strategies in support of large scale regeneration and infrastructure renewal. He was the CEO of two successful creative agencies where he initiated and implemented significant organisational change, and worked across Wales, the UK and internationally. More recently, he developed guidance for vulnerable EU citizens in the UK to assist them in obtaining their new immigration status post Brexit and helped establish the charity Settled, of which he is now a Trustee. Wiard is a Trustee of Sinfonia Cymru, is a keen sailor and lives with his wife in one of Cardiff’s traditional dockland communities, where they also run a small allotment.