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.
Hamish Munro
Hamish is a regeneration and development specialist. In the last 30 years he has been the Director of Development Consultancy at TC Consult, the Head of Regeneration at Newport Unlimited, and has delivered regeneration projects for the Welsh Development Agency and Welsh Government. Hamish is a qualified youth worker and has worked in several youth and community organisations, and is currently coaching the local U18’s football team.
Karen Tipple
Karen started her career as a Probation Officer before moving into the housing sector as a support worker 15 years ago. She has since held a number of roles, spending her last 5 years in senior management positions. She is currently the Director of Specialist Housing and Support for United Welsh Housing Association. She has extensive experience of working with people with a wide range of complex needs. Karen is passionate about working in a psychologically informed way and doing things differently, based on strong and meaningful relationships.
Martin Ridgeway
Martin has worked in partnership with local RSL’s, local authorities, Welsh Government and private developers for over 25 years, and has extensive knowledge of the Housing and Property market. Martin has a strong background in Regeneration, particularly in Town and City Centres, and is a member of the Vibrant and Viable Places Management Board in Bridgend. He has developed a strong and clear understanding of the need for transparent and sound governance through his voluntary and professional roles.
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!
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.