English Rural’s success is the result of our hard working and highly skilled team of staff.
Martin Collett is Chief Executive of English Rural and has worked in the rural housing sector for around 20 years. A Corporate Member of the Chartered Institute of Housing and a University of London graduate, Martin has dedicated his career to strengthening rural communities through the delivery of high‑quality, affordable homes.
Before becoming Chief Executive, Martin held a range of senior roles. He is current Co-Chair of the Rural Housing Network, helping to shape national policy and champion the needs of rural communities and has served as Chair of the Rural Housing Alliance. He now serves as a Trustee of CPRE, the countryside charity, contributing his expertise to national discussions on the future of rural England. Martin is also a Director of the Rural Services Network.
Passionate about a range of issues impacting rural England, Martin works closely with partners, local authorities, and community organisations to secure the long‑term sustainability of rural places. His leadership focuses on ensuring that rural homes are well‑designed, environmentally responsible, and rooted in the needs of local people.
Karen Eagles is Governance and Executive Support Manager and Company Secretary at English Rural, having joined the organisation in 2008. She supports the Senior Management Team and is responsible for governance, board and committee effectiveness, and organisational compliance. Karen also plays a key role in people‑focused functions, including human resources, employee wellbeing and employer health and safety, helping to ensure English Rural is a supportive, well‑governed and responsible employer. Her professional background spans financial services, international corporate administration and local government political offices.
James Crawford-Smith joined English Rural as Communications and Administrative Officer in October 2024. Previously a Royal Reporter at Newsweek, he brings extensive experience in strategic communications and stakeholder engagement. His background includes roles at Historic Royal Palaces, where he managed interdepartmental communications and coordinated major exhibitions at Kensington Palace, and The Lady Magazine, where he served as Fashion Editor. James holds a Master’s degree with Distinction in Museum Studies from University College London.
Richard DeVille joined English Rural in 2022 as Development Director. He plays a key role in delivering the organisation’s growth and environmental goals. Richard brings extensive experience from previous positions as Head of Development at both Hightown Housing Association and Fairhive Homes in Aylesbury as well as infill housing programme schemes in Enfield and Brent Councils. He is responsible for overseeing English Rural’s development programme, focusing on increasing the delivery of affordable rural homes. Richard works to implement sustainable development practices and ensure projects meet local community needs
Nick Hughes is the Regional Development Manager for Surrey, Sussex and Hampshire. He joined English Rural in 2008 after working as Housing Development Manager at Guildford Borough Council. Nick’s extensive knowledge of rural Surrey and its affordable housing issues informs his work. He is responsible for identifying and progressing new development opportunities in his regions. Nick is a Member of the Chartered Institute of Housing and brings valuable experience in local authority housing to his role at English Rural.
Wendy Farrell joined English Rural in 2023 as a Development Project Manager. She brings extensive project delivery and design experience from her previous role as Design Coordinator with a Hertfordshire-based main works contractor. Wendy has also delivered affordable housing schemes for Fairhive Homes in Buckinghamshire. She understands the unique opportunities and challenges of rural exception schemes. Wendy is responsible for managing housing development projects from inception to completion, ensuring they meet quality standards and budget constraints.
Emily Mulvaney took on the role of Development Project Manager at English Rural in January 2025, utilising her extensive experience from Rentplus-UK, Laragh Homes, and the Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority. She has championed community housing, previously leading programmes at East Cambs Community Housing. Emily has also held volunteer roles with Jimmy’s Night Shelter and the Jubilee Sailing Trust, reflecting her commitment to social wellbeing and adventure. Her time as a deckhand provided her with the thrill of crossing the Atlantic, while her rescue dog, Lila, and her newly acquired campervan, destined for France, continue to fuel her adventurous spirit.
Kathryn Harrison joined English Rural in 2006 and is now Resident Services Director. She leads all aspects of resident services, including repairs and maintenance, compliance, asset management, and sales and lettings. Kathryn has around 20 years of experience in the social housing sector. She is responsible for ensuring high-quality services for English Rural residents and overseeing the maintenance and improvement of the organisation’s housing stock. Kathryn is a Corporate Member of the Chartered Institute of Housing.
Kathryn is the Senior Officer Responsible for day-to-day compliance with the Consumer Standards and is also our Property Health & Safety Lead
Charlotte is Assistant Director of Customer Services, having joined English Rural in 2022 as Customer Services Manager. She brings extensive experience from a large housing association, where she managed complex customer service cases, alongside a background in the leisure industry overseeing sales and membership operations. In her current role, Charlotte leads English Rural’s customer service function, ensuring residents receive high-quality, responsive support. She is focused on driving service improvements and enhancing overall customer satisfaction.
Tom Sandy joined English Rural after working for a large regional local authority as a Building Surveyor. He holds a BTEC Level 3 in Civil Engineering and a first-class degree in Building Surveying. Tom has experience in renewable technology implementation and design. In his role, he is responsible for conducting property surveys, identifying necessary repairs and maintenance work, and overseeing their completion. Tom works to ensure English Rural’s properties are well-maintained and meet high standards of quality and safety.
Blaize Rhodes is a qualified OCDEA, DEA and Retrofit Assessor, specialising in SAP and SBEM calculations and holistic energy‑efficiency solutions. He now serves as Stock Condition Surveyor for English Rural, applying diagnostic expertise across a diverse rural housing portfolio. Alongside this, he has led Duty Care Limited and has consulted independently, delivering compliant SAP, SBEM, overheating and water‑efficiency reports, EPCs and retrofit assessments for domestic schemes. Formerly Director of Ecocleen Dorset and Commercial Director at Gourmet Classic, Blaize has scaled teams and driven revenues past £1 million. His blend of technical acumen and entrepreneurial leadership makes him a trusted adviser on sustainable buildings, compliance and performance optimisation.
Steve Fusco joined English Rural in 2023, having previously transitioned from a large Housing Association where he was responsible for managing a voids team. Steve’s earlier positions include working as a Project Manager handling residential insurance claims, with a particular focus on subsidence issues. In addition, he has accumulated two decades of experience across various organisations, including local authorities, housing associations, and a facilities management company. Within his present role, Steve undertakes property inspections and void inspections, carries out stock condition surveys, identifies repair and maintenance requirements, and oversees the completion of works. He is committed to ensuring that English Rural’s properties remain well-maintained and continue to comply with all necessary standards.
Graham Mann joined English Rural in 2020 and is now Repairs & Maintenance Surveyor, having previously worked in our Development Team as Development Design Manager. He brings to the team an extensive architectural and technical background, with a particular focus on rural housing design, delivery and maintenance. Graham has a first class honours degree in Architectural Design Technology and is an Associate member of the Chartered Association of Building Engineers. His responsibilities include the inspection and assessment of English Rural’s housing stock, the identification of repair and maintenance priorities, and the management of works through to completion.
Jade Clark joined English Rural in 2015 and became a permanent staff member in 2016 as Housing Services Administrator. She was appointed Regional Housing Manager in 2017 and Senior Regional Housing Manager in 2023. Jade previously worked in retail for six years. In her current role, she oversees housing management services in her region, ensuring high-quality support for residents. Jade is responsible for tenancy management, rent collection, and addressing any housing-related issues that arise in her area.
Luke Versteeg joined English Rural in 2012 as Housing Services Administrator and is now a Regional Housing Manager covering Kent, Sussex, and parts of Surrey. He holds a master’s degree in Geography and has over 10 years experience in housing management. Luke holds a Level 4 Certificate in Housing by the Chartered Institute of Housing. and is responsible for managing housing services in his region, including tenancy management, rent collection, and addressing resident queries. He works to ensure high-quality housing services for English Rural residents in his area.
Luke is our ASB (Antisocial Behaviour) Lead
With over 12 years’ experience in social housing, Tom has built a career dedicated to supporting communities. Beginning as a Project Worker at a Gloucestershire-based homelessness charity, he progressed to become a Housing Officer in 2015. After completing his Housing studies at Plymouth University, accredited by the Chartered Institute of Housing, Tom assumed the role of Housing Manager at a small housing association in 2019. He is passionate about delivering excellence in housing management services, with a steadfast commitment to professionalism and resident satisfaction.
Nina joined English Rural in July 2025 as Regional Housing Manager, with responsibility for areas across Cambridgeshire and Essex. She brings nearly a decade of experience in social housing, including roles as a team leader overseeing repairs administrators and schedulers, and more recently as a Housing Manager. Before moving into the housing sector, Nina worked in finance, having been based at a private bank in Mayfair. Nina is known for her ability to build strong relationships with residents, and has a proven track record in resolving conflicts and delivering high-quality housing management services.
Terri Browning joined English Rural in 2017 as a part-time Services Assistant, becoming full-time later that year. In 2021 she was appointed Sales & Lettings Manager. Terri previously worked in childcare and teaching for eight years. In her current role, she oversees the sales and lettings processes for English Rural’s properties, ensuring smooth transactions and positive experiences for new residents. Terri is responsible for managing property viewings, processing applications, and coordinating the allocation of homes to eligible residents.
Michelle Groom joined English Rural in 2022 after taking a career break to raise her family. She previously worked in HR roles in the UK and Asia. Michelle works part-time as the Sales and Lettings Administrator, handling the day-to-day administration for all sales and lettings. Her responsibilities include processing applications, coordinating property viewings, and assisting with the paperwork involved in property transactions. Michelle helps ensure a smooth process for residents moving into English Rural properties.
Alena Morris is English Rural’s Compliance Officer, having joined English Rural in 2023 as a Senior Customer Services Advisor. She brings valuable experience from a major housing association, where she trained new staff and supported colleagues in delivering effective customer service. Alena also has five years’ experience in the care sector as a team leader, with a strong emphasis on person-centred service delivery. In her current role, Alena leads the customer service team, ensuring residents receive high-quality support. She is focused on resolving queries efficiently and building positive, lasting relationships with residents.
Dawn Cridland joined English Rural in 2014 as a Repairs and Maintenance Officer. She previously worked as a Contract Administrator for a local central heating company for over seven years. Dawn brings extensive knowledge of repairs and maintenance within the heating industry to her role. As a Customer Services Advisor, she handles resident queries, particularly those related to repairs and maintenance. Dawn works to ensure residents receive timely and effective responses to their property-related concerns.
Dee Charles joined English Rural in 2021, bringing experience in real estate customer relations and private lettings from the UK and USA. She previously had a long-term career with The Royal National Institute for the Blind, providing frontline services and managing their international publication service. Dee holds a degree in Business Studies. As a Customer Services Advisor, she handles resident queries and provides support across various aspects of housing services. Dee is committed to delivering high-quality customer service to English Rural residents.
Erika Francis joined English Rural in 2023 as a part-time Customer Service Advisor. She brings nine years of experience in kitchen and joinery design, which has honed her attention to detail and customer service skills. In her role, Erika handles resident queries, provides information about English Rural’s services, and helps resolve any issues that arise. She focuses on delivering empathetic and effective customer service, drawing on her background in design to understand and meet residents’ needs.
Lucinda Brassey joined English Rural in June 2025 as Resident Services Co-Ordinator, bringing her experience from the private rented sector. Lucinda plays a hands on role in supporting colleagues across the Resident Services teams. She helps keep key processes running smoothly, supports policy and compliance work, and works with teams to strengthen services and improve the day to day experience for residents.
Matt joined English Rural in 2025 as Resident Services Assistant, bringing valuable experience from the legal services industry. Prior to joining English Rural, Matt worked at Setfords, where he held roles as Administration Assistant and later as Business Development Executive. These positions helped him develop strong organisational, communication, and client service skills. At English Rural, Matt works closely with the Sales & Lettings Manager and wider Resident Services Team to support residents through responsive service delivery and effective issue resolution. His professional background has contributed to his strong commitment to community-focused work.
Eddie Smy joined English Rural as Finance Director, bringing experience from roles at Cross Keys Homes and Santander. He leads the finance function, focusing on treasury, risk management, budgeting, and financial planning. Eddie plays a crucial role in supporting English Rural’s growth ambitions and maintaining strong financial stewardship. He works to ensure the organisation remains on a sound financial footing, sustaining its financial resilience and supporting the achievement of its strategic goals. Eddie is committed to upholding English Rural’s strong social purpose.
Ferdi Lachica joined English Rural in 2002 as an Accounts Assistant and was promoted to Finance Manager in 2014. He is responsible for preparing management accounts, cash management, maintaining the fixed asset register, and producing year-end financial schedules for the Group. Ferdi also manages the day-to-day operations of the Finance Team. His long-standing experience with English Rural contributes to efficient financial management and reporting within the organisation.
Lorna Murdoch joined English Rural in 2008 and is now Accounts Supervisor. She oversees the organisation’s transactional accounting, including rents, purchase ledger, sales ledger, and cashbooks. Lorna previously worked as a Finance Assistant at Stonham Housing Association. In her current role, she ensures accurate and efficient processing of financial transactions, contributing to the overall financial management of English Rural. Lorna’s experience in social housing finance supports her work in maintaining robust accounting practices.
Joanne Binks joined English Rural as Management Accountant, bringing over 20 years of experience in finance. She has worked in property development finance with Surrey-based developers and as a Management Accountant for a FinTech company. Joanne is responsible for financial analysis, budgeting, and producing management reports to support decision-making. She contributes to English Rural’s financial planning and helps ensure the organisation’s financial health. Outside of work, Joanne enjoys pottery and painting.
Meti Hysenaj joined English Rural as a Finance Assistant, bringing experience from various roles in the finance sector. He holds a degree in banking and finance. In his role, Meti supports the Finance Team with day-to-day accounting tasks, financial reporting, and data analysis. He contributes to maintaining accurate financial records and assisting with budgeting processes. Meti’s background in finance helps ensure efficient financial operations at English Rural. Outside of work, he enjoys theatre and outdoor activities like football and hiking.
Hawazen Hamzeh joined English Rural as a temporary staff member in 2022 and became permanent in 2023. She previously worked as a Finance Administrator Assistant at the Nursing and Midwifery Council. In her current role, Hawazen manages purchase and invoice accounts and provides support to the wider Finance Team. She contributes to maintaining accurate financial records and ensuring smooth financial operations. Hawazen’s experience in financial management supports her work in maintaining efficient accounting processes at English Rural.
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