Our Board members
Our board determines policies and the strategic and business planning framework.
Catalyst is led by a board of non-executive directors. It comprises a minimum of seven and a maximum of twelve members. These include one residents’ representative and a minimum of six independent members.
Ravi Rajagopal
Chair
Ravi has extensive experience from a 35-year career including 19 years with Diageo. He has a rich and varied background of international and UK commercial and philanthropic experience.
Cary Wakefield
Vice Chair
Cary has had a successful career in FTSE, Public Sector and not-for-profit organisations in the UK and Europe. Cary has over 20 years’ experience in delivering high levels of customer engagement and satisfaction.
Pat Billingham
Member of Remuneration and Succession Planning Committee.
Pat has over 30 years’ experience in the financial services sector, both in public and private strategic business leadership roles including HM Revenue and Customs and as a tax partner at Ernst & Young.
Ian McDermott
Chief Executive
Ian joined Catalyst as the Chief Executive in January 2019, and has 30 years’ experience in the housing sector.
Alison Knocker
Chair of Customer Experience Committee
Alison is Leadership Development Director at IMD Media Limited, an international technology-based business.
Anne Markey
Member of Investment Committee
Anne is an architect and joint founding director of Phelan Architects, and brings considerable experience to her role as a member of our Investment Committee.
Terry Hartwell
Chair of Investment Committee
Terry Hartwell is a chartered surveyor with over 35 years experience in commercial property. He has a degree in Valuation and Estate Management and became a Fellow of the RICS in 1993.
Mike Jones
Chair of Finance and Treasury Committee
Mike is a retired treasury advisor, having worked in the social housing sector for over 30 years where he advised on all aspects of treasury management and funding.
Andrew Wells
Member of the Finance and Treasury Committee, Remuneration and Succession Planning Committee and Investment Committee
Andrew has extensive experience in housing policy and related areas.
Graham Woolfman
Chair of Audit and Risk Committee
Graham provides financial and governance consultancy focusing on a range of areas including to the social housing sector.
Christine Turner
Board member
Christine has over 35 years’ experience in social housing as a senior executive, board member and regulator.
Thelma Stober, BA (Hons) CEDR
Member of the Remuneration and Succession Planning Committee
Thelma is a solicitor and commercial mediator with extensive experience in the public sector.
The Executive team
The Executive team acts as an executive within the authority delegated by the board. This includes detailed scrutiny of performance, the development of policy and procedures and expenditure approvals within budget.
Ian McDermott
Chief Executive
Ian joined Catalyst as the Chief Executive in January 2019, and has 30 years’ experience in the housing sector.
Sarah Thomas
Chief Operating Officer
Sarah joined Catalyst from Guinness where, as the Executive Director of Customer Services, she led the delivery of a customer service culture, launched digital services, and implemented a new model for local, mobile customer-facing teams.
Tim Jennings
Executive Director of Finance
Tim’s career spans over 30 years. After five years in a medium sized firm of Chartered Accountants, Tim has spent most of his career to date with Capita Plc.
Philip Jenkins
Group Development Director
Philip joined Catalyst from Taylor Wimpey Central London, where he was Managing Director since September 2017.
Peter Evans
Group Director of Property Services
Peter has been working in property and construction for over 35 years in different sectors and in a variety of capacities.
Amanda Gonsalves
Executive Director People and Culture
Amanda has a wealth of experience in the housing and social care sectors.
