Our Board

Our Board's composition is a strong, balanced blend of skills and experience, allowing it to offer guidance in core areas of importance to Assettrust Housing. Click on a director's name to see further information.

Executive Directors:

Sir Brian Unwin

Sir Brian Unwin is honorary President of the European Investment Bank (EIB), President of the European Centre for Nature Protection, President of Euronem, and a Director of the Franco-Belgian bank, Dexia.

From 1993 to 2000 he was President of the EIB, President of the European Investment Fund and a Governor of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. Sir Brian was Deputy Secretary to the Cabinet responsible for Economic Affairs, and Chairman of the Board of HM Customs and Excise from 1987 to 1993

Richard Arthur

Richard Arthur is also chair of the Bedford Growth Partnership and a director of Accord plc.

He was Leader of the London Borough of Camden from 1993-2000, a member of the Audit Commission from 1995-2003, a board member of The Housing Corporation from 2000-2004, chair of Public Private Partnerships Programme from 1998-2000, and has served as a member of a cabinet sub-committee. He has been on the boards of over 40 companies.

Peter Chapman

Peter Chapman is a social housing consultant who has directed a wide range of consultancy assignments, research projects for government departments, option appraisals and strategy reviews, stock transfer implementation and partnership and regeneration initiatives.

Peter founded Chapman Hendy Associates in 1988. He has been a specialist adviser to several House of Commons Select Committee inquiries, including the 2003/04 Decent Homes Inquiry. In a voluntary capacity he is a Director of the National Tenants’ Resource Centre charity.

Peter Kershaw

In a career spanning over 30 years he has been involved with many developments including Cutlers Gardens, London Bridge City and as a Founding Director of Stanhope plc, Broadgate and Stockley Park.

From 1992 to 1996 he was General Manager of the Kuala Lumpur City Centre redevelopment, incorporating the Petronas Towers. He has twice successfully bought and sold the Executive Offices Group and currently has several business and real estate investments ranging from forestry to leisure including significant interests in China.

Giles Makay

Giles is owner/principal of the Assettrust Group and has spent 15 years establishing and running new businesses and investing in structured real estate transactions. Assettrust is the umbrella vehicle for his interests.

Kenneth Cox

Ken joined Assettrust in early 2002 after a career in international investment banking spanning 30 years.

He has worked in the UK and USA for Chase Manhattan Bank and for the last thirteen years of his banking career was the Global Head of Securitisation for Barings and subsequently ING. He has worked extensively throughout the world on a variety of projects but has been heavily involved since the mid 1980s in financing the UK property markets.

Vivian Rosser

Viv joined AHL as Partnership and Development Director from private developer St. James Group where he was Group Development Director.

Previously, Vivian was a Director of Thames Valley Housing Association and Head of Housing at Reading Borough Council.

Frank Newell

Frank Newell joined AHL from Housing Consultants.Co.Uk where he was a founding partner and provided advice to a number of Housing Associations & Local Authorities.

Frank has over thirty years experience in residential property management and in housing consultancy in the UK & overseas. Frank was previously Director of Public Housing at London Borough of Brent, senior lecturer on Institute of Housing professional qualification courses and a board member of a regional housing association.

David Orchin

David joined AHL as Sales and Marketing Director. Working in the private residential development sector for 8 years David has held director roles with both David Wilson and Berkeley Homes, operational in the South East of England. Previous back experience comes from a number of years in residential estate agency.