Our management team

Nikki Chawda, Managing Director

Nikki joined FHA in 2005 and has 31 years’ housing experience, including five years at the Housing Corporation and Audit Commission. As an inspector, she completed 47 inspections of services delivered by housing associations, supporting people bodies, administration authorities, Arm’s Length Management Organisations and the strategic functions of local authorities. 

Nikki has helped FHA move to a higher level of customer service delivery as well as achieve significant performance improvements. With a passionate belief in diversity and empowering communities, she works closely with customers, staff and the Board. Nikki was shortlisted as a finalist in the national Asian Women of Achievement Awards in 2010.

Alison Morley, Operations Manager

Alison joined FHA as a part-time housing officer in 2003 and became housing manager in 2005. The following year Alison took on the role of Operations Manager with overall responsibility for general needs housing, maintenance and supported housing. She has 17 years’ housing experience, having worked for local authorities and housing associations in different areas of the country.

She led the SAFE team to one of the first level 'A' supported housing QAF assessments in Leicester. Alison also leads the city’s first mental health consortium Conduit, providing housing related support services together with Norton House and the National Autistic Society.

Phil Stacey, General Needs Team Leader

Phil has over 25 years’ experience working in housing, covering a range of specialisms including rent arrears, IT strategic management and project management. He has worked in both local authority housing departments as well as a diverse range of housing organisations across the country. Phil joined FHA in 2008 and leads a team of two housing officers, our customer service advisers and technical officer. Together they provide housing and neighbourhood services to more than 760 properties in Leicester.

Meena Kumari, SAFE Team Leader

Meena joined FHA in July 2009 to manage the domestic violence project SAFE. Meena has extensive experience of managing and working in domestic violence services and in commissioning and training.  At any one time, her team can support up to 48 women who have experienced, or are experiencing, domestic violence. The team was assessed as a grade A service following the City Council review in the summer of 2010, a first for East Midlands Housing Group and one of the first in the city.

David Keysell, Floating Support Team Leader

David became the team leader for floating support services in 2010. He has more than 25 years' experience in the field having worked both for local authorities and housing associations. With expertise in managing hostels, accommodation based and floating support projects, he has helped the team achieve many positive outcomes for our customers. His team of Supported Housing officers deliver support to 92 people so they can live independently, manage their home and help meet identified support needs

Verdi Francis, Hostels Leader

Verdi is our Hostels Team Leader, with responsibility for delivering high quality accommodation based support to 22, male (15), and female (7) residents in our two hostels located in Highfields.

The culturally sensitive service supports residents to find suitable long term accommodation in their communities. This includes both support planning alongside involvement and engagement activities that build capacity and confidence of the residents.

Verdi joined Foundation in 2002 as a Supported Housing Officer working in the Hostels and in generic and mental health floating support services. Having become the Senior Supported Housing Officer in 2005 she became Hostels Team Leader in 2006. Verdi has a BSC in Social Studies and worked as a primary school teacher in St. Lucia before coming to the UK.

Tony Brooks, Community Development and Projects Co-ordinator

Tony joined FHA in October 2007. He spent 10 years with East Midlands Housing Association as part of the housing management team in Leicester delivering housing services to more than 1,000 properties across Leicestershire and Lincolnshire. He joined FHA to help develop and deliver resident and service user involvement and community development. He also oversees new business initiatives in keeping with the business plan. He works closely with front-line staff and customers to ensure that FHA responds to their needs and views. He oversees the production of the Foundation News quarterly magazine and works with local agencies, residents’ associations and community organisations across the city.