Adam Clark – Chair

Adam is an experienced senior leader in the social housing sector. Having previously held Director and Executive roles at Broadland Housing Association and North Star Housing. Adam currently works as a consultant supporting the delivery of strategic reviews, improvement and customer experience.

Adam is a chartered member of the Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) and a founding member of CIH Futures, a board for young professionals. As a frontline member of staff, Adam was involved in supporting the delivery of Your Own Place early projects and remains focused on that founding purpose.

“For so many people, a good home is a foundation for a good life”.

Outside of work, Adam is passionate about the outdoors and runs a freelance photography business.

Warren Gannaway

Warren previously worked for both national and regional contractors providing housing maintenance services to homes across the East of England. He joined the Flagship Group in 2018. 

He led Flagship Services in providing repairs, maintenance and cyclical works to the Flagship Group homes, more than 31,000 properties across East Anglia.  With Flagship Services and in prior roles he has worked with Your Own Place to provide opportunities and support individuals entering the workplace and has witnessed first-hand the positive impact that Your Own Place can bring to the lives of its trainees. 

“I am very happy to join the Your Own Place Board with the aim to continue, and improve on, the fantastic work delivered by Zoe and the Your Own Place team’.

Karen Williams

Karen has worked in the social housing sector for 32 years, starting her housing career in the City of Salford before relocating to Colchester as Head of Housing Management with Colchester Borough Homes. Despite retiring from the sector in 2024, Karen remains passionately invested in the sector and how services can adapt to support people:

“I am passionate about Equality, Diversity and Inclusion. Diversity is not about how we differ, it is about embracing one another’s uniqueness.”

Karen is an experienced governance lead, having held the position of Chair of Governors at Willow Brook Primary and Nursery School in Colchester before taking up Chair of Trustees for Next Chapter, the Domestic Abuse and Refuge commissioned services for the North Essex region.

Outside of work, Karen has recently relocated to North Wales where she spends her time exploring, discovering new places and people, and learning to speak Welsh.

Rowan Ellis

Rowan, an experienced senior risk and finance professional, is the co-founder of Xvaro, a boutique management consultancy focused on Finance, Risk, and Business Transformation. In 2024, Xvaro moved into the Social and Affordable Housing sector, delivering interim resourcing and turnaround solutions tailored to the unique needs of the industry. Rowan’s expertise has concentrated on supporting organisations with Code of Governance compliance and assessments against various regulatory standards.

A passionate rugby and cricket supporter outside the office, Rowan also enjoys travelling and spending time with his 10 year old son who “keeps me young.”

Wendy Fredericks

Wendy is a community activist, wife and mother based in Mundesley, North Norfolk, with a real passion for working alongside people and communities to support their aspirations of a safe, quality home. Wendy believes that when people have a stable place to live, this provides a solid foundation for their well-being and happiness and enables them to reach their full potential in a sustainable way.

Wendy was first elected in 2019 as a District Councillor with North Norfolk District Council. Her passion for supporting our homeless communities led to her being chosen as Cabinet Member for Housing and Peoples’ Services, and, in 2023, being elected as Deputy Leader of North Norfolk District Council.  Wendy has worked across Government to highlight and bring solutions forward to provide more temporary accommodation and for affordable homes to be built within towns and villages. 
“As a Local Government Peer I am honoured to share and learn best practice work with councils country wide.  The honour of being selected as Non-Executive Director for Your Own Place is a real highlight in my career.”