Audit and Risk Committee

Leigh is a Chartered Accountant and has held senior leadership roles for over 20 years across a range of large financial services organisations. Leigh brings extensive experience in finance, risk management and audit, gained in a highly regulated sector. Leigh’s current role as Chief Internal Auditor within the insurance sector includes providing oversight to the Board and Audit Committee in protecting the assets, reputation and sustainability of the organisation, as well as providing oversight and challenge to the leadership team. Leigh brings a breadth of experience across financial, customer, regulatory and operational risks as well as transformation oversight.

Ian is well-known within the business community of Halton. Ian brings over 25 years’ experience in the telecoms, financial services and Consulting sectors to the Board. Ian is currently CEO of IH Management Consulting alongside his roles as a non-executive director for Durham Lane, and Chair of the Halton and Wides Chamber of Commerce and Enterprise.

Jennifer has over 30 years of executive experience leading finance and risk teams operating in both manufacturing and financial services industries. She is currently CFO at Wienerberger for the UK and Ireland. Wienerberger is the world’s largest producer of bricks and supplies construction products and services to the housing construction market. She also works with Manchester Business School where she is member of the North West Productivity Forum, part of the Productivity Institute working with business and government with a focus on education and skills and also part of the North American board of Manchester University.

Ian has undertaken a range of strategic and operational roles within the housing and construction sector for over 20 years. He has progressed via technical engineering positions and senior management posts to become a strategic leader in social housing. He has extensive experience in leading large complex housing organisations – including succession planning and developing apprenticeship & graduate programmes – as well as leading in-house repairs and maintenance organisations, delivering strategic asset management and major investment programmes and implementing new building safety and asset compliance arrangements. Ian also has wider non-executive board member experience in organisations across the Midlands and previously held the position of Chair of the Audit & Assurance Committee at a registered housing provider. Ian holds a number of technical and leadership qualifications, has a master’s degree in construction project management and is a Chartered Member of both the Chartered Institute of Building and Chartered Institute of Housing.

Geoff is a highly accomplished Non-Executive Chair and Director with over 40 years of demonstrable success in business transformation. He excels at driving increased business value, backed by a robust background in governance and risk management, and a talent for achieving consensus among stakeholders. Geoff's core strengths lie in strategy development, digital innovation, governance and risk management, transformation program delivery, organisational design, and talent management. His extensive cross-sector experience spans information technology, healthcare (NHS), care services, adult learning, and financial services (investment, wealth, retail banking, building societies, and insurance). Additionally, Geoff is a respected Governance Advisor, serving as Chair of a Combined Authority Standards Committee and Vice Chair of his local Parish Council.