Meet the Board

Ann-marie Docker

Chair

I have been a member of SCIPS since 1995 either as a member of a TRA or as an Individual member. During this time I have lived in Tividale, Oldbury, Langley and now Smethwick and have encountered many of the issues that affect tenants on a daily basis.

Over the years I have been involved in many of the major pieces of consultation that have taken place for example Compulsory Competitive Tendering, Estate Renewal Challenge Fund and the Options Working Group looking at the four options given to the local authority by the government. One of which was the creation of Sandwell Homes as an ALMO. I was also a Tenant Inspector for 13 years and am now a Tenant Auditor. The other tenant auditors and I look at all the services that tenants receive and produce reports with recommendations to improve services for the tenants of Sandwell.

I became a director of SCIPS in 2001 and I have held the position of Chair since 2010 working closely with the staff and Management Sub Group.

I have a BTEC, HNC and degree in Housing studies and am a corporate member of the Chartered Institute of Housing.

Trevor Purcell

Vice Chair

I have been a member of SCIPS since the 90's and have been on the Board since 2015.

Over the past 20 years I have been an active member of Sandwell's tenant movement. I have also been involved in tenant and residents associations, housing services panels, complaints panel, housing of older people, repairs groups and the new tenants view club.

In my role as Vice-Chair he works closely with the Chair and SCIPS Manager.

Outside of SCIPS I am Chair of Rowley Community Group which meets every six weeks to support tenants and residents of Rowley and address any issues or concerns they may have.

Michael Spencer

Treasurer

I was elected to the Board of Directors and Trustees in April 2015 and have been a member of SCIPS since 2001.

I have lived in Smethwick since the early 70's. I was also a member of Windmill Lane TRA during the 1980's and was member of Mile Oak Court TRA until the block was pulled down in the late 1990's/

I was also secretary to Thompson Gardens TRA until the group folded.

Tom Davys

Honorary Secretary to the Board

I am now in my 12th year as a Director and Trustee of SCIPS. It has been an honour and a privilege to have been involved in the decisions SCIPS make.

I am the Chair of St Mary's House TRA. I have also been involved in starting an information bureau at Sandwell Black Country Mental Health Hospital.

Tony Averis

Director

I have been the Chair of Sandwell Visually Impaired for a number of years and wanted to bring my knowledge to the Board of SCIPS. I sit on Sandwell’s Scrutiny Panel where we received extensive training from SCIPS to improve inclusion and productivity.

Edna Dunn

Director

During my time as a founding member of a popular TRA, I am pleased to say I have been referred to as a leader and driving force of the association.

My skills have been recognised as being communicable , kind, compassionate, decisive and persistent so that the job is done right.

I became a board director and trustee of SCIPS as I feel we share the same core values and I feel I have a lot to offer in terms of the skills and knowledge I have developed over the last 10 years.

Gloria Francis

Director

I have been a SCIPS Director and Trustee for a few years now, during this time I have enjoyed being on the Board very much and have gained a lot of knowledge on many different things. I have been involved with the council on many different panels, I have also done some voluntary work for Age Concern and Agewell. 

I give my full support to the staff and my fellow directors of SCIPS to enable them to achieve their goals.

I am always willing to play my part and learn new things if I need to and I enjoy new challenges.

John Gallagher

Director

Watch this space.......

Kate Gordon

Director

Have lived on Harvills Hawthorn estate since 2000. Worked at Sandwell CABx 1985-1990: Team Leader on West Smethwick Estate (‘Concrete Jungle’) 1985-86, then Joint Manager Smethwick CAB 1996-1990. Sandwell District CABx trustee 2008- 2016. I have 40 years experience in the voluntary sector in a range of roles - volunteer, project worker, manager, trustee – in organisations ranging from local frontline delivery to regional infrastructure. I work at the Chinese Community Centre-Birmingham where I have gained community development skills that would be relevant to SCIPS as a capacity-building organisation. I am keen to be involved with a Sandwell organisation.

Jean Grantham

Director

I have been a member of SCIPS for about 21 years and have been a Board Member for about 12 years.

I enjoy going to meet friends on the Board of Directors and Trustees and the staff that are involved in SCIPS Management.

Alex Lipton

Director

Having been a member of Hateley Cross Big Local Partnership for 4 years and now co-chair of the Partnership and the green spaces sub-group, I have formed a close working relationship with SCIPS, our local trusted organisation, and its staff with whom I meet regularly.

As I am retired from full time work, I am both willing and able to devote some of my time to this role. Having previously worked in Local Authority senior management and as a freelance consultant running my own limited company, I feel I have some transferrable skills to assist me in the role.

Jacquie Purcell

Director

I am an active member of Essex Avenue TRA and Hateley Cross Big Local. I am also involved in setting up a community pantry at the Hub in Hateley Heath. I enjoy mixing with people and being involved with the local community. If I can help others I will. When I was working, I was an office administrator and an accounts administrator dealing with purchases, sales and nominal ledger, VAT, Petty Cash, Wages, Bank reconciliations and general office duties. I always give 100% to any tasks I am given. I have done a 3 year and 2 year position on SCIPS Board in the past and have been on Greets Green Partnership 9 years and 5 years as a Board Director. Tenant Inspectors for 22 years and a member of SCIPS for 16 years and at present on Tenants View Panel and complaints panel for Sandwell Council and was also Chair of Agewell 2016.

Lawson Smith

Director

I have been a Director and Trustee of SCIPS for a few years now, during this time I have enjoyed working with new people and now have lots of new interests thanks to SCIPS Board.

I am Unemployed at the moment my last position was a Manager for a Charity Shop. I still do lots of work for charities, Mary Stevens Hospice Charity at the moment. I give my full support to all the staff and fellow directors to enable them to achieve the best for SCIPS.

Sue Smith

Director

Born in Hamstead, West Bromwich in 1951 and have lived in Hamstead/Great Barr area since then. I have 2 grown up sons and 1 grandchild. My work history was mainly in admin in a legal environment and culminated in acquiring a post as a personal Assistant to the assistant Director of Child Services for a local Authority in Child Protection. I retired 2 years ago and spend my leisure time caravanning, Socialising, Reading and generally enjoying my retirement.

Les Turner

Director

I have been a member of SCIPS for many years now and served on the Board of Directors for quite a few of those.

I returned to SCIPS Board ofDirectors and Trustees in 2022.

I have also served on some of the Sub Committees. I have been in the Tenant Movement for many years and have played lots of roles, and I have also been with Cotterills Farm TMO for over 25 years.