Our Board Members

David Done OBE

 

David Done OBE - Chair of Board

David Done OBE became the Chair of the Gateway Board in May 2023 and has been working in the housing industry for 38 years. His career began with homeless charities in London and Bristol. Later, he held senior-level positions in five local authorities. David also served as the Group CEO of RHP, a renowned housing association located in West London, and has received numerous awards for his contribution to the industry.

Kate Franklin, Chief Executive Officer and Board Member

Kate Franklin - Chief Executive Officer and Board Member

Kate Franklin joined Gateway in August 2021.

Kate is a highly experienced transformation director, senior marketer and recognised expert in building customer-centred businesses. She has a combination of housing and retail experience which has drawn on her commitment to customer experience and insight.

Kate first entered the housing sector in 2008 and has over 12 years experience at an executive leadership level with CHP, Hyde, One Housing Group and North Herts Homes (now settle) and was a NED at MHS until recently.

Bala Mahendran

 

Bala Mahendran - Vice Chair

Bala Mahendran was appointed as Vice Chair of the Gateway Board and Chair of GAP in October 2020. He has been working in Local Government since 1986 and has held various positions, including Chief Executive of Basildon Borough Council and Chair of the Essex Chief Executive Association and the Basildon Community Safety Partnership. Additionally, he served as the Deputy Chair of Prospects College of Advanced Technology (PROCAT). Bala is passionate about housing, regeneration, and achieving sustainable and inclusive economic growth.

Kirsty Mchugh

 

Kirsty McHugh - GAP and Board Member

Kirsty McHugh became a member of Gateway's Board in October 2017. She serves as both a Board member and a member of the GAP Committee. Kirsty is currently the Chief Executive of The Mayor's Fund for London. Prior to this, she held the position of Chief Executive at the Employment Related Services Association (ERSA). Her expertise spans across multiple sectors, including employment, education, regeneration, housing, welfare reform, disability, and social issues.

Sultana Begun

 

 

Sultana Begum - Tenant Board Member

Sultana Begum, a Gateway tenant and teacher for Greenwich Council, became a Board member in Jan 2017 after serving as a member of the Scrutiny Panel.

Mark Miles Lea

 

Mark Miles Lea - Chair RAC

Mark Miles Lea became a member of Gateway's Board in November 2018. He has worked in the housing association industry for over 25 years, most recently as Executive Director for Development and Sales at Optivo. Mark specialises in developing new homes and has been in charge of various new build and refurbishment schemes that offer affordable housing to thousands of tenants and homeowners.

Frances Austin

 

Frances Austin - Tenant Board Member and RAC committee

Frances Austin joined Gateway’s Board in December 2019. Frances has been an active member of the Repairs and Maintenance Leaseholder panel and has over 20 years of experience in delivering community nutrition intervention programmes. She is a recipient of the Tower Hamlets STAR Award for Community Resident Engagement.

nigel wiles

 

Nigel Wiles - Chair of Subsidiaries and Board Member

Nigel Wiles joined Gateway’s Board in October 2020. Nigel is a Chartered Building Surveyor and has worked in the housing sector since 1984. Most recently, he was Director of Asset Management and Maintenance Strategy at L&Q Housing Trust. He specialises in asset management and building safety and is passionate about delivering great maintenance services for residents.

andrew bond

 

Andrew Bond - RAC and Board Member

Andrew Bond joined Gateway’s Board in August 2021. Andrew has held NED roles at various social housing organisations, including most recently Tower Hamlets Homes and Toynbee Housing Association. He is an FCA member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of England and Wales (ICAEW) and has been involved in working parties on issues including leasehold service charge accounting. He is a partner in Evelyn Partners and the Chairman of the registered auditor CLA Evelyn Partners Limited.

 

mark Hamman

 

Mark Hannam - GAP and Board Member

Mark Hannam joined Gateway’s Board in August 2021. He previously worked as an Investment Manager at the Bank of England, Citibank, and Barclays. He is an Honorary Professor at the Yunus Centre at Glasgow Caledonian University and has held several non-executive posts, including Chair of the Board at Fair Finance and Deputy Chair of the Board at the University of East London.

Amarjit Bains

 

Amarjit Bains - GAP and Board Member

Amarjit Bains joined Gateway’s Board in August 2021. Amarjit has held leadership roles for over a decade, specialising in delivering strategy, operations, and transformation. She has managed central government contracts and led social housing and private sector teams, including as Programme Director for homelessness support and prevention contracts across London. She is a board member at grassroots and mainstream organisations and an active member of Women in Social Housing (WISH).