Board & Committee Members

Arcon Housing Association Board

John Connolly—Chairman—Joined 1991: John is a qualified jeweller and gemmologist who formerly owned a chain of jewellery shops. He now specialises in antique jewellery, silver and all forms of valuations and runs a jewellery business based in Alderley Edge. John was appointed Chairman in 2006.

Hilda Bullock—Vice Chairman & responsible for Tenant Participation—Joined 1991: Served as Secretary from 1994 to 1999. A former Civil Servant working at the Bolton County Court, Hilda was employed until her recent retirement as a Social Worker for Catholic Children’s Rescue Society, working with children and families. Hilda was appointed Vice-Chairman in 2006.

Tony Murray—Board member responsible for Race Equality and Diversity—Joined 1991: A Qualified Accountant whose career has been spent mainly in Local Authority social work. As Chief Executive for Catholic Welfare Societies in the Diocese of Salford, he is involved in the spheres of work in the care and community support of older people, people with learning difficulties and younger homeless people. Tony is also involved in a wide range of voluntary welfare organisations and is an Associate Non-Executive Director of a local NHS Trust.

William Godfrey—Joined 1994: After joining Manchester City Council’s Housing Department in 1971, William was initially responsible for setting up one of the first Housing Aid Centres in the country. Later, in his role as Assistant Director, he had responsibility for the homeless, the council’s Tenant Participation Strategy and also housing research. As Principal Housing Officer in 1982, he had housing management responsibilities for Hulme and Moss Side and then the North of the City including its overspill estates. Left the council in 1994 to act as Business Manager for Manchester Language School.

Peter O’Hare—Joint Chairman of Finance & Business Development Committee—Joined 1995: A Chartered Surveyor involved in public and private sector housing for 35 years. A founder member of the Housing Corporation’s North of England office and 12 years as Chief Executive of Northern Counties Housing Association. Subsequently went into private practice as a Valuation Surveyor and Consultant to Urban Developers and Housing Associations before retiring in 1994.

Michael Feely—Joint Chairman of Finance & Business Development Committee—Joined 2000: Michael managed the Manchester branch of the Bank of Ireland for 14 years until his retirement in 2000. He now acts as a property and financial consultant. Michael is also a Board Member of Arcon Developments Ltd.

Carole Ogden—Chairman of Housing Management Committee—Joined 2002: Carole was the Association’s Housing Director until 2000 and has extensive housing management experience.

Trevor Brown—Joined 2005: Trevor works at the Chelsea Building Society where he is setting up a Commercial Lending Department. He has extensive experience of lending to the Social Housing Sector and is a member of the Finance and Business Development Committee and was appointed as a Board Member of Arcon Housing Association in June 2006.

Dora Blake—Joined 2006: Dora is a Housing Officer with Tung Sing and has extensive experience in dealing with tenant issues and also serves on the Housing Management Committee.

Father Joseph Carney—Joined 1979: Has served on the Board continuously in various capacities, including Secretary, and became Chairman in 1989. After being ordained in 1968, he has served in parishes in Chester, Sale, Heswall and Donnington and has recently become the Parish Priest for Tarporley and Mouldsworth. Formerly Assistant Director of the Diocesan Catholic Children’s Society, he served for a time on the Social Services Committees of Trafford & Wirral. In 2005, Father Carney stepped down as Chairman and now serves on the Board of Arcon Developments Ltd.

Michael Feely—Joined 2000: Michael managed the Manchester branch of the Bank of Ireland for 14 years until his retirement in 2000. He now acts as a property and financial consultant. Michael is also a Board Member of Arcon Housing Association Ltd.

Nancy Jones—Joined 2001: Nancy has financial, IT and administration skills and experience in managing property development companies. Nancy is also a member of the Finance and Business Development Committee.

John Conway—Joined 1987: John is Managing Director of his own civil engineering business and has other widespread commercial and property interests both in the United Kingdom and overseas.