Amanda became Operations Director at Merlin in June 2010 and is responsible for the delivery of front line services to our customers, covering housing, supported housing, asset management and development.
She previously worked for the Aster Group as Housing Director with Sarsen Housing Association and prior to that, Director of Housing & Neighbourhood Services at Flourish Homes (formerly Mendip Housing). Amanda was a key member of the executive team that transformed Flourish Homes from a zero star, uncertain prospects organisation achieving one star, promising prospects within 18 months.
Amanda has worked in social housing for almost 25 years, with over 10 years senior management experience. She began her housing career working with and supporting homeless people at the London Boroughs of Tower Hamlets and Greenwich, before moving to take up a role as Housing Manager with Islington and Shoreditch Housing Association. In 1996, Amanda moved to the south west and has worked for housing organisations based in Bristol, B&NES, Somerset and Wiltshire. Her background and expertise is primarily in housing management, resident involvement, community development and regeneration, working for a period of time as an Independent Tenant Advisor, and has a strong customer centric ethos. Other areas of expertise include: supported housing, asset management, business improvement and development.
Amanda is Secretary of the South West Regional Committee of the Chartered Institute of Housing and she plays an active role at both branch and regional level. More recently Amanda was involved in establishing the South West Branch of Women in Social Housing (WISH) and was appointed as Secretary in 2011. Amanda is a Board member of Selwood Housing, a Wiltshire-based housing association.