Rev’d Dr Shannon Ledbetter
Founder & Chair

Day job:

Shannon is an Anglican priest with extensive experience of ministry in some of the most deprived urban areas in the north of England.  She is committed to developing innovative projects that foster cohesion and improve the quality of life for people.

Experience / background:

Currently, Shannon is the Social Justice Minister for the Lancashire Collaborative Ministry where she is coordinating and developing outreach and interfaith activities, which she has been doing since 2016.  In 2011, she moved from Liverpool to Blackburn to become the Community Canon at Blackburn Cathedral. From 2005 to 2009 Shannon was Project Manager for New Anfield / Breckfield, employed by Liverpool City Council and working with commercial, community and public partners to deliver the regeneration initiatives in the area.  She also developed education and tourism materials for the ‘Walk of Faith‘ in Liverpool while a lecturer in Theology and Religious Studies at Liverpool Hope University.

What Shannon brings to HPBC:

Her original vision and passion for setting up the charity has been supported by a committed staff, her fellow board members, volunteers, home partners and corporate donors.  She brings a wide variety of contacts and her experience of regeneration and outreach, especially within faith communities brings creativity and value to the charity.

Mary Anderson
Trustee

Day job:

Mary has helped run Merseyside-based Active PR for more than 25 years, as one of the three founding directors. The business promotes a number of property developers. Mary is also a director of an independent television production company which makes factual programmes for ITV, BBC, Discovery Channel, etc.  

Experience/background:

Mary worked as a journalist for a press agency and local radio and television before moving into PR.   Throughout her career she has promoted a number of leading home builders, guiding them strategically and helping them to build and improve their reputation in both traditional and social media.  Other services provided include event management, crisis management and award submissions.

 What Mary brings to HPBC:

Mary brings a strong knowledge of the media, writing skills and the ability to oversee promotional activity on behalf of HPBC, helping us to secure media coverage in a variety of local, national and broadcast media.

Karen Rachel Kennedy
Trustee 

Day job: 

Karen is an active poet, playwright director and member of the Liverpool arts scene. She has written poetry books and short stories.  Karen is also a semi-professional singer and actor and has performed at many leading venues.  She is also actively involved in Interfaith work, in Liverpool & throughout the Northwest of England.

Experience/background: 

Karen spent more than 27 years in the USA, where she was a Senior Vice President of Sales & Marketing, working for some of the largest American new home builders, amongst other high profile roles.  Karen served as a Board Director of the Southern California Building Industry Association and the ICA Organisation, a US national medical research organisation and was a Marketing Awards Marketing Excellence judge for Southern California.   More recently Karen spent 13 years working for Barclays Bank as a Senior Lending Specialist, in Liverpool and London, before being medically retired.

What Karen brings to HPBC:

Karen has a considerable knowledge of land development & new home projects, including due diligence, marketing, architectural design, forward planning, landscape design and interior design.

Dr William Atherton, Trustee

Day Job

Bill has recently taken early retirement from Liverpool John Moores University but currently holds positions as a Trustee (Director) for Mersey Counselling & Therapy Centre (MCTC) and as an external consultant for Liverpool John Moores University Research Ethics Committee.

Experience/ background:

A Civil Engineer with nearly 40 years experience in science, construction and engineering, Bill’s background was originally in mechanical engineering, before changing focus to civil engineering, where he obtained a first class honours degree and began his teaching role, ultimately becoming a Programme Leader within the School of the Built Environment and achieving a PhD. Nominated for a number of awards, Bill has also presented research papers and has completed a substantial number of journal publications.

What Bill brings to HPBC:

Bill’s knowledge of the built environment and best practice is invaluable to the charity, as we strive to improve quality standards, sustainability and efficiency.  His expertise will help HPBC efficiently plan, design and oversee construction.  Bill will also help implement measures which will ensure we overcome the challenges of increased demands for housing vs the ever increasing needs for more sustainable sources of low carbon construction materials.

Mark Kitts, Trustee

Day Job

What Mark brings to HPBC:

With exceptional leadership qualities, Mark is described as a highly motivated, solution orientated professional. His initiative, knowledge and strategic awareness of local authorities and strategic partnerships are invaluable to the charity. His previous involvement in partnership boards on everything from local enterprise to regeneration gives him an enviable ‘black book’ and an insight into how HPBC can successfully navigate planning, investment and grant funding.

Derek Humphreys

Day Job:

Since retiring from his quantity surveying consultany businesses, Derek has focused on Corporate Governance roles, joining Southway Housing in 2023 on their Audit and Risk Committee, in addition to being main Board Chair of Cornovii Developments (Development Company wholly owned by Shropshire Council) since 2020. More recently, he has also become a Trustee/Director at “The End of Life Partnership” Charity.  Derek has completed a Diploma in Corporate Governance in 2023 and is currently progressing a further qualification on the Institute of Chartered Accountants England and Wales Trustee Training Programme.  Derek is an External Examiner at the University of Central Lancashire (UCLAN) supporting on their BSc(HONS) courses in Construction Project Management and BSc(HONS) and Facilities Management supporting the UK, Hong Kong, Oman and Mauritius Campuses.

Experience/background:

Derek has been engaged in the built environment industry since 1978 starting as a Trainee Quantity Surveyor and has held Director roles in Contracting and Private Practice including in-depth experience in working in the affordable and market sales housing sector with Housing Associations including new build, refurbishment & regeneration projects.

What Derek brings to HPBC:

Derek offers a wealth of knowledge including Contract Administration, Project Management, Employer’s Agent and Health and Safety.  He has run developer-led projects from inception to site.  A keen volunteer, HPBC is one of many roles Derek has held in the construction industry with voluntary roles at the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) holding regional Chair positions and Chair of the Europe Region.