Meet the Board

Paul Tinnion, Chair

Paul has been Chairman of Cestria's board since October 2006.

He was Chairman of Gateshead Council's Housing Committee for 15 years and a board member of Home Housing Association for 16 years.

He is an elected governor of Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust and is Chairman of Governors of Furrowfield Special School, Gateshead.

Originally a computer programmer, he was a political organiser for the Co-operative Movement for 31 years, retiring in 2006.

His interests include theatre, opera, playing golf and watching Newcastle United.

Vera Codling, Vice Chair

Vera, from Great Lumley was an Administration Manager for 23 years and was also the former President for Tyne and Wear Secretaries Association.

Vera is an active member of her local Tenants and Resident Group where she serves as Treasurer and is also the Treasurer of Great Lumley’s Women’s Institute. Vera also is a School Governor at Falla Park Primary School, Felling.

Linda Henderson Gray

Linda Henderson Gray works for Your Homes Newcastle as the Assistant Central Services Manager / Complaints Officer. Linda was involved in the successful housing transfer process from Newcastle City Council to ALMO (Arms Length Management Organisation).

Linda brings with her extensive experience of customer care and complaints, and organisation skills. Linda has previously worked in the training and recruitment sectors providing opportunities for unemployed individuals across the North East of England.

David Thompson

Councillor Thompson is the Chairman of the Council and also Ward Councillor for Lumley. (Full C.V. is currently being updated)

Jim Cordon

Councillor Cordon has been the County Councillor for Pelton since May 2001 and has also been a Parish Councillor for 12 years.

He is the current Chairman of the Board of Governors for Roseberry Sports and Community College. 

Councillor Cordon also has experience in serving as a Justice of Peace for 14 years.

     John Shiell

     Councillor Shiell is the County Councillor for Chester-le-Street North and East.

     During his career he worked as a Project Engineer for Northern Electric before taking early retirement in 2002.

     He has a degree in electrical engineering as well as being a member of the institute of engineering and technology.

He is an active member of South Pelaw Residents Association as well as a Governor of South Pelaw Infant School (LEA Appointed).

Pat Rivett

Pat Rivett now works as a volunteer at Beamish Museum. Prior to retirement she worked full time for CWS Distribution Centre as a Purchasing Clerk. Pat is an active member of the Cestria Reference Group and is also involved in various other working groups within the Association.

In the last few years Pat has taken courses in anthropology, sociology and psychology and also completed a computing course.

Ron Trotter

Ron is a retired Education Office Welfare Officer for Durham County Council, he is also retired member of Chester-le-Street District Council and was Chairman of the Council during 1995-1996. He was the Chairman of Housing for 6 years and was also the Chairman of the Housing Appeals Panel.

Ron is now an active member of the Tenant Ground Maintenance Inspector Team for the Association. Due to Ron's vast experience of working and living in the Chester-le-Street community he has considerable knowledge of the needs of the District.

Janette Loan

Janette, from Sacriston is the Chair of Lilac Community House and is also a member of the Cestria Reference Group. She is very passionate about her local community, both young and old and has been awarded a 'Respect' Award for her work in reducing crime and anti-social behaviour in her area. Janette was also involved with the development of an estate agreement between Lilac House and Durham Community Safety Partnership.

Allen Turner

Councillor Turner has been a Sacriston Ward Member for 7 years and was Chairman of the Council from 2005 – 2006. New Unitary Councillor. He is a School Governor at Sacriston Junior School and has attended as a parent helper for 13 years helping the children with their literacy and numeracy skills. He is a Parish Councillor and a trustee for the new Community Centre as well as been involved with the local Development Group.

Councillor Turner has experience of working in both the Public and Private sector.

Adam Moss

Adam is currently a senior manager working in Child Maintenance and Enforcement, and prior to that he spent 10 years with Nissan in Washington.

Adam is a Chartered IT Professional and Fellow of the British Computer Society, where he also serves as vice-chair and webmaster of the Newcastle-Upon-Tyne Branch. He can also be found volunteering locally within the Business Ambassador, STEM, and IT4C programmes.

David Scutt

David is a qualified lawyer currently working for the Crown Prosecution Service Special Crime Division in York. He has also been a qualified solicitor for 25 years and has appeared for the Crown in both the Magistrates and Crown Courts all over the country.

Kevin Kelly

Kevin has over 20 years senior management experience in the housing sector and has worked in a diverse number of housing organisations in England. He has experience of working with Housing regulators such as the Audit Commission on inspections, Tenant Services Authority and the Homes and Communities Agency on stock transfers, mergers, regulatory investigations and social housing grant applications.

Kay Nichol

Kay Nichol has been a resident of Chester le Street for over 35 years and cares passionately about the welfare and quality of life in the community. Over the last three decades Kay has served on the Governing Boards of three Schools as Parent Governor at Edmondsley Primary School and St Leonard’s Roman Catholic Comprehensive School and currently as LEA Governor at Bullion Lane Primary School.

Kay has been a Justice of the Peace for 15 years serving in the Adult Court and previously in the Youth and Licensing Courts.

Isabel Smith

Up until May, 2007, Isabel was a ward Councillor for Pelton for eight years as well as the Portfolio Holder for Housing and Community Safety for four years. As the Portfolio Holder for Housing, Isabel was involved from the beginning of the stock transfer process and is very keen on seeing the promises made to tenants being delivered. Isabel has a good knowledge of regeneration and housing issues as well as community involvement.