Meet the board

  • Darren Paterson, MAAT, FCCA – Chair

    Darren is Chair of the Association.

    Darren qualified as an accountant 20 years ago, and has worked for the last 14 of those in public sector audit, working across local government, the NHS and central government. He currently provides consultancy services reviewing and advising on internal controls and performance across the NHS and NHS Wales.

    Other than for a two year stint in New Zealand, Darren has always lived in Northamptonshire, with the first part of his life residing in social housing. He thinks that affordable social housing has a vital role to play in today's society, but can see that role is coming under increasing pressures. He is keen to help ensure that NRHA maintains its important role in providing affordable housing to help people stay in rural communities that they either live or work in.

    Darren also sits as an independent member of the Audit Committee of an NHS Clinical Commissioning Group in Lincolnshire, and enjoys cycling and writing.

  • Teresa Ankin, BSc

    Teresa is a Business Manager, with more than 20 years’ experience in financial services and IT, mainly working in London.

    She has personal and family experience of the difficulties in accessing to rural housing and joined the Board in 2017 with the aim of using her business skills to support the Association in providing a valuable service to the Northamptonshire rural community.

  • Pam Booker, Tenant Representative

    Pam has two daughters, seven grandchildren as well as two great grandchildren. She has personal previous experience of inadequate housing and homelessness as well as some run-ins with bad private landlords in the days just post-Rachmanism, so comes with much experience of fighting for her rights.

    Pam became a tenant of NRHA in September 1994. In 1999 Pam was elected to Daventry District Council as Clipston ward councillor serving six villages in this area and, naturally, with a particular interest in housing and planning. Pam served as a vice chairman of housing before the stock transfer and was a joint chair of the stock transfer scrutiny panel, and acted as a district councillor representative on the NRHA Board during this period. She stood down from DDC in May 2012 to pursue other interests.

  • Wes Boswell

    Wes joined the Board of NRHA in 2018.

    Following a 12 year career in senior commercial roles for a German automotive manufacturer, Wes turned his love for all things property into his profession as a self-employed property investor.

    Starting with a self-build in 2009, Wes has since been passionate about property and prides himself on providing quality and safe homes.

    Wes is keen to support the development of NRHA to build more affordable homes that enable people to continue to enjoy their rural communities.

    Wes has lived in Northamptonshire his whole life and now enjoys being a hands on father to his two young daughters. Wes also volunteers for the NSPCC.

  • Elaine O'Leary


    Elaine was appointed in September 2019 to serve as the representative for Northamptonshire ACRE (Action for Communities in Rural England).

  • Wendy Herdman, BSc (Hons)

    Wendy joined the Board in March 2018.

    Wendy originally trained as a Chartered Accountant and has been working on a self employed basis for over twenty years, and has strong commercial experience. She has a strong interest in energy efficiency of buildings, and qualified as a domestic energy assessor. She is now also a foster carer.

    Wendy moved to a village in Northamptonshire over 20 years ago. She has spent time on the Parish Council of the village, as well as being a school Governor and many years as Treasurer of the village Tennis Club.

    She is a strong believer in affordable housing for all and is keen to help the NRHA sustain its vital role in helping people to live in rural communities

  • Aine Cooper
  • Nicki Kirkup

    Nicki is Head of Communications and Engagement for Nottingham Community Housing Association - overseeing all communication, PR, marketing and digital activities for the organisation.

    Nicki is a member of the National Housing Federation’s National Influencing and Communications Group - supporting sector wide stakeholder strategies and communication campaigns.

    Nicki joined the board in July 2023.

  • Rachel Danemann

    Rachel joined the board in March 2024.

    Rachel is the Regional Planning Manager (Midlands and South West) for the Home Builders Federation and has worked in many parts of the housing world throughout her career.

  • Sue Davis

    Sue joined the board in March 2024.


Governance

Northamptonshire Rural Housing Association has adopted the National Housing Federation "Excellence In Governance Code" to encourage the highest standards of governance and accountability while responding to change and increased risk.

For more information about our governance, please contact us.