Management Board
The business has been set up as a Community Land Trust (CLT) and incorporated as a charitable Community Benefit Society (CBS), a form of co-operative business, with a Membership open to local people. It has a Management Board, whose Members/Directors are local people predominantly living in the Holme Valley. This Management Board will deliver the affordable low-energy homes and be accountable to the EcoHolmes membership.
The Management Board is responsible for running the EcoHolmes business; at the first AGM all the founder Directors stood down and a new Board was elected by the CLT membership for terms of up to 3 years, to achieve a rotation of elected Directors. The officers of EcoHolmes, namely the Chair, Secretary and Treasurer, are appointed by the Management Board.
The current Board Members and Directors of EcoHolmes are:
Andrew Wright
Chair
Chairman of AW Hainsworth, integrated woollen mill in Pudsey and Non-Exec Director of Covelya Group, an Ocean Science company, and a mechanical engineer. Part of the Transition Towns movement since early days (2007). Lives at Magdale in Honley. Elected Director.
John Queening
Company Secretary
Ex-director of HoTTWind @Longley community wind turbine business, retired civil engineer and ex-Project Director of infrastructure construction projects, lives in Holmfirth. Founder and elected Director.
Catherine O'Halloran
Ex-health professional and retired Associate Dean of Human Health & Sciences, University oif Huddersfield. Member of HV Parish Council Climate Emergency Standing Committee and lead on Transport. Lives in Holmfirth. Elected Director.
Tony Hood
Ex-Board member of Kirklees Neighbourhood Housing (KNH), ex-Director of Housing Kirklees Council, lives in Honley. Founder and elected Director.
Steve Kerridge
Ex-Housing Association Director, Steve has recently moved to Kirkburton from Bromley, Kent. He previously worked in the social housing sector for almost 40 years, for Local Authorities, Housing Associations and as a consultant. A member of the Chartered Institute of Housing. Coopted Director.
Stephen Sheard
Ex-MD of Rowan Yarns and Creative Director Crafts for Coats Plc, Founder Director and ex-Chair of Fair Trader Coop, a Holme Valley community business, lives in Choppards, Holmfirth. Founder and elected Director.
John Shepherd
Ex-CEO of Action Halifax (regeneration not-for-profit company), BD Manager UK Homefinder, ex-Kirklees and Rotherham council housing manager, lives near Hagg Wood, Holmfirth. Founder and elected Director.
Derek Thomas
Resident in the Holme Valley since 2000, Derek lives in Upperthong. Derek has held a range of directorships in the construction industry and is currently the full-time Sales Director for West Port, a manufacturer of bespoke timber windows and doors. Along with his wife Rachel they also own and run the Gift Horse shop in Holmfirth. Derek is also a charity trustee for Meltham Community Pre-school. Coopted Director