Executive team
By working closely with our Boards, our Executive team continually review our strategic direction, and consider new opportunities and approaches that will help our organisation to grow so we can make a real difference to even more people’s lives.
Anthony Duerden, Chief Executive
(01282) 686499
Twitter: @Calico_Anthony
Anthony returned to The Calico Group as Director of Customer Services in 2011 after working for Community Gateway Association for three years as Head of Property Services. Anthony, who is a qualified accountant, had previously worked at Calico as Head of Finance before he made the move into Asset Management. Anthony is a former member of the Board of Lancashire Housing Partnership Ltd. Anthony is also a White Ribbon UK ambassador.
Helen Thompson, Executive Director of Group Operations
BA (Hons), MSc, CIHM
(01282) 686431
Twitter: @HelenT_Housing
Helen is the Executive Director of Group Operations at Calico, responsible for the delivery of all of the Groups’ services across the North West including affordable housing, construction, development, support, skills, employment and training, and care. Before gaining this role in 2018, Helen held a number of senior positions within the Calico Group with specialisms in neighbourhoods, communities and customer services. Helen is also an Executive Board member of Ring Stones – Maintenance and Construction.
Prior to joining Calico, Helen spent 7 years at Places for People in a range of housing roles including working directly with customers as a neighbourhood officer.
Helen has an MSc from De Montfort University in Business for Housing, a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Manchester University and an ILM 7 qualification in Leadership Coaching and Mentoring.
Vicki Howard, Executive Director of Organisational Development
Bsc (Hons) MCIPD
(01282) 686481
Twitter: @calico_vicki
Vicki has almost 30 years experience as an HR professional, initially in the Transport and Retail sectors before joining Burnley Borough Council in 1998. She was part of the project team that delivered the Housing Stock Transfer in 2000, and has since played an instrumental role in the growth and success of The Calico Group.
Vicki has been responsible for delivering a People Strategy that recognises staff engagement as the route to business success, developing a values led organisation where people are happy and can thrive.
Vicki is also a licensed practitioner in psychometric tools, notably the Myers Briggs Type Indicator, which she uses extensively in the organisation to develop individuals and teams.
Steve Aggett, Executive Director of Group Finance
(01282) 686335
Twitter: @calico_steve
Steve has almost 30 years of finance and business experience. He started his career in audit and advisory at KPMG in Manchester, where he worked across both the commercial and not for profit sectors, eventually leading the Northern Housing Practice.
Steve joined Calico from Your Housing Group, where he was Divisional Finance Director responsible for approx. £120m turnover and leading a commercial business partner approach to finance. Steve is responsible for developing and leading our financial strategy across Calico, which will support the continued growth and success of each company and the Group as a whole.
Ed Barber, Group Director of Strategy and Business Development
B.Ed (Hons), MCIH
(01282) 686305
Ed has over 30 years’ experience in housing and neighbourhood regeneration. He joined Calico from Trafford Housing Trust, where he was Director of Neighbourhoods and Renewal. Having led the stock transfer from Trafford Borough Council, Ed was instrumental in creating the performance culture required to deliver service improvements and efficiencies for the Trust.
A founder Director of Procure Plus Ltd (formerly GM Procure Ltd), Ed also chaired their Skills and Employment Group, which successfully delivered apprenticeships, as well as small business and social enterprise development. Since joining Calico Enterprise in May 2009, Ed has trebled the turnover of this charitable subsidiary, which aims to support vulnerable people and provide skills and employment opportunities to the disadvantaged.
New projects have included: the establishment of a Regional Apprenticeship Training Agency; a Future Jobs Fund programme (which saw 45% of 149 programme employees move into permanent employment); a family intervention project; volunteer management contracts; initiatives to support people with learning difficulties; and additional Floating Support contracts.
Leadership
