BOARD RECRUITMENT 2026

Tonic is committed to building a better future for older LGBTQ+ people. We do it because we believe getting older should be empowering, affirming and fun, not scary, isolating or lonely. We’ll do it together to change perceptions, build amazing communities and improve people’s lives. In September 2021, we opened the first LGBTQ+ retirement community in the UK, at Bankhouse in Vauxhall. In July 2025, we received our status as a Registered Provider of Social Housing, making us the first LGBTQ+ specific provider in the UK.

In order to deliver our exciting, ambitious plans for the growth of Tonic, we are seeking Board Members with expertise in Regulation of Social Housing, Business Development, Finance, Retirement Housing and Risk to join our established Board. We are committed to proactively seeking greater diversity and lived experience on our Board, to reflect the communities that we serve.

If you share our passion for community-led provision of LGBTQ+ affirming retirement communities and offer the skills and experience that we have identified we welcome your interest and application - Terry Stacy MBE, Chair of the Board. 

In order to apply, please submit a copy of your CV and cover letter/supporting statement (no more than 3 sides of A4) that highlights your motivations for applying and addresses the criteria set out in the Board member requirements. Please also include details of 2 professional referees. Applications to be submitted with reference ‘Board Recruitment’ to info@tonichousing.org.uk.

The application deadline is Friday 29th May.

We would be grateful if you could complete our Equalities and Diversity Monitoring Form along with your application.

TERRY STACY MBE

Chair - he/him

Terry Stacy MBE JP, was Vice Chair of Clarion Housing Association and now chairs Rent Plus homes, one of the counties first rent-to-buy housing providers. He is a social housing tenant in Islington in North London and has over 25 years’ experience of the housing sector, holding a number of senior roles in both housing associations and local authorities. He has been a local authority Councillor for over 16 years and former Council Leader at LB Islington. He is currently Head of the Liberal Democrat Office at the Local Government Association. Terry was appointed Chair of the board in October 2021, he is our Governance board lead.

FIONA ASTIN

Board Member - she/her

Fiona has worked as an affordable housing development professional for about 25 years successfully delivering both Community Land Trust and co-housing projects and delivered a number of Extra Care schemes in the south of England. Recently, she has been working with local authorities who are starting to directly deliver their own housing again, advising on strategy and approach. Fiona was appointed to the board in March 2020, she is our Audit and Risk board lead.

ASSIAH AWALEH

Board Member - she/her

Assiah has a solid background in operations and service improvement, having worked in social housing for over 10 years, predominantly with General Needs and Leaseholder management. Assiah was appointed to the board in October 2021, she is our Customer and Safeguarding board lead.

JOSE DE PABLO

Board Member - he/him

Jose has been involved in the Later Living real estate sector for over 20 years. He has held positions in a number of investment, real estate development and corporate finance roles in the sector and spent seven years working on the international expansion of US-based care home group Sunrise Senior Living. He is currently the Head of Healthcare Transactions for Europe for Harrison Street Real Estate, a leading alternative asset investment company. Jose was appointed to the board in March 2020, he is our Funding and Finance co-board lead.

PAUL MCDERMOTT

Board Member - he/him

Paul is a director and partner at Trowers & Hamlins who has advised various London councils, the GLA and Homes England on legal and governance issues surrounding social care and older people’s housing as well as specialising in development/ regeneration and public funding. Paul has worked with a range of registered providers and other public sector organisations to develop public private schemes. Paul was appointed to the board in March 2020, he is our Legal and Regulation board lead.

ALASTAIR WILSON OBE

Board Member - he/him

Alastair Wilson OBE has been the Chief Executive of the School for Social Entrepreneurs since 2004, where he pioneered “Match Trading” grants. He is also the Chair of the Foyer Federation; Deputy Co-Chair of Crisis; and a board member Good Place Lettings. He is a co-founder of Tonic Housing and has been a board member since March 2020, he is our Funding and Finance co-board lead.

MICHELLE DAVIES

Board Member - she/her

Michelle is a creative strategic leader with extensive experience working within complex regulated environments in the health, charity, and commercial sectors. She has spent most of her career in the housing and social care sector, working in a range of roles with the specialist mental health charity Richmond Fellowship, Clarion Housing and most recently as Head of Housing & Regulated Services with Jewish Care, delivering their ambitious new build Retirement Housing portfolio. In 2015 she achieved a career highlight working in partnership with the Amy Winehouse Foundation to open Amy’s Place, a ground-breaking and innovative recovery housing project for women. Michelle was appointed to the board in October 2021, she is our HR and EDI board lead.

SAM EMERY

board member - He/him

Sam is currently Partner and Co-Managing Director for Politics, Engagement and Planning at London Communications Agency. Sam was appointed to the board in June 2022, he is our Press, Comms and PR board lead.