Our Leadership Team
Chris Hampson
Chief Executive
Chris was appointed Look Ahead’s Chief Executive in January 2015 after 15 years at the organisation, including time as both a Director and Deputy Chief Executive. He has extensive strategic experience of shaping care and support services, including the acquisition and integration of several specialist subsidiaries into a group structure.
Chris has more than 25 years’ experience working in housing and social care, including research and campaigning on behalf of the National Housing Federation and in new business, policy, and communications for two London housing associations. Chris has an unwavering focus on safeguarding, compliance and governance, and a strong personal commitment to championing the integration of care and support, health, and housing on a national level. He has previously chaired the National Housing Federation’s Supported Housing Providers Forum and sat on their National Care and Support Advisory Group.
He became a board member at housing and care provider, GreenSquare Accord in 2022. In February 2023 he joined the board of VODG (Voluntary Organisations Disability Group).
Chris has more than 25 years’ experience working in housing and social care, including research and campaigning on behalf of the National Housing Federation and in new business, policy, and communications for two London housing associations. Chris has an unwavering focus on safeguarding, compliance and governance, and a strong personal commitment to championing the integration of care and support, health, and housing on a national level. He has previously chaired the National Housing Federation’s Supported Housing Providers Forum and sat on their National Care and Support Advisory Group.
He became a board member at housing and care provider, GreenSquare Accord in 2022. In February 2023 he joined the board of VODG (Voluntary Organisations Disability Group).
Julie Blair
Executive Director of Corporate Services
Julie joined Look Ahead in 2016 as our Director of People and has 25 years’ experience in HR, including extensive experience across the private sector. For Look Ahead she leads governance, people, communications, business transformation and IT. She initiated the Move Forward transformation programme, which is now starting its third phase.
She has experience in retail, logistics, oil, and education, and 16 years’ experience in the housing sector, where she worked for organisations including Home Group and Affinity Sutton.
Julie joined us from the Circle Group, where she led business transformation and merger integration with Circle Housing and Clarion.
In February 2023 Julie joined the Wandle board as a Non-Executive Director and as Chair of the People Committee.
She has experience in retail, logistics, oil, and education, and 16 years’ experience in the housing sector, where she worked for organisations including Home Group and Affinity Sutton.
Julie joined us from the Circle Group, where she led business transformation and merger integration with Circle Housing and Clarion.
In February 2023 Julie joined the Wandle board as a Non-Executive Director and as Chair of the People Committee.
Hari Punchihewa
Chief Financial Officer
Hari joined Look Ahead in 2023 with over 25 years board level experience across number of sectors driving transformation, profitability, growth, value creation and financial sustainability.
He has experience in charity, investment banking, higher education and corporate finance. He joins us with a strong reputation for business acumen and building high performing finance teams.
Hari is also an experienced Non-Executive Director across both Private and Public sectors and chaired boards and sub committees such as Audit and Risk, Remuneration, Investment and Finance.
He has experience in charity, investment banking, higher education and corporate finance. He joins us with a strong reputation for business acumen and building high performing finance teams.
Hari is also an experienced Non-Executive Director across both Private and Public sectors and chaired boards and sub committees such as Audit and Risk, Remuneration, Investment and Finance.
Nicole Njie
Executive Director Group Operations and Customer Experience
Consumer Regulations and Safeguarding Lead
Nicole started her career as a Support Worker supporting young people and adults with learning disabilities to move from institutional hospital settings to live in supportive community settings. Having joined Look Ahead in 2017 as Deputy Director of Housing and Support, Nicole became Executive Director of Customer Experience and Quality in December 2022, having held various Director roles within the organisation. She holds responsibility for a range of business areas including business intelligence, customer experience and co-production, customer services, quality management, health & safety, safeguarding and organisational policy across Look Ahead. She is the Executive lead for Safeguarding Children and Adults and chairs Look Ahead’s Safeguarding Panel.
Before joining Look Ahead Nicole held several senior leadership roles in housing, service improvement. business development, property acquisition, and business transformation across supported housing, homelessness, health, social care, criminal justice and the charity sector. As well as managing her own consultancy she has worked for leading providers including Home Group and Thames Reach.
Before joining Look Ahead Nicole held several senior leadership roles in housing, service improvement. business development, property acquisition, and business transformation across supported housing, homelessness, health, social care, criminal justice and the charity sector. As well as managing her own consultancy she has worked for leading providers including Home Group and Thames Reach.
Jason Hapgood
Executive Director for Property and Assets
Building and Safety Lead
Jason became Look Ahead’s Executive Director for Property and Assets in April 2024. He first joined the organisation in 2021 as Head of Asset Management before being promoted to Director of Property Services in April 2022. He has worked in the property services environment for over 20 years, working within local councils, ALMOs, and housing associations. Jason has responsibility for asset management, planned works, building safety, repairs and voids and facilities.
Lauren Gable
Executive Director of Commercial and Growth
Lauren joined Look Ahead in 2025 as Executive Director of Commercial and Growth. She is a finance and commercial director with experience in the health and commercial sectors. For Look Ahead she leads business development, business intelligence, commercial subsidiaries, acquisitions and partnership development.
Lauren has held Director roles across various NHS Foundation Trusts, including Cambridgeshire & Peterborough, Essex Partnership University, and King’s College Hospital, with portfolios in including finance, commercial, partnerships, legal, IT and estates.
A chartered management accountant and legal professional, Lauren is also a coach and mentor. She brings financial expertise, legal insight, and people-centred leadership to the executive team, with a focus on innovation, co-production, and collaboration.
Lauren has held Director roles across various NHS Foundation Trusts, including Cambridgeshire & Peterborough, Essex Partnership University, and King’s College Hospital, with portfolios in including finance, commercial, partnerships, legal, IT and estates.
A chartered management accountant and legal professional, Lauren is also a coach and mentor. She brings financial expertise, legal insight, and people-centred leadership to the executive team, with a focus on innovation, co-production, and collaboration.
Claire Luxton
Director of Governance and Assurance
Claire joined Look Ahead in 2015 and as Director of Governance and Assurance she is responsible for company strategic governance, company secretariat, regulations and risk management at Look Ahead. Before joining Look Ahead, Claire worked for a range of organisations including the Care Quality Commission, Housing 21 and the Royal College of Nursing in a variety of roles including compliance and governance.
Our Board
Baroness Mary Watkins of Tavistock
Chair
Mary is a General and Mental Health Nurse with a Master’s Degree in Nursing and a PhD. She has held several clinical and higher education appointments.
Mary was Dean of Health Studies and Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Plymouth University, roles which involved development of the Peninsula Medical and Dental Schools. She has held several non-executive board posts including as Deputy Chair of the South-West Ambulance NHS Foundation Trust.
As Alternate Chair of Nursing Now, a global initiative to raise the profile of nursing, Mary co-chaired the WHO Review of the State of the World’s Nursing in 2020. She recently chaired the HEE Mental Health Nursing Workforce Review and the National Wound Care Strategy Programme (NHS England).
Mary holds an Emeritus Chair in Healthcare Leadership at Plymouth University, is a Visiting Professor of Nursing at King’s College, London and is a Fellow of the Royal College of Nursing.
Mary joined the NHS England Board in January 2023.
Mary was appointed as a Cross-Bench Life Peer in 2015 and is now a Deputy Speaker in the House of Lords.
Mary was Dean of Health Studies and Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Plymouth University, roles which involved development of the Peninsula Medical and Dental Schools. She has held several non-executive board posts including as Deputy Chair of the South-West Ambulance NHS Foundation Trust.
As Alternate Chair of Nursing Now, a global initiative to raise the profile of nursing, Mary co-chaired the WHO Review of the State of the World’s Nursing in 2020. She recently chaired the HEE Mental Health Nursing Workforce Review and the National Wound Care Strategy Programme (NHS England).
Mary holds an Emeritus Chair in Healthcare Leadership at Plymouth University, is a Visiting Professor of Nursing at King’s College, London and is a Fellow of the Royal College of Nursing.
Mary joined the NHS England Board in January 2023.
Mary was appointed as a Cross-Bench Life Peer in 2015 and is now a Deputy Speaker in the House of Lords.
Sarah Willows
Board member
Chair of Look Ahead’s Investment and Treasury Committee, and Audit and Risk Committee
Sarah joined the Board in July 2021, and Sarah brings a wealth of finance experience and knowledge to the Board, having spent the last four and a half years as Chief Financial Officer and Member of the Executive Leadership Team of KPMG UK. Whilst CFO, Sarah was responsible for the business’s financial strategy, investments, treasury, financial reporting, taxation, procurement, facilities and profit improvement..
Sarah was a Partner at KPMG for circa 20 years, where she held a wide range of leadership roles both client facing and internal. These include leading the Energy Practice, leading global relationships with key clients and being the head of Innovation and Knowledge and acting as a Deal Advisory Partner for clients on buying and selling companies and raising finance.
In addition to her career at KPMG, Sarah was a member of the Advisory Board of Lloyd’s Register Energy Division and chaired a London-based YMCA hostel for the homeless ages 16-24 for four and a half years.
She is currently also a Non Executive Director of Storegga Geotechnologies.
Sarah was a Partner at KPMG for circa 20 years, where she held a wide range of leadership roles both client facing and internal. These include leading the Energy Practice, leading global relationships with key clients and being the head of Innovation and Knowledge and acting as a Deal Advisory Partner for clients on buying and selling companies and raising finance.
In addition to her career at KPMG, Sarah was a member of the Advisory Board of Lloyd’s Register Energy Division and chaired a London-based YMCA hostel for the homeless ages 16-24 for four and a half years.
She is currently also a Non Executive Director of Storegga Geotechnologies.
Chris Hampson
Board member
Chief Executive
Chris was appointed Look Ahead’s Chief Executive in January 2015 after 15 years at the organisation, including time as both a Director and Deputy Chief Executive. He has extensive strategic experience of shaping care and support services, including the acquisition and integration of several specialist subsidiaries into a group structure.
Chris has more than 25 years’ experience working in housing and social care, including research and campaigning on behalf of the National Housing Federation and in new business, policy, and communications for two London housing associations. Chris has an unwavering focus on safeguarding, compliance and governance, and a strong personal commitment to championing the integration of care and support, health, and housing on a national level. He has previously chaired the National Housing Federation’s Supported Housing Providers Forum and sat on their National Care and Support Advisory Group.
He became a board member at housing and care provider, GreenSquare Accord in 2022. In February 2023 he joined the board of VODG (Voluntary Organisations Disability Group).
Chris has more than 25 years’ experience working in housing and social care, including research and campaigning on behalf of the National Housing Federation and in new business, policy, and communications for two London housing associations. Chris has an unwavering focus on safeguarding, compliance and governance, and a strong personal commitment to championing the integration of care and support, health, and housing on a national level. He has previously chaired the National Housing Federation’s Supported Housing Providers Forum and sat on their National Care and Support Advisory Group.
He became a board member at housing and care provider, GreenSquare Accord in 2022. In February 2023 he joined the board of VODG (Voluntary Organisations Disability Group).
Kevin Obi
Board member
Kevin Obi is a senior executive and adviser to Private Equity funds and their portfolio companies.
Previously, he was MD for Growth at Worldremit (a venture capital backed Fintech unicorn in international payments), Global Chief Operating Officer of Hive (a subsidiary of Centrica) and Senior Vice President at NBC Universal. Kevin has also held senior roles at Cable & Wireless, Orange and Deloitte.
Kevin holds a Master’s degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Leeds and an MBA from Cranfield. He is Chair and Founder of NIDSG, a charity that delivers mental health and maternal and child health interventions to support victims of conflict and medically underserved populations in Africa. He is also a Board Adviser at EcoSync and Lumorus.
In 2020, Kevin was named by the Financial Times in the top 100 UK BAME executives in the UK tech sector.
Previously, he was MD for Growth at Worldremit (a venture capital backed Fintech unicorn in international payments), Global Chief Operating Officer of Hive (a subsidiary of Centrica) and Senior Vice President at NBC Universal. Kevin has also held senior roles at Cable & Wireless, Orange and Deloitte.
Kevin holds a Master’s degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Leeds and an MBA from Cranfield. He is Chair and Founder of NIDSG, a charity that delivers mental health and maternal and child health interventions to support victims of conflict and medically underserved populations in Africa. He is also a Board Adviser at EcoSync and Lumorus.
In 2020, Kevin was named by the Financial Times in the top 100 UK BAME executives in the UK tech sector.
Stephen Firn OBE
Board member
Chair of Look Ahead's Quality and Safety Committee
Stephen joined the Look Ahead Board in June 2020.
He joined the NHS in 1981 and has worked in clinical, research, education, and management roles. Stephen began as a mental health nurse and the care and treatment of people with mental health problems and learning disabilities has been a consistent thread throughout his career. He was Chief Executive of Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust in South East London for 14 years.
Stephen has also worked in national policy advisory roles at the Royal College of Nursing and the Department of Health. Between 2017 and 2020 he was Director of the Provider Collaborative Programme at NHS England. He received an OBE for services to healthcare in 2015.
In addition to his role at Look Ahead, Stephen is a Non-Executive Director/Deputy Chair at Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust and Chief Executive Officer at Cygnet Health Care Ltd.
He joined the NHS in 1981 and has worked in clinical, research, education, and management roles. Stephen began as a mental health nurse and the care and treatment of people with mental health problems and learning disabilities has been a consistent thread throughout his career. He was Chief Executive of Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust in South East London for 14 years.
Stephen has also worked in national policy advisory roles at the Royal College of Nursing and the Department of Health. Between 2017 and 2020 he was Director of the Provider Collaborative Programme at NHS England. He received an OBE for services to healthcare in 2015.
In addition to his role at Look Ahead, Stephen is a Non-Executive Director/Deputy Chair at Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust and Chief Executive Officer at Cygnet Health Care Ltd.
Kevin Gould
Board member
Chair of Look Ahead subsidiaries – Blythson Ltd and Kingswood Care Services Ltd
Kevin is a Chartered Accountant with 25 years’ experience in financial services, focusing on governance, risk, and audit. Following a degree in Economics, Kevin joined Ernst & Young and has since worked for banks and consulting firms in Hong Kong, the UK, and Qatar. He later obtained a Masters in Sustainability & Environmental Management, a topic he remains passionate about.
Kevin is now an independent consultant, providing advice on governance and assurance, most recently with a focus on ESG (environmental, social and governance), sustainability and climate change. Kevin is also the director and a shareholder at Sharpthorne Services Ltd, vice chair of the Bar Standards Board’s independent decision-making body, and an internal audit consultant at the European Bank of Reconstruction & Development
He serves as a board member at Legal & General Affordable Housing too.
Kevin is now an independent consultant, providing advice on governance and assurance, most recently with a focus on ESG (environmental, social and governance), sustainability and climate change. Kevin is also the director and a shareholder at Sharpthorne Services Ltd, vice chair of the Bar Standards Board’s independent decision-making body, and an internal audit consultant at the European Bank of Reconstruction & Development
He serves as a board member at Legal & General Affordable Housing too.
Jo Ellis
Board member
Jo Ellis joined Look Ahead’s Board in September 2024. She brings 35 years of experience working in the social housing sector to the organisation, from customer-facing, to executive and chief executive roles, as well as lived experience. Jo has since taken this experience to the board room with a portfolio of non-executive director roles, including Non-Executive Director of Southdowns, and an Audit and Risk Committee member at Orbit. In addition Jo runs a coaching and training consultancy business.
Helping individuals and organisations to be the best versions of themselves, and ensuring that customer voices are listened to motivate her every day.
Helping individuals and organisations to be the best versions of themselves, and ensuring that customer voices are listened to motivate her every day.
Richard Jones CBE
Board member
Vice Chair
Richard has worked in executive roles in the NHS and local government commissioning, delivering a wide range of health and care services. He was Executive Director for Adult and Community Services for Lancashire County Council and has also worked as a senior civil servant in the Department of Health and in a senior role in NHS England.
Richard is a social worker with experience of both child and adult services. As President of the Association of Adult Social Services, he was involved in developing the Think Local Act Personal partnership across social care, which he chaired for its first 18 months.
Richard chairs the Nominations Committee of Shared Lives Plus, serves as chair of Syncora Ltd, and an independent chair of Leeds Safeguarding Adults Board. He is also a Non-Executive Director at Calico Group, and Fairoak Housing Association.
Richard is a social worker with experience of both child and adult services. As President of the Association of Adult Social Services, he was involved in developing the Think Local Act Personal partnership across social care, which he chaired for its first 18 months.
Richard chairs the Nominations Committee of Shared Lives Plus, serves as chair of Syncora Ltd, and an independent chair of Leeds Safeguarding Adults Board. He is also a Non-Executive Director at Calico Group, and Fairoak Housing Association.
Sharon Slotnick
Board member
Chair of Look Ahead's Remuneration Committee, and Tenant and Landlord Panel
Sharon has worked in specialist legal and crime units in government since 2003, and also sits as a London magistrate in Adult, Family, and the Crown Courts.
Sharon developed the first national anti-violence, university-based Youth Corp under “AmeriCorps”, in partnership with The White House (under President Clinton) and numerous US Higher Education Institutions. This addressed violence and positively impacted young people in 26 local communities.
Until recently she was Vice Chair of a North London housing ALMO, where she helped to develop and build the first new social housing for 20 years. She also helped to establish and chaired the Performance Advisory Group (PAG), which formally engaged social housing tenants in decision-making about their homes and communities. Sharon later became Chair of a trading company within the same group and was able to help drive the Board through to Registered Provider status with the Homes and Communities Agency. This enabled the development and building of affordable properties in the borough.
Sharon developed the first national anti-violence, university-based Youth Corp under “AmeriCorps”, in partnership with The White House (under President Clinton) and numerous US Higher Education Institutions. This addressed violence and positively impacted young people in 26 local communities.
Until recently she was Vice Chair of a North London housing ALMO, where she helped to develop and build the first new social housing for 20 years. She also helped to establish and chaired the Performance Advisory Group (PAG), which formally engaged social housing tenants in decision-making about their homes and communities. Sharon later became Chair of a trading company within the same group and was able to help drive the Board through to Registered Provider status with the Homes and Communities Agency. This enabled the development and building of affordable properties in the borough.
Anne Copeland
Board member
Anne is a chartered surveyor and impact specialist with an executive career spanning thirty years focused on the launching and day to day running of real estate investment funds for institutional investors seeking market return and positive demonstratable impact (purpose). She served most recently as the Head of Institutional Capital for Newcore a specialist social infrastructure real estate and impact manager. Her areas of specialism are housing, health, and education having started her executive career with Schroders in 1995.
She holds a post graduate non-executive diploma from the Financial Times and has a BSc first-class honours degree in Land Management from Reading University. Anne is within the FCA’s Senior Managers and Certification Regime and is active in local community charities. Most recently Anne completed the CFA in Impact Investing.
She holds a post graduate non-executive diploma from the Financial Times and has a BSc first-class honours degree in Land Management from Reading University. Anne is within the FCA’s Senior Managers and Certification Regime and is active in local community charities. Most recently Anne completed the CFA in Impact Investing.