Our management team
Meet the managers that deliver your housing services.
Each member of the team also leads an internal working group to make sure the organisation meets the Regulator of Social Housing's Consumer Standards.
Management team declarations of interest are available upon request by emailing connect2@southtyneside.gov.uk.
Director of Community Operations - Gary Kirsop
Gary has worked for South Tyneside Council and Housing Services for over 36 years, spending his full career with the organisation.
He started as an apprentice bricklayer and was able to progress to his role of Director of Operations in January 2022.
Gary has a passion for delivering excellent customer focused services to residents and works hard at customer engagment to make valuable improvements in the Borough.
Gary attends each of the Consumer Standard Working group meetings.
Head of Housing - Martin Gill
Martin joined in 2021 as the Head of Housing. He has almost 30 years experience in the housing sector working for a range of housing providers.
He has responsibility for a wide range of front-line services including:
- Community Safety
- Customer Service
- Housing Management and Tenancy Sustainment
- Housing Solutions
- Income and Welfare Support
Martin also leads on the Tenancy Consumer Standard.
Head of Asset and Property Services - David Ridley
David has worked for South Tyneside Council and Housing Services for over 15 years.
A Head of Service, he provides strategic leadership and direction in several areas, including:
- asset management and sustainability
- all compliance functions
- responsive and void repairs
- planned improvement programmes
- our new build development programme
He also leads on the Consumer Standard for Safety and Quality.
Senior Manager, Housing Strategy and Regulation - Anna Milner
Anna is responsible for the strategic housing function of the council, which includes:
- the monitoring of the housing market
- strategic homelessness prevention
- development of all statutory housing related policies and strategies
- enabling suitable development in the borough and strategic links with children's services, adult social care and public health.
Anna has overall responsibly for:
- ensuring compliance on social housing regulatory standards
- managing the team that monitors and reports on these
Anna also Chairs the Transparency, Influence and Accountability Standard working group.
Anna has over 20 years experience of working within the housing sector, over 10 of these with South Tyneside Council.
She is a chartered member of Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) and is committed to the continual professional development of both herself and the team to deliver the higher standards to tenants.
James Maughan - Senior Manager - Public Protection
James has over 25 years' experience in Regulatory Services for South Tyneside Council and currently leads the Councils Public Protection Services.
This role brings together the traditional Regulatory Services and broader Community Safety responsibilities.
James has responsibility for the Neighbourhood and Community Standard.