The chair of one of the UK’s leading affordable housing providers has elected to step down from her position, ending her seven-year tenure, which has seen an extraordinary period of growth for the organisation.
Sheila Collins will be stepping down from Stonewater, and be succeeded by Angus Michie, who currently serves on the Board as Chair of Homes and Development Challenge and Assurance Panel, Chair of Stonewater Developments Limited and Chair of Stonewater Commercial Limited.
During her time as Chair, Sheila has driven the highest standards of Governance (G1) for the organisation, and maintained a strong financial performance despite widespread economic challenges. Her tenure also oversaw six completed mergers and acquisitions, and the delivery of nearly 5,500 new homes.
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Before becoming Chair, Sheila held committee roles with Stonewater and its predecessor, Raglan housing association, since 2011. Having signed up for a six-year tenure as Chair in 2019, she extended this for a further year to support the appointment of Stonewater’s new CEO, Jonathan Layzell, in June 2025.
Sheila says: “It’s been a real honour to steer Stonewater’s vision for the customers and communities we serve. I’ve had the pleasure of working with a fantastic Board and Executive team who have so ably navigated some very challenging times. I have every confidence that Angus will continue to build on Stonewater’s strength and success. He has a deep commitment to our social ethos combined with brilliant commercial acumen. I look forward to seeing the organisation continue to flourish in the years ahead and know I’m leaving things in the very best hands.”
Angus is a qualified chartered surveyor with 30 years’ experience in the residential development industry and spent 25 years with the Berkeley Group. As Divisional Chairman of several of the Berkeley Group’s operational businesses across the UK, he has been responsible for a number of the group’s joint ventures, including the Prudential and various local authorities. He is also the Managing Director of SevenCapital, which is a developer of residential and mixed-use communities across London, the Midlands and the Southeast.
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Angus said: “Providing social housing is not simply about building properties and handing over some keys. I firmly believe everyone deserves a home that is designed and built to a high standard, in communities that are wonderful places to live and that enable people to thrive.
“In the current climate, it’s also imperative that every new home is built with sustainability in mind, to reduce our impact on the environment and protect our customers from high energy costs.
“The UK’s housing crisis is as compelling as ever. Sky-high private rents, economic pressures, the basic cost of living and job and fuel insecurity all create immense strain for families across the country. Sheila has always been committed to ensuring that Stonewater is part of the solution and while she’s set a very high bar to follow, I’m committed to using my time as Chair to provide as many people as we can with a place where they can feel safe, secure and proud to call home.”
Sheila will officially step down on September 30, with Angus assuming the role of Chair from October 1.
