What we do.
Building for the future
Building on the regeneration of Kibblesworth, including art and play schemes across the estate, Keelman Homes has continued to develop new rented properties across Gateshead. During 2014 family homes were built at:
- Nugent Row, Felling
- Strathmore Road, Carr Hill
- Kirkwood Gardens, Heworth
- The Lonnen, Ryton.
In 2016, Heddon Close, Ryton, welcomed its first residents. 2017 saw our development of homes for affordable rent completed in West Park, Dunston. As part of a 2015-18 new build programme, Keelman Homes is planning new homes in Runhead Estate, Ryton and Malton Green, Harlow Green.
Looking for a new home?
Our affordable rent homes to let will be advertised through the Tyne and Wear Homes lettings scheme. To find out more about joining the scheme visit The Gateshead Housing Company's website. Homes are also made available for shared ownership and the government's 'Help to Buy' scheme.
Housing management services
We provide housing management services to Housing Associations with properties in Gateshead and manage over 130 new build properties on behalf of Thirteeen Housing Group across the borough. Through the Empty Homes programme we and Gateshead Council work with private home owners to bring homes which have been empty for more than six months into use. These properties are leased from the owners for a minimum period of five years and are then let on fixed-term tenancies at affordable rents. Under this scheme we manage over 20 properties across Gateshead and we are actively looking to identify further empty properties with Gateshead Council to bring back into use.
Our Board.
Brian Kelly – Board Chair of Keelman Homes
Brian was Head of Housing Services at Gateshead Council until retirement in 2004, and has been our Board Chair since our inception in 2009. He has served on a number of Housing Association Boards and is now Vice-chair of Governors at a Primary School, having been Chair for ten years.
Joanne Carr – Board member
A former Director of Business Development at National Energy Action. She has extensive knowledge of energy-efficiency matters and has been a member of Keelman Homes' Board since 2010.
Anne Connolly – Board member
Anne started her housing career at Gateshead Council and has over 28 years' experience in housing management, regeneration and strategy. She currently works for a local ALMO and has been on Keelman's Board since 2009.
Paul Foy – Board member
Board Chair of The Gateshead Housing Company and a town and local councillor in Birtley since 1992. He works as an Office Manager for a local MP and also has 15 years' previous experience as a housing professional.
Jason Wylie - Board member
Jason is Assistant Director - Commercial at Your Homes Newcastle (YHN), having worked in social housing since 1992. Jason oversees all commercial development for YHN and has operational responsibility for two large services that operate throughout the UK.
Neil Bouch - Company Secretary
Neil has been our Company Secretary since December 2018. Neil has worked for The Gateshead Housing Company and Gateshead Council since 2001. He is currently Interim Managing Director at The Gateshead Housing Company.
Meet the Team.
Anne-Marie Pearce - Development and Operations Manager
Anne-Marie joined Keelman Homes Ltd in June 2019 bringing strong commercial acumen and project management skills. She holds a BSc (Hons) in Architectural Technology and her career so far has been focussed on new build housing in both the private and public sector. Anne-Marie’s achievements include successfully leading on design and securing planning permission on a major housing development in Gateshead and coordinating the delivery of several major housing developments across the North East for a national house builder. As Development and Operations Manager Anne-Marie manages the company’s day-to-day operations and leads on implementing the organisation’s vision and strategic plans with the aim of locally delivering and managing more affordable homes.
Jim Charlton - New Build Manager
Jim started his career with Gateshead Council in 1982 as a craft apprentice and has subsequently gained over 30 years of experience in the construction industry. He has held several key management roles both with Gateshead Council and The Gateshead Housing Company including Senior Building Surveyor, Procurement Manager, and Contract Administrator. Jim has been integral to the successful delivery of quality housing provision and other housing investment within Gateshead, including the award-winning Kibblesworth Village housing regeneration scheme and several other developments throughout his career, in partnership with private house builders and other delivery partners. Jim also holds qualifications including BSc (Hons) Construction Management, Professional Chartered Membership of the CIOB, and a Diploma in Home Inspection.
Yasmin Ellis - Development Support Assistant
Yasmin joined Keelman Homes in August 2018, bringing a passion to help, build and succeed. In her previous position as a Senior Case Handler of the investigation of fraudulent sales, she embraced additional roles such as Inclusion and Diversity Ambassador and Communications Representative. She also holds three years of charity fundraising experience, completed while studying for her BA in Social Sciences. With a focus on successful project completion, Yasmin provides all aspects of administration in connection with the delivery of planned new build and refurbishment programmes.
Lorna Longstaff – Trainee Accountant
Lorna began her career in finance when she joined The Gateshead Housing Company in 2011, to work within the Accountancy Department. She has since gone on to become AAT qualified and began studying a CIMA qualification in January 2018. Lorna began working with Keelman Homes in November 2018 as Trainee Accountant. She provides financial support and advice in relation to the viability of potential new build and refurbishment programmes and ensures current programmes run to budget. She also prepares financial reporting information for senior management and the Board and is responsible for all financial aspects of the day-to-day running of the business.
Mark Banks – Finance Manager
Mark joined The Gateshead Housing Company in 2005 after graduating from Northumbria University with a BA (Hons) degree in Business Studies. He joined as a Trainee Accountant and became a CIMA qualified accountant in 2008. Following qualification he moved into a Management Accountant role. In 2011 he moved into the Finance Manager post which he currently occupies. Mark has had various roles in providing financial support to Keelman Homes since it was established in 2009. Mark currently provides support and guidance to the trainee accountant and provides strategic financial advice to the management team and board.