Meet the team
Our funding
NewArch Homes is supported by long-term investment from social impact investors who want to deliver energy efficient, high quality affordable homes in the UK. Our investors range from Local Government pension funds (some of whom ask us to deliver new homes in their part of the UK) to charitable endowments.
Governance
Our independent Board of Directors ensure that the strategy and performance of NewArch Homes supports our social impact objectives and complies with all relevant legislation and regulation. They are experienced housing sector professionals whose role is to protect our affordable homes, manage risks and ensure customers receive the best value for money from NewArch.
The Board
Elizabeth Austerberry
Independent Non-executive Chair
Elizabeth is Chair of NewArch Homes and is a Non-Executive director at NHBC. Prior to this, she worked as the CEO of Moat Housing, a major housing association covering London and the South East, and as a Board Member of the National Housing Federation. Elizabeth has a wealth of experience from across the affordable housing sector as well as from various senior roles across real estate banking and finance.
As Chair, Elizabeth guides NewArch with independent oversight, strategic guidance and governance assurance.
Sara Thomson
Independent Non-executive Director
Sarah is the CEO of Richmond Housing Partnership in South West London. She has held many senior roles in Housing Associations and previously led Eurostar’s customer service operations. Sarah is also the Chair of HACT – a non-profit think tank that drives social value creation within the housing sector by connecting providers and communities through insight and collaboration.
Sarah provides operational expertise and strengthens NewArch’s ability to shape services around our customers.
Sarah Thomas
Independent Non-Executive Director
Sarah is the CEO of Richmond Housing Partnership in South West London. She has held many senior roles in Housing Associations and previously led Eurostar’s customer service operations. Sarah is also the Chair of HACT – a non-profit think tank that drives social value creation within the housing sector by connecting providers and communities through insight and collaboration.
Sarah provides operational expertise and strengthens NewArch’s ability to shape services around our customers.
Kevin Beirne
Executive Director
Kevin leads the Octopus Capital retirement living investment activities. He previously spent 15 years as Executive Director at One Housing Group (a leading Housing Association) leading Housing Care & Support.
Kevin supports the board in offering specialist expertise and ensuring NewArch meets regulatory, strategic and governance requirements.
NewArch team
Jack Burhnam
CEO
Jack joined NewArch in 2022 from Thrive homes, a Housing Association where he was Executive Director leading on Growth & Investment. Jack has previously served on the Board and as Chair of other housing associations, in addition to leading affordable housing divisions of several major housebuilders.
Jack provides strategic leadership to deliver high-quality, affordable housing and lasting community impact.
Georgia Kriby-Watt
Operations Director
Georgia leads on regulatory compliance and portfolio operations. Georgia is an RICS Chartered Surveyor and has a BSc in Real Estate from the University of Reading. Georgia spent eight years leading the For-Profit Registered Provider subsidiary of Build to Rent investor, Grainger plc. Prior to that, she was a Rural Estate Manager specialising in income diversification and renewable energy.
Georgia leads the overall delivery of high-quality housing operations, ensuring management partners provide excellent, customer focused services for residents.
Catherine Short
Finance Manager
Catherine has a MSc from the University of Leeds and is a qualified Chartered Accountant (ICAEW) from PwC in 2025. She has previously worked in Islamic finance at BLME and in investment and real estate audits at PwC. Catherine now specialises in affordable housing.
Catherine is responsible for allocating capital to affordable housing investments that generate long-term social impact.
Lauren Gill
Asset Manager
Lauren focuses on new investment opportunities, portfolio and asset management and funding lines. She has extensive experience working in real estate investment and real estate debt.
Lauren oversees the long-term quality, safety, and performance of our homes, ensuring every property is maintained to high standards for the communities we serve.
Jessica Bennet
Compliance Manager
Jessica drives improvements to the processes and systems that strengthen assurance and deliver high-quality operations for residents and partners. Jessica has developed deep expertise across residential property and specialises in continuous improvement. Today, she uses that background to scale processes and the operational framework of NewArch.
Jessica ensures all management partners provide homes and services that meet regulatory and safety requirements while continually reviewing and improving the processes behind how we work, strengthening assurance and resident safety.
Imogen Howell
Investment Associate
Imogen supports the origination, evaluation and execution of affordable housing investments. She holds a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Nottingham and an MSc in Real Estate from the University of Greenwich. Imogen is a Chartered Surveyor.
Imogen focuses on new investment opportunities, often working in partnership with other housing associations who accelerate the delivery of affordable housing in the UK.