Directors Team
Chris O’Meara
Chief Executive
Responsible for the overall running of Cadwyn and working with the Board to devise the strategic direction of the organisation.
Chris’s career began as a housing trainee in Liverpool. She came to Cadwyn in 1991, and her passion has been to provide customer focused services and added value to the communities in which we work. Chris was Chair of Community Housing Cymru (our representative body) from 2004 to 2007 at the beginning of a period of rapid change for the housing sector. Between 2008 and 2011 she was seconded on a part time basis to advise the Deputy Housing Minister in the Welsh Government on housing issues. She has won a Leading Wales award in recognition of her achievements.
Helen Armstrong BA (Hons), PG.Dip Housing, MBA
Director of Housing and Community Services
Responsible for everything to do with housing management including customer enquiries, lettings, tenancies, dealing with anti-social behaviour, community engagement, supported housing and CanDo Lettings.
Helen joined Cadwyn in 2000. She has more than 20 years’ experience in a variety of housing roles from housing officer to policy development and management, in a Local Authority and in the Housing Association sector. Helen was involved in Welsh Assembly Government’s Private Sector Task and Finish Group to inform the homeless strategy and in Cardiff she chairs Cardiff Council’s Accommodation Sub Group addressing homelessness. She is also the Chair of Community Housing Cymru’s Housing Services Forum. Helen has a post graduate housing qualification from the University of Wales and in 2011 was awarded an MBA from Cardiff Business School.
Andrew Bateson BSC(Hons), MRICS
Director of Technical Services
Responsible for everything to do with the buildings we own and manage including development, repairs and maintenance and Cadwyn Works our maintenance team. He is also responsible for Calon Residential Leasing.
Andrew has worked for Cadwyn since 1994. He is a chartered surveyor and has been involved in the construction industry for over 30 years working for national contractors, consultant practices and for Tai Cymru. He has a breadth of knowledge and experience having worked specifically in the housing sector for over 18 years in a wide variety of projects including new housing schemes, commercial property development and the restoration of buildings of historical interest.
Sarah Cole BSc (Hons), FCCA
Director of Finance & IT
Responsible for the smooth running of the back office functions including finance and IT.
Sarah joined Cadwyn in December 2008. With experience in auditing and company accounts in the music, steel working and semiconductor industries she moved into the social housing sector in 2000. Keenly enthusiastic about the sector she has been working with Community Housing Cymru on several projects. She enjoys working at Cadwyn where she has the opportunity to be creative with modelling the many ideas for developing the business.
