Homewards welcome three industry leading voices to the programme’s National Expert Panel
Formed in 2023, the Homewards National Expert Panel brought together ten experts from across homelessness and associated areas to play a pivotal role in the programme’s inception, who have continued to steer key moments of ongoing design and delivery. As the impact of the programme continues to expand, so has the National Expert Panel, as we welcome three new voices to influence the future of Homewards.
Chosen for their expertise in a range of areas including housing economics, homelessness prevention, mental health, human rights and criminal justice, Panel members represent all four nations of the UK. The Royal Foundation is pleased to welcome the following industry leaders as they join the existing members of the Homewards National Expert Panel:
Linda Gibbs, Bloomberg Associates
Linda Gibbs is a Principal for Social Services at Bloomberg Associates, a not-for-profit consultancy serving cities globally in achieving their vision in meeting unique municipal challenges. Gibbs served as New York City Deputy Mayor of Health and Human Services from 2005-2013.
Prior to her appointment as Deputy Mayor, Gibbs was Commissioner of the New York City Department of Homeless Services and held senior positions with the Administration for Children’s Services and the Office of Management and Budget. She is also co-author of the 2021 book, “How Ten Global Cities Take on Homelessness”, which takes on one of the most formidable issues facing metropolitan areas today: the large numbers of people experiencing homelessness.
Ben Rick, Social and Sustainable Capital
Ben is the CFO of The Housing Finance Corporation (THFC), the UK’s leading affordable housing aggregator. Ben started his career in mainstream finance, working at investment banks and hedge funds over an eighteen-year period. In 2012 he shifted his focus to UK social investment and co-founded Social and Sustainable Capital (SASC). Under his leadership as CEO, SASC became a leading finance provider for charities and social enterprises, specialising in lending to small and medium sized social and supported housing providers to allow them to grow their housing provision.
Ben stepped down as SASC CEO in 2023 to work with larger capital pools in the UK social housing sector. Before joining THFC, he advised Lloyds Bank on their Social Housing Initiative, focusing on expanding lending to supported housing providers. Ben remains on the Board of SASC and is a volunteer advisor to Crisis where he supports their housing supply strategy.
Rosie Brown, COOK
Rosie joined COOK in 2000 and is co-CEO alongside her brother Edward Perry (Founder). Today, COOK is a growing, award-winning food brand employing 2000 people, with a belief that healthy relationships are the foundation to happiness in work and life. COOK has 105 branded retail stores, 1000+ concession partners, and sell online through an expanding delivery business.
COOK believes in business as a force for good and became a founding BCorporation in 2013. This includes running a RAW Talent programme helping people with barriers to employment back into the workplace. COOK has been a Top 100 Employer for over a decade, and has regularly held the #1 position in the Best Companies “Top Food & Drink Brands to Work” list.
Rosie feels passionately about providing opportunity to those with barriers to employment, and also chairs a National Oversight Board working across UK prisons to support more prison leavers into work.
The Royal Foundation looks forward to hosting the new members at the next convening of the Homewards National Expert Panel, and is ever appreciative of the ongoing advice and challenge members of the Panel provide throughout the development of the programme.
