Senior Management
David Chaffey
Chief Executive
Chief ExecutiveDavid Chaffey has been the Chief Executive of BHT Sussex since 2023. He has worked in the housing sector for more than 35 years in both local authorities and housing associations and his motivation to do so stems from a strong belief that secure housing is transformational to people’s lives.
David began his working life in disability housing before focusing on housing and asset management, and was a Board member of a specialist mental health Housing Association for 15 years from its inception. He has always been passionate about listening to clients and tenants and is a keen advocate of resident involvement as demonstrated in his previous roles as Head of Resident Involvement at a national Housing Association and as Director of Housing and Property Services at BHT Sussex.
He is currently working with his many dedicated and talented colleagues in the organisation to lead BHT Sussex through the next stage of its development as a leading provider of essential services across Sussex.
David is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Housing, holds a degree in Economics and Politics and has a Management Diploma from Roffey Park Institute.
Sunil Desai
Director of Finance & Resources
Director of Finance & ResourcesSunil Desai is a CIPFA qualified accountant, with several years’ experience working in senior finance roles in large, complex and transforming local authorities.
He has specialised in housing finance and enjoys the satisfaction from improving service standards for residents and staff. Sunil has a successful track record, working collaboratively with service managers so they can make informed decisions about delivering value for money at a local level.
In his spare time he enjoys voluntary activities such as the London Ambassador programme, Sports Relief and fundraising activities. He also enjoys managing and coaching a local Colts’ cricket team.
Nikki Homewood
Director of Advice and Support Services
Director of Advice and Support ServicesNikki Homewood is a BHT Sussex Executive Director with responsibility for advice and support services.
Since 2003 she has had overall responsibility for all BHT’s homelessness services, including BHT Sussex's Addiction Services, the Phase One Project, and special projects designed to have a high impact on changing the lives of individuals with complex needs.
Previously, from 1987 to 2003, Nikki worked in and managed First Base Day Centre.
Rachael Kenny
Director of Mental Health and Support Services
Director of Mental Health and Support ServicesRachael Kenny joined BHT Sussex in 2020 as Director of Mental Health and Support Services. Prior to this she worked in NHS mental health services in Sussex for 20 years. She is responsible for all BHT Sussex mental health services, including supported accommodation in Brighton and Mid Sussex, and community mental health support across West Sussex.
Rachael has a Masters Degree in Social Work and is committed to putting client’s hopes and ambitions at the centre of service delivery and development.
Daniel O’Connell
Director of People, Learning and Health and Safety
Director of People, Learning and Health and SafetyDaniel O’Connell is responsible for ensuring strategic objectives are delivered through Human Resource and Learning and Development strategies, policies and processes to optimise employee engagement and maximise employee effectiveness.
Daniel has over 20 years’ experience in local government and associated employers delivering externally accredited services, transformational change management and successful bids for investment in social housing.
Previous achievements under his stewardship include Investors in People, British Safety Council accreditation and Human Resource service accreditation in the Audit Commission inspection report during Hackney Homes Ltd successful bid for £225m investment fund for Decent Homes. Daniel is passionate about championing and inspiring excellence in people and organisation management and development through collaboration, engagement and purposeful services in an evolving workplace.
Jo Berry
Head of Business Development
Head of Business DevelopmentJo Berry joined BHT Sussex in 2000 and has worked in a number of fundraising-related roles within the organisation over the past 20 years.
Jo has strategic input in the development of new business, income generation and in identifying new funding streams. She leads on the preparation of tenders and funding bids and provides guidance on service development, impact measurement and social value.
She has over 25 years’ experience of fundraising and marketing, and has led on a number of successful bids and campaigns, securing funds from the National Lottery Community Fund, European Social Fund, Home Office, Department of Communities and Local Government, and the Heritage Lottery Fund, amongst others. Prior to joining BHT Sussex she worked for a fundraising agency on high profile campaigns for national charities including Greenpeace, YMCA and Friends of the Earth.
Amanda Hand
Head of Health and Safety
Amanda joined BHT Sussex in 2025. She has 17 years of experience leading health and safety in housing associations, social care providers, independent education and aviation. Amanda is a Chartered Member of IOSH (Institution of Occupational Safety and Health) and is an examiner for NEBOSH (National Examination Board in Occupational Safety and Health) in her spare time.
Amanda has a keen interest in the interaction between physical and psychological safety and is passionate about improving the safety, health, and wellbeing of BHT Sussex’s clients, tenants, and employees.
Graham Towse
Head of Asset Management
Graham joined BHT Sussex in 2025 with a background in a variety of sectors and roles including construction and operations across Europe, Asia, and Australasia. For the last 15 years, his focus has been the supported housing sector, managing a £20 million stock acquisition across Kent, Sussex, and Hampshire. Graham is a person-centred and flexible leader who prioritises delivering value and building strong partnerships.
In his spare time, he enjoys the simple things in life; spending time with family and enjoying nature. He also takes great satisfaction in mentoring and coaching young people in amateur boxing.
Paul Goddard
Assistant Director, East Sussex Floating Support
Assistant Director, East Sussex Floating SupportPaul has extensive experience in supported accommodation services for young people and adults with complex needs. He is currently the Assistant Director of our East Sussex Floating Support Service, a key homelessness prevention service.
He has worked for BHT Sussex since 2002, most recently as a Senior Manager for Support Services. Paul is committed to the continuous improvement of services for complex needs clients and the use of psychologically informed practice to support behavioural change.
Paul has a degree in Social Science and Research Methodology and his post graduate studies focused on the impact of problematic substance use issues on individuals and society. Outside of work Paul enjoys physical activities, reading and dancing.
Emma Gould
Senior Manager, Mental Health Recovery and Mid Sussex Supported Housing Services
Senior Manager, Mental Health Recovery and Mid Sussex Supported Housing ServicesEmma joined BHT Sussex in May 2024 and oversees the Mid Sussex Supported Housing and Mental Health Recovery services, which are based in West Sussex.
Emma has over 25 years’ experience in the social care sector and has worked in various management roles, with experience in supported living, assessment and treatment units (private healthcare), community support services, elderly care and mental health services.
Emma is passionate about delivering high-quality, person-centred services to people who require support so they can lead meaningful lives and reach their goals and potential.
After having moved around in previous years with various work roles, Emma values being back in Sussex, and being close to her family and friends again. Outside of work she enjoys gardening, cooking, reading and regularly exercising at the gym.
Brodie Hall
Senior Manager, Support Services
Senior Manager, Support ServicesBrodie started working for BHT Sussex in 2004 as a Support Worker in one of our residential mental health projects; she stayed in this rewarding role for 12 years gaining invaluable experience and knowledge in how best to support people experiencing long-term mental health issues.
In 2016 Brodie became Operational Manager of one of our CQC registered accommodation services (Shore House) where she stayed for 5 years. After this, Brodie took on an 8 month secondment within BHT Sussex, supporting people into employment, education or training and also helped to set up a new service to provide support and information to Ukrainian families in East Sussex.
Brodie now has oversight of First Base Day Centre, the Accommodation for Work Project, the Move On Project and Inform, our client database. Brodie is also a member of BHT Sussex's Brighton Pride Committee and is involved in organising our Parade entry every year.
Brodie has stayed working at BHT Sussex because she very much values the empowering and inclusive way in which we work with people.
Suzanne Hennell
Senior Manager, Advice Services
Senior Manager, Advice ServicesSue has worked for BHT Sussex since 2004, initially as a housing adviser and then as East Sussex Advice Manager.
In her current role she oversees all of our advice services across Sussex, including advice centres in Brighton, Eastbourne and Hastings, and an Immigration Legal Service in Brighton. She has a BA Hons degree from Sussex University in Sociology, which she undertook as a mature student whilst looking after her two children.
Emma Logie
Head of Mental Health Support Services
Head of Mental Health Support ServicesSince 2011 Emma has worked operationally in various mental health settings from supported, secure to community across East London & Sussex. However in recent years she has had a strategic focus on developing community services in Sussex. She is passionate about coproduction and developing new ways of working.
Emma started as an Assistant Manager in our Pathfinder services before moving onto operational and senior management leadership, then starting her current role overseeing our West Sussex Mental Health Support Services contract in 2025. Emma also works within the central transformation team at Sussex Partnership Foundation Trust (SPFT). In this role she helps support the development of Neighbourhood Mental Health Teams across Sussex, ensuring the voluntary sector has input on how they function at every level and promoting coproduction in line with the NHS Long Term Plan.
Simon Treen
Senior Manager, Support Services
Senior Manager, Support ServicesSimon has over 20 years’ experience in working with young people and residential settings for clients with complex needs. He oversees the Phase One project and our Hastings Young Peoples Service.
Simon initially came to BHT Sussex in 2011 having previously worked for a local authority and Ofsted. His strong experience in and knowledge of Care Quality Commission standards, Psychologically Informed Environments and Trauma informed Care enables him to ensure staff and clients are supported to achieve the best possible outcomes.
Away from the work environment, Simon enjoys playing the cajon and physical activities, believing a healthy body supports a healthy mind.
