Why Keystone
Our Board is responsible for making plans and setting the direction of the company. This includes taking key decisions and approving our budget and accounts. Their experience and knowledge of the sector means we have an excellent base to secure new opportunities and expand further.
Meet our board members:
Gabriel Behr - Chair
A chartered account with more than 20 years’ experience – 15 of which have been spent in Chief Financial Officer roles – Gabriel joined the Board in 2019.
Having previously worked as Group Finance Director at a media and technology company, Gabriel has also worked in Australia’s construction industry and the green energy sector.
In 2016, Gabriel became Chief Financial Officer at direct-let student accommodation provider Liberty Living, where he oversaw a significant growth in its portfolio.
Most recently, he has been involved in a real estate start-up in the emerging Co-Living sector.
Pat Brandum
With more than 30 years’ of working within the housing sector and local authorities across the Midlands, Pat, former Chief Executive of WM Housing Group, brings a wealth of knowledge to the Board.
Pat was instrumental in establishing the original West Mercia Housing Group in 1998 and oversaw the growth of the organisation through a series of mergers and new home developments, over the following 17 years.
In 2013, Pat won the Lifetime Achievement Award, at the Women In Housing Awards.
Julie Doyle
In less than three years as Chief Executive of Longhurst Group, Julie Doyle has ensured a strong platform for future success by reshaping the organisation, achieving considerable value for money savings and delivering substantial growth.
With over 25 years' experience in the housing sector, Julie remains committed to ensuring the Group continues to realise its ambition of being a leading developer that improves people’s lives by providing high-quality housing and care and support services.
Since becoming Chief Executive in 2015, Julie has overseen a significant period of change that has included the 2017 merger with Axiom and the streamlining of 19 different boards and committees into one coterminous structure.
During Julie’s tenure, the Group has maintained G1V1 status, returned record financial results and built over 800 new properties. Julie has also been instrumental in guiding the Group to adopt a more aligned approach that sees over 1,200 colleagues work together as ‘One Team’ with ‘One Vision’.
Jim Patman
With a career in the housing sector spanning almost 40 years, Jim brings a wealth of experience to the Committee.
Chairman of the National Housing Federation’s East Midlands Development group for nearly a decade, Jim served as Executive Director for Development at East Midlands Housing (EMH) Group for 18 years before his retirement in January 2018.
During that time, he was responsible for running a £45m annual capital programme and overseeing the development of around 400 homes every year.
Having worked for four separate housing associations throughout his career, Jim has a firm belief that decent affordable housing is key to helping people build their lives and improve their opportunities.
Jenny Brown
Having joined Grant Thornton UK LLP as a Graduate Trainee in 1999, Jenny went on to spend almost 20 years with the organisation, latterly as a Director in the not for profit team, leading on housing. Jenny brings a passion for the housing sector and diversity and inclusion.
Jenny now blends a number of roles including being a part time Director at Altair Limited working on governance assignments with boards across the housing sector, providing coaching to a wide range of people, facilitating learning and development – especially in the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion space – and as a director/trustee on a number of small organisations.