About us

Owen has led social sector organisations for more than 20 years, specialising in growth, innovation and organisational change. He came to UK Cohousing Network with experience of living in housing co-operatives and ecovillages, which sparked a long-standing interest in community-led housing. A Clore Social Leadership Fellow and Winston Churchill Fellow, Owen has researched housing innovation in the UK, Australia and the United States. As Chief Executive, he works to increase awareness of cohousing and support the growth of the sector across the UK.

Dan has built a successful career in the international technology sector and brings extensive commercial and business experience to UKCN. Alongside his professional work, he has a longstanding interest in sustainable housing, environmental issues and cohousing. He lives and works in London and is passionate about expanding awareness and access to community-led housing models.

Gary is a senior external affairs and communications leader with more than 20 years’ experience across the mutual and financial services sector. He has led media relations, public affairs and stakeholder engagement programmes for major organisations, helping to build reputation, influence policy and communicate social purpose. He has a strong interest in community-led housing and the role it can play in creating more connected and resilient communities. Gary brings expertise in strategic communications, influencing and partnership-building, and is passionate about supporting the growth of cohousing and raising awareness of more community-focused approaches to housing.

Frances is Head of Community Partnering at TOWN, where she supports emerging and established cohousing groups through codesign, governance, stewardship and community-building. She became interested in cohousing during the development of Oxford Cohousing and later joined Cambridge Cohousing’s K1 project, moving to Marmalade Lane in 2018. Previously a Director of HR and Governance for a national learning disability charity, Frances brings extensive experience in governance, organisational development and participation, alongside first-hand experience of living in a cohousing community.

Jenny has been involved in cohousing for more than a decade. Following a visit to a cohousing community in Canada in 2011, she became active in both Still Green Cohousing in Milton Keynes and Cohousing Woodside. She currently lives at Marmalade Lane in Cambridge and is a future resident of Still Green, an over-50s cohousing community. Jenny brings first-hand experience of both established and emerging cohousing communities and is a strong advocate for creating more opportunities for people to age well in connected, supportive neighbourhoods.

Savannah is a speaker, researcher and author of Beyond the White Picket Fence. As a Churchill Fellow, she visited more than 50 intergenerational communities across Australia and the United States, exploring themes including inclusion, affordability and conflict resolution. She works as a Senior Innovation Consultant and Service Designer, facilitating systems change across health, nature and local economies. Drawing on a background in health policy and politics, Savannah is passionate about the role of social infrastructure in supporting individual and collective wellbeing.

Barbara has been involved with Cannock Mill Cohousing since its inception more than 15 years ago and played a leading role in establishing and growing the community. She has served as Chair, helped secure major funding and contributed to areas including governance, finance and community-building. Before retiring, Barbara worked in community economic development and was Chief Executive of a third-sector organisation. She brings extensive experience of community-led change and a deep understanding of the practical realities of creating and sustaining a cohousing community.

Neil is Chair of the UK Cohousing Network and has been involved with the organisation for more than a decade. A qualified architect with over 20 years of experience, he has worked on housing projects ranging from individual homes to large-scale residential developments. Alongside his role with UKCN, Neil is Associate and Head of Technical at Apt Architects, where he leads on technical design, building performance and regulatory compliance. He is a passionate advocate for sustainable, community-led housing and believes residents should play a greater role in shaping the places they live.

Julian has worked in construction, sustainability and housing innovation for almost 40 years across the private, public and charitable sectors. He is currently Programme Director at the Good Homes Alliance and Chair of Bridge Farm Cohousing in Oxfordshire, a rural cohousing community combining retrofit, conversion and new-build homes. Throughout his career he has championed sustainable development and better housing outcomes. Julian brings expertise in environmental performance, housing delivery and sector leadership, and is committed to expanding opportunities for cohousing across the UK.