Paragon executive management team

Our Executive Management Team are:

Dilip Kavi is the Group Chief Executive of Paragon Community Housing Group
He has had directorships at several other associations for a period of ten years, and previously held senior roles with the housing regulator. He joined Jaguar plc as a graduate trainee and progressed to the Executive role, and after 12 years with Jaguar he then joined Inchcape plc, an international conglomerate, for three years before moving into the housing industry. Dilip is a Fellow of Chartered Institute of Management Accountants and a Master of Business Administration.

Marion Hall BA, Dip. Housing Studies – Corporate Services Director
Marion joined Paragon in May from Sovereign Twynham Housing Association, where she was Managing Director. Previously Marion had a long career at the Housing Corporation, where she was Regional Director for several years in London (North-West), and then the South-East Region.

Chris Whelan, Group Business Development Director
Chris has a BSC in Construction Management. He has 30 years experience in both the private and social sectors in working on commercial and residential development. Chris has 20 years experience with Paragon and its subsidiaries.

Ian Watts, Managing Director of Richmond upon Thames Churches Housing Trust
Ian has a BSC Hons degree and a MA in Housing Studies. He is also a corporate member of the Chartered Institute of Housing. Ian has over 20 years experience in Housing Management which has included experience in the private sector and three social landlords. Ian has worked at Richmond Churches Housing Trust / Paragon for over 15 years.

Jane Bolton, Managing Director of Elmbridge Housing Trust
Jane has a BA (Hons.) degree in Urban Studies and is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Housing. She was a Member of the CIH National Council in 1992 to 95 and has served as a Board Member in two RSLs. She has worked in housing for 30 years including as Head of Housing Services for a Surrey authority. In her last position she undertook a comprehensive Management Development programme for senior managers and also took an advanced coaching course.

Lesley Hobley Group Finance Director FCCA
Prior to working in Housing Lesley has worked in the House building, Pharmaceutical and business information sectors. Lesley joined A2 Housing in Sept 2007 and became Group Financial controller of the merged entity A2Dominion in Oct 2008. Lesley joined Paragon in January 2010 as Assistant Group Finance Director and became Group Finance Director in November 2010. Lesley is responsible for the Finance and IT departments and heads up the Value for Money Group.