Paul Wilkinson, manager
Our manager and our longest serving employee. Paul has been with CHAC since we opened in 1991.
John wightman, chair
John became a Trustee in 2023, and has since become chair. He has recently retired from being an academic at the University of Kent, where his roles included being Head of Kent Law School.
His involvement with CHAC was prompted by the vital role of its advice services in supporting individuals and families in obtaining and retaining decent housing - at a time when the cost of living crisis has worsened the already parlous state of housing provision after over a decade of austerity.
vice-chair
Currently vacant.
Viv Gambling, Company Secretary
Vivien is a solicitor at Kent Law Clinic at the University of Kent, undertaking casework and also teaching law students. Vivien has a particular interest in housing law including homelessness law, and has campaigned for changes in the areas of housing law, legal aid and access to justice.
TERESA PEARCE, treasurer
Teresa joined CHAC in 2024 and is now the Treasurer. Before she retired she worked as a Tax specialist for one of the big 4 accountancy firms before going into politics in 2010. Teresa has a deep interest in housing issues and believes that without decent, stable housing families’ life chances are blighted.
nick jackson, trustee
Nick has been a CHAC trustee for many years and used to chair the Management Committee. Before retiring, he taught at the University of Kent and became involved with CHAC through teaching land law and housing to a number of ex-members of staff.
Tessa o’sullivan, trustee
Tessa has worked in the homelessness and social housing sector for over 20 years and has been a Trustee of CHAC since October 2017. She became a Trustee through her desire to support CHAC. Tessa believes CHAC provides an invaluable service to people in housing need and at risk of homelessness. Tessa previously worked at CHAC for 10 years so knows first-hand how much the service is needed; unfortunately the current housing crisis means that need is increasing.
Sarah Slowe, Trustee
Sarah joined CHAC as a Trustee in March 2019. Sarah is Assistant Director, Academic Strategy, Planning and Performance at University of Kent. She has a background in writing grant applications and regularly uses these skills as a CHAC trustee. A lover of challenges, that may be sometimes be linked to fundraising activities, Sarah is chief coffee drinker and likes to talk (a lot).