Jim McShane - Chief Executive
Jim is an Institute of Housing Chartered Member and has 30 years’ experience in the social housing sector at a local, national, and international level. Jim holds a BSc (Hons) Degree in Housing Management & Policy from the Ulster University and a Level 7 Diploma in Leadership & Management from the Institute of Leadership and Management.
In 2017, having previously served 3 years as Director of Operations with Ark Housing, Jim was appointed Chief Executive with a remit to transform the business and to take the lead in delivering our ambitious long-term plans.
Director of Property Services
Ross has over 20 years experience in the Construction industry across both the public and private sectors. During his time in private practice Ross was involved in numerous social housing schemes throughout Northern Ireland for various Housing Associations.
Ross holds a number of qualifications from QUB ( BSc Architecture, BArch and PGCert) and has undertaken further studies and qualifications with NEC, ICE and RICS.
Ross is qualified as an Architect and worked in private practice for a number of years followed by working in Building Control and then leading up a Project Management Office again in the private sector.
Ross is a Chartered Architect on the Architect’s Register with the Architect’s Registration Board, a Chartered Member of the Royal Institute of British Architects and a Fellow of the Association for Project Management. Throughout his career Ross has held a number of voluntary and board roles and is a current member of the Northern Ireland Building Regulations Committee and chair the Fire Safety Sub Group.
Ross’s responsibilities includes development, maintenance, adaptations, improvements and compliance.
Laura O’Dowd - Director of Housing
Laura has over 20 years social housing experience at an operational and strategic level. During her career, Laura has had experience of working in frontline housing as well as within the tenant participation and community development sector.
Laura has been Director of Housing with Ark Housing Association since June 2018 and prior to that held the position of Support Services Manager with Supporting Communities since 2014.
Laura holds a BSc (Hons) Degree in Housing Management & Policy and in 2018 obtained a Level 7 Certificate in Leadership through the Institute of Leadership and Management. Laura is a current member of the Chartered Institute of Housing and has recently been appointed as a member of the CIH NI Board.
John Mc Vey - Director of Finance & Corporate Services
John has over 25 years’ experience working in the private and Not-for-Profit / Charitable sectors. He took up the role as Director of Finance and Corporate Services in Ark Housing in September 2023 and had previously been Director of Finance with the Archdiocese of Armagh for over 20 years. He started his accounting profession working in PricewaterhouseCoopers LLp before moving into the Not-for-Profit / Charitable sector.
John is a Chartered Accountant and is a current Fellow member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Ireland.