John Morris

John Morris

About John Morris

  • Associate

I am a Housing Consultant, specialising in Resident and Community Engagement. I have worked in the Social Housing, Regeneration and Community Development sector for nearly 40 years. I have been a freelancer since 2005 and before that worked for a number of Housing Associations, a Housing Regeneration Company and a Local Authority.

I have worked as an Independent Resident Advisor on many stock transfer and estate regeneration projects and was a Big Local rep for 7 years, a national Community Development initiative.

I am good at working strategically and hands-on with tenants, leaseholders, local activists and landlords. One of my main motivations is being able to develop trusting working relationships with all sorts of different personalities and people from all conceivable backgrounds.

Out of work, I am a regular theatre-goer and I read a lot. I also enjoy most sports, having run and played cricket, tennis and football most of my adult life. My default mode of transport around London is on my bike.

Fun fact: I spend far too much time distracted by solving cryptic crosswords.

Paul Hutchinson Simpson

Paul Hutchinson Simpson

About Paul Hutchinson Simpson

  • Associate

I am an engagement and communications expert with over 20 years of experience. I have worked for councillors, MPs, councils, and most recently, Homes for Lambeth.

I understand the process of developing schemes and know how to take residents through this process and sustain support for change. I have also run social investment programmes linked to regeneration, ensuring residents benefit from the jobs created and improve their digital skills and well-being.

I am personally committed to diversity and inclusion. At Homes for Lambeth, I spearheaded the company becoming a ‘Dyslexia Friendly’ workplace and becoming a ‘House Proud Pledge Pioneer.’

Fun fact: I live in Lambeth and love slow cycling in cities as well as along canals, old railway lines and river banks. I combine this love with coffee by seeking out places to sit, read and listen to podcasts.

Carley Blow

Carley Blow

About Carley Blow

  • Outreach Worker

I have worked for NewmanFrancis for nearly 10 years as part of the outreach team. I have assisted with project administration, community outreach and workshops and general community engagement when a regeneration is taking place, I have supported the local authorities in supporting residents during a ballot process. I am currently supporting on coffee afternoons in two communities that are going through a regeneration where I assist in making sure the residents are armed with the right knowledge to help them make informed decisions about their community. I feel strongly about people empowerment.

Fun fact.
I am a qualified carer, beauty therapies and childcare assistant. I like spending time with my family and friends.

Jodie Stringer

Jodie Stringer

About Jodie Stringer

  • Outreach Worker

I work with NewmanFrancis as part of the outreach team where I engage with the community and support residents during regeneration work this includes sign posting residents to local organisations, supporting residents in numerous ways, writing engagement reports, attending co-design workshops and building strong relationships, I have worked on a vast range of projects while being with NewmanFrancis and always being supported to learn new skills. I also work on RLO projects and administration support on a facilitation project, I currently take minutes and support project workers with project administration.

Fun fact: I am a qualified childcare assistant, I love music and reading and spending time with my family.

Lauren Stringer

Lauren Stringer

About Lauren Stringer

  • Outreach Worker

I have worked with Newman Francis on numerous regeneration projects I’m a part of the outreach team . I support residents and provide support and assistance to residents to enable and empower them to make a change in their community. I’ve recently started supporting in admin on a facilitation project.

Fun fact: In my spare time I enjoying watching true crime documentaries and travelling all over London trying different cultural foods.

Sarah-Jane Day

Sarah-Jane Day

About Sarah-Jane Day

  • Senior Engagement Consultant


I started working for NewmanFrancis in January 2023. Prior to that I have worked in housing management, community engagement and regeneration. I have over 20 years of experience working with communities and building relationships with residents and other stakeholders.

I also have experience of creating resident co-design groups with a real interest in understanding how large-scale regeneration projects can give more power to the people it affects the most.

Fun fact – I am a fully qualified Open City tour guide and enjoy learning about the social history of an area, through the lens of its buildings

Lindsey Stringer

Lindsey Stringer

About Lindsey Stringer

  • Outreach Worker

I have worked with Newmanfrancis for over 7 years as part of the Community Outreach Team I support residents and project workers to get the best outcome for the community. I’ve worked on many projects over the years starting with NDC in the early days, I support and run coffee afternoons in regeneration areas giving residents the opportunity to view the master plans and gather the correct information. During the coffee session we support local vulnerable adults helping them understand the changes they may see in the community.

I am also a qualified hairdresser, but my passion is working with new people and making a difference.

Fun facts: I love listening to music, I have a trainer obsession you would think my bedroom was JD sports! My favourite food is Caribbean.

Mekor Newman

Mekor Newman

About Mekor Newman

  • CIHM MBA
  • Director

I am a skilled housing regeneration and community assets practitioner with over 30 years' experience tackling complex housing regeneration needs at both corporate and grass roots levels.

I have worked at Director level and been involved in several large scale regeneration projects, providing support to local residents and strategic advice to landlords and other stakeholders.

Outside of work I hold several voluntary roles including co-founder and Chair of the Corbett Resident Association. In addition, I have been involved in taking over 2 community assets (a local library and health lifestyle centre) and have been instrumental in setting up and chairing the companies responsible for the running of these community facilities.

Fun fact: I love to dance, listen to music from heavy rock to classical and I am learning to play the piano with my youngest son

Alicia Francis

Alicia Francis

About Alicia Francis

  • BA (hons), PGDip Housing
  • Director

I have over 30 years’ experience in housing and regeneration, with particular skills and expertise in tenant management, training, partnership development and community engagement. Prior to co-founding NewmanFrancis, I was director of the PEP Charitable Trust and Regional Co-ordinator at PEP Ltd.

My commitment is to create communities where people thrive. As a resident in East London I have co-founded a branch of the Women’s Institute, a community garden, a thriving community market and a bee-keeping project. I am also a youth leader and I enjoy developing and leading projects that support young people to develop skills and confidence and contribute to the wider community.

Fun fact: In my spare time I love to read and belong to two book groups. I am also slowly learning to play the guitar, and enjoy going to festivals.

Anita Blow

Anita Blow

About Anita Blow

  • AAT
  • Finance and Administrator Manager

I have over 18 years experience working in the regeneration industry, previously working for a government regeneration programme from 2003 – 2012. My previous roles included Community Development Worker, Grant Manager and Admin/Finance Support.

At NewmanFrancis my main role is a Administrator/Finance Manager as well as occasionally providing support to some of the projects.

Fun fact: In my spare time I love knitting famous people, creating art pieces that are sold locally, upcycling old furniture and crafting.

Howard Mendick

Howard Mendick

About Howard Mendick

  • Senior Project Worker

I have been working in community development for nearly twenty years and have extensive experience in housing, regeneration, developing community arts programmes, community centre management as well as training community groups and Tenant Management Organisations.

After working for a City law firm, I became a volunteer in my local community centre and realised how rewarding a career in community work could be. I have a thorough knowledge of residents’ issues and rights and I also deliver resident advocacy services providing impartial advice and guidance to residents. I started out by volunteering at my local community centre and realised how rewarding a career in community work could be. I joined NewmanFrancis in 2014 after working for 10 years with West Ham and Plaistow New Deal for Communities. The rest is history, as they say.

Fun fact: In my spare time I like to listen to music and attend concerts.

lrundeep Singh

lrundeep Singh

About lrundeep Singh

  • Senior Project Officer

After studying English Literature at the University of Greenwich I joined NewmanFrancis in 2015 as an administrator and I am now a project worker. I have since worked on a range of regeneration and community engagement projects, delivering resident advocacy services providing impartial advice and guidance to residents. I also provide in-house branding and communications support.

Fun fact: I enjoy reading and eating Italian food! Previously, I have volunteered at a local toy library supporting disadvantaged children and families.