Our Exec Team

Steve Hepworth, Chief Executive

Steve has more than 30 years’ experience in the social housing sector.

After starting his career as an Income Officer, he held a variety of customer facing and leadership roles before becoming Chief Executive of Ongo in 2018.

He has led the growth of Ongo, increasing the number of homes owned by more than a fifth whilst expanding its impact beyond housing by growing the Ongo commercial businesses, and the Ongo Communities registered charity which includes a recruitment agency and a counselling service. A passionate advocate for tenant empowerment, Steve believes customers should have a key voice in shaping services and decisions. He is also committed to promoting positive mental health, encouraging open conversations, and creating environments where people feel supported to seek help when they need it.

Jo Sugden, Executive Director of Governance and People

Jo became our Director of Corporate and Compliance Services in 2018 having worked for Ongo from the first day it was formed in 2007 (as North Lincolnshire Homes). In fact, Jo was part of the transfer team which led the transfer of homes from North Lincolnshire Council and established the new business.

Jo has responsibility for the following areas: governance, corporate services, health & safety and compliance, equality, diversity & inclusion, customer engagement, strategy & policy, PR & marketing, value for money and procurement, people & culture. Jo is also the Company Secretary and the named person with responsibility for Consumer Standards. She is also the person responsible for Health and Safety. 

Her career began in HR, firstly at North Lincolnshire Council and then at Ongo. Jo is not only a Chartered Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel & Development and Level 5 qualified with the Institute of Management, she’s also a Board Member with Berneslai Homes. When not at work, she can usually be found at the stables with her three horses, or generally enjoying the great outdoors.

Kevin Hornsby, Executive Director of Customer and Communities

Kevin is responsible for the following areas: customer service, lettings, tenancy services including customer support/ enforcement/ income collection/ housing management, complaints and our communities service including Ongo Recruitment, employment support/ training and mental health support. He is also responsible for our two community buildings The Arc and Viking Centre.

His remit also oversees our wider approach to investing £1million per year into local communities. He is also a Board Member and Deputy Chair at Lincs Rural Housing Association.

Having joined the company in 2019, Kevin has worked for many national and local landlords across the North East and Midlands before joining Ongo.

Beginning his career as an Internal Auditor at Gentoo, Kevin became passionate about housing and shortly after became a Neighbourhood Support Officer, taking the step into frontline housing. Kevin now has more than 20 years’ experience in the housing sector and is committed to delivering excellent customer service.

Ashley Harrison, Executive Director of Resources & Commercial Services

Ashley looks after the finance, IT and commercial areas of the business. He has the overall responsibility for the financial viability of the organisation and all financial business planning.

He has vast experience in working in the financial sector and is a member of the Association of Chartered Certified and of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants. He joined Ongo in 2015, initially joining as Head of Finance, before becoming Director of Resources and Commercial Services in 2018 after a short spell as interim Director.

A family man and part-time golfer, Ashley gets a buzz from the great bunch of people he works with at Ongo.

Steve Ellard, Executive Director of Property

Steve joined us in July 2024 as our Director of Property. He has overall responsibility for the following areas: repairs and maintenance, empty homes, planned work and improvements, neighbourhood services, compliance, and developments.

Coming from Director of Assets and Sustainability at Yorkshire Housing, Steve brings a wealth of knowledge in the sector, specialising in strategic planning, investment and environmental sustainability.