Meet our Chief Officer Group

Jonathan Layzell

Chief Executive

Jonathan is a widely recognised leader in the housing sector, with more than 20 years’ experience driving growth, transformation, and innovation across affordable housing. He brings extensive expertise in customer experience, strategic development and delivering positive outcomes for customers, communities, and partners.

Before becoming Chief Executive, Jonathan served as Chief Officer for Growth and Development, where he led Stonewater’s national housebuilding programme, delivering more than 1,000 new homes each year, and spearheaded major mergers and acquisitions. He also held interim responsibility for the Customer Directorate, broadening his leadership experience across both development and customer-facing services.

Throughout his career, Jonathan has led nationally significant programmes and secured more than £350 million in funding for Stonewater from Homes England. He has championed pioneering initiatives in sustainability, public art, and community investment - helping to create stronger communities and deliver lasting social impact.

A passionate advocate for inclusive leadership and place-based regeneration, Jonathan is a strong champion of affordable housing in rural communities and the role it plays in sustaining local economies, supporting community wellbeing, and enabling people to remain connected to the places they call home. He is committed to ensuring everyone has access to high-quality, affordable housing, regardless of where they choose to live – and, to supporting the long-term sustainability of communities across both rural and urban England.

He continues to play a leading role in public affairs and housing policy, contributing to national conversations about the future of housing, economic growth and the creation of thriving, resilient communities.

Jonathan also serves as a member of the Stonewater Funding Board.

James Bradbury

Chief Investment Officer

A highly experienced housing and development leader, James has more than 20 years' experience driving investment, growth, and regeneration across the housing sector. He brings extensive expertise in asset investment, building safety, housing development, and strategic delivery - with significant experience in leading growth and regeneration programmes – and delivering high-quality, sustainable new homes and communities.

Before joining Stonewater's Executive Group, James served as Group Director of Growth and Development, where he led the organisation's development and regeneration activities and helped shape its long-term approach to growth. Since joining Stonewater in 2015, he has held a number of senior leadership roles, playing a key part in shaping the organisation's approach to investment, housing delivery, and strategic partnerships.

James has extensive experience across the full housing development lifecycle - from land acquisition and planning through to delivery and partnership working. He has led complex programmes and worked closely with local authorities, Homes England, and strategic partners to increase the supply of affordable housing and create places where people can thrive.

Passionate about delivering long-term value for customers and communities, James is committed to ensuring homes remain safe, warm and fit for the future - while investing in the affordable housing and community infrastructure needed to support future generations.

David Ripley

Chief Operating Officer

David is an experienced executive with expertise in both the private and public sectors.

As social housing providers, he believes that customer service, engagement and empowerment, driven by legislation, should be in our DNA. As such, he is a passionate advocate of Stonewater’s commitment to keeping customers at the heart of all we do.

He has responsibility for Stonewater's compliance with the Consumer Standards.

Francesco Elia

Interim Chief Financial Officer

Francesco is an experienced finance leader with over 30 years’ experience across the social housing and real estate sectors.

He has worked at executive level within some of the UK’s largest housing organisations, bringing expertise in financial strategy, treasury, governance, and business planning. Francesco specialises in interim and consultancy roles, supporting organisations through periods of transition, strategic change, and financial challenge.

He is focused on helping organisations maintain stability, strengthen financial resilience, and align delivery with long-term sustainability goals.

Ann-Marie Spencer

Interim Chief Information Officer

Ann-Marie brings over 20 years’ experience leading transformation across social housing, regulated and public sector organisations. She has a strong track record of aligning technology, data and operating models with organisational strategy to improve services and outcomes for customers.

Working at executive and board level, Ann-Marie has shaped long-term strategies, modernised digital and data platforms, strengthened governance and redesigned services around customer needs. Her approach focuses on practical delivery, insight-led decision-making and building resilient, future-ready organisations.

Passionate about social purpose and inclusive leadership, Ann-Marie believes technology should enable people rather than lead them. She is also a Non-Executive Director at Brighter Futures, providing board-level oversight of customer experience and complaints handling.