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 strategic development, customer experience and delivering positive outcomes for customers, communities, and partners.

Before becoming Chief Executive, Jonathan served as Stonewater's Chief Officer for Growth and Development, leading one of the UK's largest affordable housing programmes, delivering more than 1,000 new homes each year and securing over £350 million in funding from Homes England. He has also led major mergers and acquisitions and held interim responsibility for the Customer Directorate, broadening his experience across both development and customer-facing services.

A passionate advocate for inclusive leadership and place-based regeneration, Jonathan champions affordable housing as the foundation for thriving communities. He continues to play an active role in shaping housing policy and public affairs, promoting innovation, sustainability, and long-term social impact while ensuring Stonewater remains focused on delivering high-quality homes and services for customers across England.

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

James Bradbury

Chief Investment Officer

James is a highly experienced housing and development leader with more than 20 years' experience delivering investment, regeneration, and growth across the housing sector. He brings extensive expertise in asset investment, building safety, housing development, and strategic delivery, helping create high-quality, sustainable homes and communities.

Since joining Stonewater in 2015, James has held a number of senior leadership roles, most recently as Group Director of Growth and Development before joining the Chief Officer Group. He has led complex development and regeneration programmes, working closely with Homes England, local authorities, and strategic partners to increase the supply of affordable housing while shaping Stonewater's long-term investment approach.

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 infrastructure and places that support thriving - sustainable communities for generations to come.

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.