Introducing Clive Shaw, our new Chair of the Board

As we begin Leathermarket JMB’s 30th anniversary year—our Diamond year—I’m pleased to introduce myself as the new Chair of the Board.

 

Thirty years is a real achievement and a testament to the residents who came together to create a better, more direct way to manage their homes. The Tenant Management Organisation they established remains committed to providing a service that is personal, local, and rooted in the community—something a remote, call-centre model could never truly replicate. Like any organisation, Leathermarket JMB hasn’t always got everything right, but we are here to listen, learn, and improve—and we are committed to delivering the best service we can for every resident.

 

I have lived in a Leathermarket JMB home for the past 20 years. Five years ago, residents elected me as a Resident Director for the Kipling Tenant and Resident Association, and in November 2025 my fellow Board members elected me as Chair. It’s a huge privilege, and I’m incredibly proud to support this unique, resident-led organisation as we continue to move forward.

 

I also want to acknowledge that I’m a new face to many of you. I’m following in the footsteps of the extraordinary Christine Parsons, and I’m deeply aware of the legacy she leaves behind. I’m fully committed to this role and will do everything I can to honour Christine’s contribution and dedication to residents.

 

One of my first duties as Chair was to appoint our new Chief Executive Officer, Abbi Agana. Abbi and I will be visiting each Tenant and Resident Association (TRA) in the coming weeks to introduce ourselves, share how we believe we can get more right, and—most importantly—listen to your concerns and priorities. During this Diamond year, I also hope to meet as many of the original residents who helped campaign for the JMB as possible, to hear their stories and learn from their experiences.

 

This year is about dialogue, connection and progress. Thirty years is a wonderful stretch, but with listening and staying in touch, every day is a learning day at Leathermarket JMB.

 

— Clive Shaw, Chair of the Board