Latch staff | Latch - Leeds action to create homes

James HartleyCEORead Bio
James HartleyCEO
James originally trained as a bricklayer and is experienced in all areas of construction. He joined Latch in 1998 and has worked in a number of roles, undertaking a wide range and duties during this time: support work, volunteer management, repairs and maintenance, fundraising, financial management etc. His current role is Chief Executive Officer which he became in 2011. This involves the development and implementation of Latch’s strategic objectives and overseeing the operational delivery of Latch’s services. The principal service areas are, the provision of a housing and support to homeless people, the refurbishment of long term empty properties and the delivery of training and volunteering programs for young people. The current strategic focus is on the development of new properties to create additional homes for Latch tenants. This involves the obtaining of finance from a range of sources and property refurbishment project planning. James is a trustee for Newground Together and Leeds Community Homes.

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Joe BrownProperty Development ManagerRead Bio
Joe BrownProperty Development Manager
Before working for Latch Joe had a career with a wide range of experience mainly within the construction industry, these jobs ranged from joinery with large national housebuilders as well as small businesses fitting kitchens and making bespoke furniture, shopfitting, steel erecting, fence erecting as well as running his own floor laying business. He joined Latch in 2012 as a Refurbishment and Training worker and began working with volunteers on the refurbishment of empty properties, his other roles over the years at Latch have seen him oversee the volunteer programme, he’s been the Refurbishment Team Leader looking after a programme of refurbishments as well as managing his team of operatives. His current role involves management of the programme of works, his team and implementing the retrofit of insulation into our properties. Joe has always been very ‘hands-on’ getting his tools out and getting stuck in with the team where he can and has an eye for detail and likes to see a high standard of quality from his team’s work.

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David PittsProperty Services ManagerRead Bio
David PittsProperty Services Manager
David is a qualified Joiner/Carpenter and is also experienced in all aspects of property maintenance. He joined Latch in September 2010 as a Property Services Worker, being part of a small team, undertaking day to day repairs, void and refurbishment works.

His role changed in January 2020 to Property Services Manager. His role now involves managing the property services team, overseeing the responsive repairs, voids and compliance and the moving in of new tenants into Latch properties.

David also gets involved in purchasing of new properties for Latch and Connect Housing to develop the properties into family homes.

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Sue BurgessBusiness Support ManagerRead Bio
Sue BurgessBusiness Support Manager
“ I’m the Business Support Manager for Latch, which means I make sure everything that goes on in the background runs smoothly. I’ve worked all over the world, doing things as varied as banking, running a travel agency in Germany, running a restaurant and bar in the Canaries, and most importantly, many years supporting and helping small businesses to grow and thrive, whether as part of a Local Authority team, or as a business consultant. I have two grown up children, six grandchildren and my dog Tillie, who between them keep me very busy in my spare time!”

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