Who We Are

Our vision is to end social exclusion by ensuring that everyone has their basic needs met and is able to thrive by contributing to the richness and wellbeing of their community.

We are driven by our values, which were derived from the Schwartz value survey alongside internal research and consultation with staff. Find out more about this research.

Stimulation

to offer an environment that encourages innovation and creativity to flourish in individuals.

Self direction

to encourage independent thought, action and self respect

Zest for life

in so far as it is not damaging to self, others or the environment, to enable individuals to pursue goals that further their happiness and joy of life.

Flexibility

Underpinning all our efforts is the need to be open, flexible and responsive to change.


Our Team

Rosie Phillips

Rosie Phillips

Chief Executive

Rosie is the Chief Executive and founder of DHI. Having briefly worked in public relations, Rosie was inspired to start working for a London homelessness charity, initially as a volunteer. She became a fundraiser for Cricklewood Homeless Concern, then promoted to Co-ordinator in 1992. In 1996 Rosie moved to Bath to set up and run a project bridging the gap between homelessness and substance misuse. That project eventually became Developing Health & Independence (then the Drugs and Homeless Initiative), a standalone charity, in 1999. Since then DHI has grown to develop a range of services for socially excluded young people and adults. Rosie has a BA Hons, MSc (distinction), with research published in the International Journal of Drug Policy and a number of other publications. She became a Fellow of the Royal Society of the Arts (FRSA) in 2000.

Ben Harman

Ben Harman

Corporate Services & Finance Director

Beth Hendry

Beth Hendry

Operations Director

Clive Lewis

Clive Lewis

Director of Quality and Governance


Our Trustees

The Board

Our Trustee Board is responsible for making sure we are meeting our charitable objectives, that our finances are in good health and that we are working according to the law.

Each year, they approve our Financial Statements and Annual Reports to the Charity Commission.

Our trustees are:

1. Myriam Kniveton (Chair)

Joined: 2021

Consultant with over 30 years of experience in Supported Housing. A strong and consistent leader in the not-for-profit, voluntary, and charitable sectors, Myriam has a proven track record of delivering excellent customer service.

DHI Committees: Housing Committee, Chair of the Board

2. Chris Oliver (Vice-chair)

Joined: 2018

Chris is a qualified solicitor with over 16 years legal experience, having worked in private practice as a corporate lawyer and later in-house at multinational companies such as Mitie, Constellation Software and most recently Mintec Group.

DHI Committees: Audit Committee

3. Tim Marvell, FCA (Treasurer)

Joined: 2018

Current professional role: Interim Finance Director.

Tim is an experienced finance professional, having spent the last 25 years working at Board level in a variety of commercial and industrial organisations. DHI Committees: Chair of the Audit Committee

4. David Ollendorff BSc(Econ)

Joined: 2016

David, now retired, served for over 40 years as a senior manager in housing services for several London Councils. In his retirement, he volunteers in monitoring service provision in a local prison and helps clients with hoarding tendencies.

DHI Committees: Housing Committee

5. Alison Millar LLB DipM

Joined: 2019

Current professional role: Alison, a non-practising solicitor, serves as a presiding justice in the Avon & Somerset family courts and is an Independent Member of the Police Misconduct Panel in Wiltshire.

DHI Committees: Remuneration Committee

6. Oliver Hiller

Joined: 2022

Current professional role: Client Services Director for ManpowerGroup Talent Solutions and has special interests in recruitment & retention, digital innovation, and accessibility of services.

DHI Committees: Audit Committee

7. Bob Goodman

Joined: 2019

Current Professional Role: Fellow of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.

Wide experience in the property area both in respect of repairs and conversions of Listed and modern buildings.

DHI Committee: Chair of the Housing Committee

8. Jo Scammell


If you think that you have skills which would benefit our Trustee Board, then we would love to hear from you. Please email info@dhi-online.org.uk for more information.