Meet the team
Martyn Smith
Managing Director
Martyn is the Managing Director and co-founder of IKE, and has been managing and developing specialised supported housing for over 18 years. He has an HNC and HND in Housing Professional Studies and is a Member of the Chartered Institute of Housing (MCIH) and Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (TechIOSH).
In his spare time he enjoys spending time with his family, walking the dog and exploring our green and pleasant land in his touring caravan.
Julie Smith
Director of Resources
Julie is the co-founder of IKE and is the Company Secretary. Her role as Finance Director changed in 2016 when Alison was prompted to help with growth of the Company. Julie’s current role is Director of Resources; she has many years of managerial experience with in the care sector, managing operations of a group of Nursing and Residential care home companies for the elderly and has also worked on domiciliary care services and schemes for Adults with Autism and Learning Difficulties.
Julie has over 30 years of experience in administration, human resources, accounts, and payroll, this being mainly centred around care, although she also has experience in retail and hospitality. Julie has her own partnership in a bookkeeping and payroll company with Alison and when she is not busy working, enjoys relaxing in her spare time, but loves reading, socialising and walking her dog.
Gwenne Coltman
Chair, Non Executive Director
Gwenne is a Registered Learning Disability Nurse with more than 40 years’ experience in the field of autism and learning disabilities. She additionally has an MA in Professional Learning & Development Management and has been nominated for a Lifetime Achievement Award by the National Autistic Society. She has been a member of the Coalition of Senior Professionals working with People with Autism (CoSPPA) since 1996, currently holding an executive committee seat.
During her career she has been actively involved in the strategic direction of specialist support provision at a national level and has a sound knowledge of developing and providing specialist person centred services, having worked in the voluntary, public and independent sectors. Her experience is extensive, being responsible for managing and directing teams and undertaking the commissioning, tendering and development of projects, as well as being fully involved in corporate selling.
Gwenne’s passion is the rights of people with disabilities, ensuring they are wholeheartedly upheld to make life fairer and more equal for everyone.
She now runs her own business – G.E.M & You, where she offers free advice, training & advocacy to autistic people & their parents and charged consultancy & training to professionals. Her business also incorporates her talents in being a qualified holistic practitioner & positive intuitive healer.
When she does have any spare time, she relishes in spirituality & all things nature, classic cars & motorbikes, music and socialising.
Alison Swallow
Finance Director
Alison has been involved with IKE since 2003, firstly as a bookkeeper, then a Board member, and within the last 5 years as Finance Director. She has her own partnership in Bookkeeping and Payroll which was set up after she completed her AAT diploma in accounting, and she traded as a member in practice for AAT for some time. Alison has always worked in the care sector, as an Accounts Manager for care companies providing residential and domiciliary care in the elderly, Autism and LD sectors, as well has outsourcing services to residential and domiciliary care companies, and a dementia day care centre.
Alison likes to spend her spare time with her family and friends socialising, enjoying walks and gardening.
Paul Ironmonger
Non Executive Director
As well as sitting on IKE’s Board, Paul is a Family Support Worker, working for the Local Authority. His role is engaging with young people and their families to ensure that the young people get positive outcomes from their education providers. He is an active member in his locality. His hobbies include cycling, gardening and he has a number of Koi Carp. Paul also enjoys socialising and drinking moderate amounts of cask conditioned ales.
Michelle Kiddy-Broadbelt
Non Executive Director
Apart from sitting on IKE’s Board as a Non Executive Director, Michelle works as a Policy Governance Manager in the postal services sector, and previously worked in Welfare to Work. She has more than 20 years’ experience in management, quality standards, operational assurance, compliance and policy governance. She holds her Certificate in Education and a Diploma in Management and is currently studying part time for her Bachelor of Laws (Honours) (LLB).
Michelle has previously represented Great Britain in Archery in European and World Championships and was British Champion and a European Championship Team Silver medallist. When she does have any spare time she ‘tries to run’, but mostly enjoys relaxing, socialising with friends and spending time with her Husband.
Erik Hudson
Non Executive Director
Starting as an apprentice just over 10 years ago, Erik entered the world of business at a young age, and has since grown from training as a fire risk assessor, to becoming the Managing Director of a leading fire safety consultancy. Erik is a Member of the Institute of Fire Safety Managers and a Member of the Fire Industry Association.
His company specialises in fire risk assessments, evacuation plans, fire door and fire stopping surveys; they also offer training and advice, while always keeping the safety and wellbeing of occupants and residents as their priority.
Erik has always shown a passion for business, helping people, and is even eager to be in front of the camera after appearing in popular TV shows such as Waterloo Road as a youngster.
In his spare time Erik likes to spend time with his family, going to the gym, and is the Captain of his local pool team. He’s also a keen football fan, supporting Manchester United.
Pete Jepson
Housing Operations Manager
Pete is IKE’s Housing Operations Manager. He has spent the last 18 years working in social housing for SYHA on both the supported living and general needs sides of the business. He specialised in estate management, anti-social behaviour, managing tenancies for sustainability, supported living, rents and income management.
Pete ran a project called Respect for 9 years which won the National Housing Federation Community Impact Award in 2012.
He currently has a Level 5 Diploma in Business Management and Leadership from The Institute of Leadership and Management, and an NVQ Level 3 in Health and Social Care. He is currently working towards a Level 4 Certificate in Housing, through the Chartered Institute of Housing.
Pete enjoys riding his motorcycle, fishing, playing golf, along with family camping with his partner and 2 young children.
Amie Davis
Finance Assistant
Before Amie started working at IKE she worked in retail and completed a Level 3 Public Services course at Barnsley College. However, she realised she wanted to take a different career path and applied for an apprenticeship at IKE. In the 2 years she has worked at IKE, Amie has completed a Level 2 Business Administration apprenticeship, and is now studying towards the Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT) Level 2 qualification including the bookkeeping certification.
In her spare time, Amie enjoys socialising with her friends and spending time with family.
Isobel Smith
Maintenance & Compliance Officer
Izzy started with us on our apprenticeship programme. With a natural flair for numbers and problem solving, Izzy successfully passed the Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT) Bookkeeping qualification, and has now taken on the role of Compliance Officer, taking responsibility for ensuring our homes are as safe as they can possibly be; so our tenants are as safe has they can possibly be.
Izzy is a keen equestrian and has been riding for many years, and competes locally in Show Jumping and Cross Country. Like most horse owners she has little spare time, but when she does, she enjoys spending time with her friends and socialising.
Sarah Weston
Housing Officer
Sarah is our Housing Officer. Before joining IKE, Sarah spent several years building a diverse career in the Residential Property sector, initially working as a Lettings Negotiator for an independent agent in Soho, London, in 2012. Having then gained experience in Sales, Lettings and Property Management in London and Norfolk, she made the move up to South Yorkshire in 2017 and began working for an independent agent. Recently Sarah worked for a Build-To-Rent apartment complex of 229 apartments in Sheffield City Centre, overseeing the initial marketing, lettings, and tenancy management of the complex.
Her passion for property and desire to positively impact lives led her to transition into Supported Housing, where she can combine these interests. Working within Residential Property brought its challenges, but enabled Sarah to develop strong communication skills, efficient problem-solving techniques and a wealth of regulatory knowledge – all of which are invaluable working within the Supported Housing sector.
Outside of work, Sarah is an avid Taylor Swift fan, who enjoys wild swimming, cliff jumping (when safe!) and cooking from scratch whenever she has the time. She also enjoys walking her adorable cockapoo around the local area and rewarding herself with a pint on the way home.