Who's Who
Steve James
Following 18 years in Local Authority social work, Steve has been the Chief Executive of Avenues for the past 16 years.
Steve has been a Non-Executive Director of NHS Greenwich for nearly six years and is the Chair of Greenwich Community Health Services. He has an interest in community health services and particularly how they can integrate with social care.
Steve has lived in Greenwich for 25 years and is married with two adult children. In his spare time he plays tennis with enthusiasm, but sadly little talent.
Jayne Kilgallen
Group Deputy Chief Executive
Jayne started her career working with children with disabilities and then spent a number of years in the health service where she was involved with community teams and managing supported housing for people with mental ill health and disabilities. Prior to joining Avenues, Jayne worked for a not-for-profit organisation, managing residential and day services. Jayne is a qualified registered nurse (learning disability) and holds an MBA.
Jayne was employed as Director of Operations for 10 years by Avenues and now holds the post of Group Deputy Chief Executive. She has taken the lead in promoting sports and healthy lifestyles across the organisation which now, among other activities, has a highly successful football team that plays in the South London Special League and have won numerous awards.
Jayne is also the Deputy Chair for the London Disability Sports Forum.
Jo Land
Group Director of Human Resources, Learning & Development & Payroll
Jo started her career in the insurance industry working in a communications team. Following that organisation's decision to relocate to Hampshire, Jo took advantage of the opportunity to retrain in Human Resources, joining a well known mail order company's HR team in 1990 where she was involved in the setting up of one of the largest call centres in the UK at that time.
After working for 10 years in a variety of HR roles in the private sector, Jo joined Avenues in 2000 as HR Manager, taking on the role of HR Director in 2006. Jo is a Chartered Fellow of the CIPD, a member of the Institute of Business Consulting and a member of the Institute of Management.
Diane Walker
Group Director of Corporate Affairs / Company Secretary
Diane has been with Avenues for 14 years, having previously worked in Local Authority and a large Housing Association. As well as taking the lead on Finance, IT and Offices, Diane is responsible for the governance of the organisation and is Group Company Secretary.
Diane holds an Honours Degree and MBA, is currently a JP and recently spent two years as a governor for a local school.
In her career Diane has been the Chair of a local agency for young homeless people and a committee member of a Women's Aid refuge.
