Our People

Phil Geller

CHAIR

Phil has always had a passion to improve people’s lives in the community. He has a wide range of experience in both the public and private sector. He is the founder and managing director of a Salford-based property company. Prior to that, he was finance director of a recycling firm for over 20 years. Phil was a governor of a Jewish school and worked as both a trainer and social worker for local authorities in the northwest. Phil was appointed chair of the MJHA in September 2023.



Outside of work he loves travel, reading, walking and amateur dramatics.

Phil says he has been impressed by the quality housing services MJHA offer. He feels lucky to be part of such a vibrant and dynamic association. “Together I really believe we can make a difference.

Jane Blank

VICE CHAIR

Jane has been a board member of the association since 2021 and thoroughly enjoys every aspect of what we do. Jane’s aim in joining the board was to make a difference – to provide good quality housing and support to those in need.

This mirrors Jane’s working career – for 25 years she worked in local government in a range of social care positions providing support to adults. In 2009 I moved to Pannone solicitors as their health and social care consultant focussing on those who have suffered serious, life changing injuries.

Away from work Jane also enjoys travel both within the UK and abroad. Closer to home her interests also include gardening, reading, classical music and theatre.

Jillian Josephson

Board Member

Jillian has been a board member of the MJHA since 2017. Jillian’s motive for joining the board was to give back to the Manchester Jewish community who have welcomed her with open arms since she relocated from Belfast over 20 years ago.



There is also a synergy with Jillian’s profession – Jillian is a Real Estate Partner in an international law firm and works in the field of housing and real estate. Jillian has a particular interest in residential property and has seen first-hand the need for housing in the local area.

Outside of work Jillian has a husband and a young son and enjoys trips back to Belfast to relax and recharge, and can be regularly found enjoying the Lytham coast in her spare time.

Natalie Hurst

Board Member

Natalie, a seasoned housing solicitor, brings 27 years of legal experience to her practice. While she has worked across various legal domains, housing law has been a consistent thread throughout her career and has become her primary area of expertise in recent years. Currently, she is deeply involved in housing litigation, representing Registered Social Landlords and Local Authorities.



Her legal journey began in 1997 when she joined a specialist housing firm in Manchester, where she handled both property and litigation matters for 18 years. In 2015, she transitioned to a Chorley-based firm specializing in housing litigation, which was later acquired by Capsticks in 2018—a prominent national firm renowned for its public sector work and growing housing division.

Before specializing in housing litigation, Natalie spent several years working on conveyancing and commercial property transactions, ranging from acquiring single properties for Housing Associations to navigating complex commercial sites. Today, her focus is on litigation, actively participating in court proceedings, and contributing to marketing and business development efforts.

Motivated by a desire to apply her skills and housing law knowledge for the community’s benefit, Natalie applied to join the board. Recognizing the unique needs of the Jewish Community, she advocates for a specialist Jewish organization to effectively serve these requirements. Her vision is to see the Association strategically evolve, making informed decisions to adapt to the ever-changing needs of the community.

John Moritz

Board Member

John has been a Board Member of MJHA since 2012. He follows in the footsteps of his father, who was the Housing Association’s first Chairman setting it up in the 1960’s.

John is a retired solicitor with expertise in planning law and development.

He has gained a lot of experience in social housing matters and was heavily involved, on Behalf of the Board, in the joint development project with Agudas Housing that became Copeland Close.



During his tenure on the Board he has seen a period of positive change and MJHA emerge well-skilled with a new CEO and Board Members to face the challenges of the future.

John thoroughly enjoys volunteering in the community and making a difference to peoples’ lives. Serving on the Board has offered that opportunity.

Away from MJHA his time is divided between his family, particularly seeing his grandchildren growing up, and other voluntary interests.

Derek Blank

Board Member

Derek is a Chartered Accountant who has worked for over 30 years in housebuilding with Bellway Homes Ltd as Finance Director in the North West. Latterly, as a P/T FD with Hassett Homes Ltd helping the MD/Owner to create a new North West housebuilding company.



I am also a trustee of a small charity, Jewish Small Community Network. I am now retired and enjoy playing bridge, playing the violin, watching MUFC and being with my grand children.

Stephen Pressman

Board Member

Stephen has over 40 years experience working in the Manchester property market providing advice to a range of private and public sector clients. He has been involved with several social organisations continuing his family tradition of community involvement. He hopes this experience will contribute in some small way to continuing the important role the MJHA has played in serving the community over many years.

Richard Elton

Board Member

Richard has been working as a valuation surveyor for over 15 years and carries out valuations throughout the North West for a variety of different purposes including loan security, taxation, pension funds and asset valuations. He values all property types including commercial, residential and going concern valuations as well as commercial and residential developments.



Richard has been a board member of the association since 2018 bringing his surveying and property experience to good use in a social context.

A proud Liverpudlian expat, Richard lives in Manchester but hasn’t forgotten his roots from a social or footballing perspective. At the weekend he’s most likely to be found managing one of several of his children’s football teams and he is also a dedicated member of his local Shul, serving at executive level.

Alan Tinger

Board Member

Alan Tinger is an experienced lay leader in the Jewish housing sector, having previously served as the Chair of the Liverpool Jewish Housing Association (LJHA). In that role, he was been instrumental in providing affordable housing solutions to the Jewish community in Liverpool. Under his guidance, LJHA has worked closely with local partners to deliver outstanding services and accommodations to its tenants.

In November 2024, Alan played a pivotal role in the merger between LJHA and the Manchester Jewish Housing Association (MJHA), resulting in the formation of the North West Jewish Housing Association (NWJHA). This strategic alliance aims to share resources, expertise, and best practices to create a more sustainable future for residents across Greater Manchester and Merseyside. Alan emphasized the importance of partnering with an organization sympathetic to LJHA's community connections, stating that MJHA's openness and understanding would help maximize this opportunity. 

Beyond his contributions to Jewish housing, Alan has been involved in other community initiatives. He has served as the chairman of the Merseyside Jewish Housing Association and has been a former president of a synagogue, demonstrating his commitment to the broader Jewish community. 

Alan's leadership and dedication continue to have a lasting impact on the Jewish communities in Liverpool and Manchester, ensuring the provision of quality housing and fostering a sense of belonging among residents.