Our authors
Sally Walmsley Magazine and Digital Editor
Sally is the Magazine and Digital Editor for the NRLA. With 20 years’ experience writing for regional and national newspapers and magazines she is responsible for editing our members' magazine 'Property', producing our articles for our news site, the weekly and monthly bulletins and editorial content for our media partners.
Victoria Barker Communications Officer
Victoria is the Communications Officer for the NRLA.
She is responsible for producing articles for our news centre, the weekly e-newsletter, and manages and creates content for the association’s social media channels. She also contributes to our members magazine, Property.
Ben Beadle Chief Executive
Ben is the Chief Executive of the NRLA.
Prior to taking up his position at the NRLA, Ben was the operations director at Touchstone, part of the Places for People housing group, and was also the managing director of a leading deposit scheme in Northern Ireland. Ben is also a landlord.
Chris Norris Director of Policy and Practice
Chris Norris is responsible for policy and campaigns at the National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA), having held a similar role at the NLA prior to its recent merger.
A private landlord and former letting agent himself, Chris has represented landlords for more than a decade, joining the NLA’s policy team in early 2007.
Before discovering the fun that can be had focussing on the PRS, Chris held a number of inhouse and consultancy public affairs roles focussing on housing, health, and social care.
John Stewart Deputy Director of Policy and Research
John is the Deputy Director of Policy and Research for the NRLA. He has over 20 years experience working in politics, as a successful election agent, MP’s assistant, local councillor and council leader, and is a former charity chief executive.
He oversees NRLA policy work across all levels of government – central, devolved and local – working to ensure that landlords’ views are represented and officials, MPs, Assembly Members and local councillors have key information and evidence about the PRS before they take decisions.
Meera Chindooroy Deputy Director of Campaigns, Public Affairs & Policy
Meera is Deputy Director of Campaigns, Public Affairs & Policy at the NRLA. She joined the National Landlords Association (NLA) in May 2018, having previously worked in both policy development and project management for a range of not-for-profit and public sector organisations. Meera provides political insight both internally and for NRLA members, and lobbies in their best interests. Meera has extensive experience of building partnerships with stakeholders across communities, civil society and government, as well as developing collaborative approaches to policy challenges.
Prior to joining to the NLA, Meera provided policy and engagement support to the chief executive of the Big Lottery Fund, the UK’s biggest community funder. She also developed strategic policy at the General Medical Council, the regulator of doctors in the UK.
James Wood Senior Policy Officer
James Wood, LLB, is the NRLA’s Senior Policy Officer. James has provided legally sound advice to thousands of landlords for over 6 years, along with producing the organisation’s guides and documents and training the organisation’s highly rated advice service.
Tim Thomas Welsh Policy Officer
Tim Thomas is the Welsh Policy Officer for the NRLA. With almost fifteen years’ experience in policy and research roles in local authorities and the third sector, Tim specialises in policy development in the Welsh Private Rented Sector. Tim also leads on the NRLA’s energy efficiency and welfare and benefits policy brief, including lobbying the government on improving the environment for landlords who let to tenants in receipt of Universal Credit.
Calum Davies Welsh Policy & Public Affairs Officer
Calum Davies is the NRLA’s Welsh Policy & Public Affairs Officer. After working in communications and research for a political party in the Welsh Parliament, he moved to the NRLA to promote the work of the Association to members, politicians, and stakeholders in Wales. He ensures they are aware of landlord interests when they legislate and regulate in the PRS, helps run the Cardiff Landlord Forum, and develops policy and organises events for NRLA Wales.
Nick Clay Research Officer
Nick Clay MSc, PgDip is the lead Research Officer for the NRLA. Before joining the RLA, Nick had a successful career working for various consultancy companies, Whitehall departments and academia. He has specialised in business support, promoting entrepreneurship and evaluating labour market initiatives. Nick worked as a Senior Economist for a large multi-national consultancy advising Whitehall and City Regions on major infrastructure projects.
Aidan Crehan Research Assistant
Aidan Crehan is the Research Assistant for the NRLA. He is a politics graduate from Queen’s University Belfast, receiving First Class Honours and the Lemberger-Metrick prize. Aidan has previously worked with Northern Ireland’s Department for Communities, specifically focusing on community cohesion projects.