Our people
The Senior Leadership Team are responsible for developing, monitoring and leading our mission and values. As a team they make sure we achieve what we’re passionately committed to delivering – ‘Providing sustainable homes with specialised support and compassionate care’.
Between them, they have a wide range of backgrounds and experience from both the public and private sectors. Here’s a bit more about them.
Joy Malyon, CEO
Joy Malyon brings a unique mix of experience and heart to her role as Chief Executive Officer. With a background spanning social housing, care and support services, business consultancy, strategic planning, and organisational development, she has built a career rooted in community impact and meaningful change.
Holding an LLB in Law and qualified in Leadership and Management at all levels, Joy combines academic insight with hands-on leadership experience. Her career reflects a deep and ongoing commitment to building inclusive communities where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.
Joy has held a range of senior leadership positions across the housing and community sectors. Since 2019, she has served as a Trustee of Sturts Community Trust, acting as Chair of the Housing Committee, where she supports adults with learning disabilities through housing, care, and work opportunities. In 2020, she founded Joy Malyon Consultancy Limited, working with organisations to enhance their housing services and strategic direction.
Joy previously served as Consultant Director with Independent Housing UK and continues to contribute her expertise as a Non-Executive Director and Consultant with Humbercare Limited. She also continues to serve as CEO of IHL, further demonstrating her dedication to inclusive, community-focused housing solutions.
Joy is a strong advocate for collaboration and is deeply committed to listening to the voices of the people and communities her work supports. As CEO, she is leading the Housing Association into a new chapter—focused on delivering high-quality homes, supportive services, and stronger, more connected communities.
Suzanne Smith, Director of People
Suzanne joined the Pivotal Group in June 2018. After completing graduate and post graduate qualifications in Law, Suzanne chose to pursue a career in Human Resources due to a keen interest in employment law and a passion for employee engagement and development. Suzanne has over 25 years’ experience working in HR management at various levels and locations across London and the South West of England. Suzanne’s previous role prior to joining Pivotal was as a multi-site HR manager for a large retail organisation where she gained substantial experience in all aspects of HR and change management. In her role as Director of People Suzanne is responsible for HR, talent management and change. She also oversees internal communications, data protection and policy.
Nick Heckford, Director of Finance
Nick is an experienced Chartered Management Accountant (ACMA) supporting our Senior Leadership Team and operational colleagues. An effective and committed team member providing accounting expertise and analysis with a high degree of business awareness.
Nick has previously worked with Hall & Woodhouse and Sainsbury’s delivering finance insight. He is also a Trustee for a local church and Treasurer for Poole Town Cricket Club.
Iszara Monk, Director of Business Development
Iszara has over 18 years’ experience in the care, support, and housing sector, having worked across the NHS, the private sector and other housing associations. This diverse background provides her with a broad and insightful perspective on the opportunities within the housing sector.
As Director of Business Development at Pivotal, Iszara leads on identifying, assessing, and delivering growth opportunities. She has played a key role in building and developing partnerships with care and support providers, as well as local authority commissioners.
Iszara is passionate about delivering high-quality, bespoke services for the customers that Pivotal supports. She is committed to maintaining and strengthening the strategic relationships that drive Pivotal’s growth.