Sophie Atkinson

Executive Director of Governance

Sophie Atkinson serves as the Executive Director of Governance at GreenSquareAccord, a prominent UK housing association formed from the 2021 merger of GreenSquare and Accord. In this capacity, she oversees governance, risk and assurance, health and safety, and data protection. Under her leadership, GreenSquareAccord regained its G1 governance rating from the Regulator of Social Housing, reflecting compliance with governance standards. However, her tenure has also been marked by controversies, including the organisation's use of legal actions perceived as Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPPs) to silence resident criticism.​

Professional Background

Atkinson is a qualified solicitor and a Fellow of the Chartered Governance Institute (FCG). Her career in the housing sector includes senior roles at:​

  • Catalyst Housing: Director of Governance and Compliance, where she managed legal strategy and board development during a significant merger with Aldwyck Housing.​

  • Sanctuary Group: Director of Governance and Legal Services, overseeing community investment and sustainability initiatives.​

  • Homes and Communities Agency (now the Regulator of Social Housing): Early career experience providing insight into regulatory frameworks.

This trajectory has positioned her as a key figure in housing governance, particularly in mergers and post-merger integration.​

Governance Responsibilities

At GreenSquareAccord, Atkinson is responsible for ensuring compliance with legal and regulatory standards. She leads the organisation's response to inspections, audits, and reports to the Regulator of Social Housing. In January 2025, the Regulator narrowly reaffirmed GreenSquareAccord's G1 governance rating, indicating that the organisation meets governance requirements. This followed a previous downgrade to G2 in November 2022, which had raised concerns about oversight and internal controls.​

Controversies and Criticisms

Data Protection Complaint

In 2022, the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) upheld a complaint from a resident who had reported a data breach to GreenSquareAccord. The resident's correspondence, addressed to Atkinson, went unanswered until the ICO intervened, highlighting concerns about the organisation's responsiveness and accountability in data protection matters.​

Legal Action Against Resident Website

Atkinson oversaw GreenSquareAccord's legal attempt to shut down this GreenSquareAccord Resident Support site. The action was ultimately dropped after a County Court judge indicated the case was improperly filed. The organisation incurred all legal costs, and critics viewed the episode as a misuse of legal power to silence dissent.​

Accusations of SLAPPs

The organisation's legal actions against residents have been characterised as Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPPs). In a November 2024 House of Commons debate, MP Siân Berry highlighted the case of myself, a resident who faced legal threats from GreenSquareAccord after speaking out about housing issues. Berry described the actions as attempts to suppress legitimate public interest concerns.​

Post-Merger Challenges and Safety Concerns

Following the merger of GreenSquare and Accord in 2021, GreenSquareAccord faced significant governance and safety challenges. Atkinson acknowledged that unanticipated issues emerged post-merger, necessitating a strengthening of governance and compliance measures. However, her remarks attributing complications to external factors like the Grenfell tragedy and Awaab's Law were criticised as downplaying the organisation's responsibility to address fundamental safety requirements. Critics argue that essential safety checks, such as fire safety, electrical testing, and asbestos surveys, should have been standard practice prior to regulatory changes.​

Conclusion

Sophie Atkinson's tenure at GreenSquareAccord reflects a complex legacy. While she has played a significant role in restoring the organisation's governance rating, her involvement in controversial legal actions against residents and the handling of post-merger challenges raise questions about the balance between regulatory compliance and ethical leadership. As debates about transparency and accountability in the housing sector continue, Atkinson's actions will remain a focal point for both scrutiny and discussion.​

References:

  1. GreenSquareAccord Residents. "GreenSquareAccord and The Risk of Downgrading and the Dangers of Rushed Mergers." ​GreenSquareAccord Residents

  2. Hansard. "Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation." 21 November 2024. ​

  3. GreenSquareAccord Residents. "Data Breach - Update." ​

  4. GreenSquareAccord. "We've returned to G1 status following in-depth assessment by regulator." ​GreenSquareAccord+1Housing Ombudsman+1