About Unitas
We deliver with pride, professionalism and reliably in everything that we do
We are collaborative trusted professionals
We are passionate about making a positive difference to our community
Proud to be part of Stoke-on-Trent
We are dedicated to making a positive impact in our community
Unitas, the city council’s repair and maintenance company, carries out repairs and maintenance for more than 17,500 homes and approximately 600 public buildings across the city. We maintain and improve our stock through planned investment and efficient maintenance.
Unitas has a strong workforce of more than 450 employees delivering several services across all business areas, striving to provide our customers with the highest standards of service. We work with our tenants and partners to create a positive local impact and to bring improvements and opportunities for our communities.
Mission statement
Re-letting
Vision statement
To create a positive local impact and provide opportunities within the communities that we operate.
Our community is important to us
We are dedicated to offering continuous support through:
Our aim is to complete repairs in a timely manner
Estate improvements, special projects and fire safety
We value all feedback from our customers
Strategic Priorities
We have six strategic priorities which are:
1. Understanding our asset base
2. Working with our customers
3. Enhancing the asset value through investment
4. Ensuring cost effective and efficient service delivery
5. Compliance with statutory obligations
6. Adding local social value
Meet our board
Councillor Edwards was in the transport industry for 29 years having started his own business at 19 years old.
He became a franchisee of FedEx UK operating out of Leek covering the Staffordshire Moorlands and the High Peak district of Derbyshire.
Councillor Edward’s patch was one of the smallest in the UK portfolio but the most profitable in % terms with a strong emphasis on excellent customer service and customer retention which translated into strong yields.
The business was sold to FedEx Inc. in March 2014 and he invested in a number of properties for private rental and student accommodation. Again, he took pride on providing excellent service and a warm welcome to his tenants especially the young people that came to North Staffordshire to carry out their studies.
He joined the council having been elected in May 2019 and was surprised and honoured to be asked to join the Cabinet by The Leader of The Council shortly afterwards. Councillor Edwards is still on a very steep learning curve but continues to enjoy the challenges the role presents. He hopes his previous experience makes a positive contribution to the residents of the City.
Noted for her real passion for people she’s often described as having a “sharp commercial mind AND a big community heart”; Julie is a Chartered Accountant with over 25 years’ public and private sector Executive leadership experience in the UK and wider European Region. 12 years as Chief Financial Officer including Section 151 officer at both Unitary and District council levels, and Housing Associations. Julie’s career focus has been in applying risk balanced commercial practice in high quality, social value driven business settings to drive successful growth.
Nicky is an accomplished Executive Director with over 25 years’ experience in local government centred around delivering improved outcomes for local communities, through taking a commercial approach to meeting needs through the use of council companies, regeneration and housing, traded services and better market management and procurement.
Nicky has a passion for people and place which started with her first degree in Geography and subsequent MSc in Environmental Strategy. This has played through in her career transforming frontline services in housing, environment, customers and digital.
In 2018 Nicky became Enfield’s first Commercial Director, with responsibility for driving value from over £400m of third party spend, investment of over £200m into companies and a traded portfolio of £25m.
Nicky brings independent thinking to the board from a range of perspectives having represented the shareholder, commissioner, and lender during her career.
The early years of Nic’s career were founded in the construction industry, gaining a HND in construction and MCIOB in his early 20’s. Experience gained centred on social housing and private sector new build.
In 1980 Nic joined Manchester City Council managing the maintenance and programme works for 15000 properties. His local government experienced grew with roles at Wigan Council and Stockport Council.
In 2006 Nic became the Managing Director to the newly launched Solutions SK Ltd., a Stockport Council trading company delivering services including highways, street lighting, property maintenance, grounds maintenance, catering, cleaning, security and in 2007 waste and recycling services.
Taking retirement in 2013 Nic formed his own company supplying support and consultancy to local government working with APSE, Wakefield Council, Southend Council, Cheshire East Council – ANSA Ltd., Orbitas Ltd and TSS Ltd and Peterborough City Council. He also offer mentoring and coaching to senior managers and Boards. Nic is a Trustee for Stepping Stones Project, Rochdale, a charity supporting young people exiting the care service at 16.
Nic is delighted to have been appointed to the Unitas Stoke-on-Trent Ltd Board and look forward to helping the Board and Company thrive in the future.
Laura Carter
As a two-time Keele University graduate, and current PhD candidate, Laura has an extensive award-winning career in the Voluntary and Community Sector (VCSE) within Stoke-on-Trent Her research focuses around the experience of raising children within the urban environment, exploring topics such as parenting, digital technologies and austerity with a passion for supporting mothers in the city. Laura founded her own charitable organisation just before lockdown and through this organisation she has supported families in Stoke-on-Trent, preventing them from reaching crisis point and making their lives a little bit brighter. She is an active support to other charitable organisations in the city and works as a fundraising officer and bid writer, helping other organisations to raise much needed funds.Born and bred in Stoke, Laura’s family have had a deep connection with the city with her grandfather working on the railway tracks in and around the city, many members of her family, including both parents, working in local pot banks, and her brother being the first and only Poet Laureate of the city. This has created a passion for Stoke-on-Trent and the people within it.
Laura is one of the councillors for the Moorcroft and Sneyd Green Ward and was successfully elected in 2023. She decided to become a councillor in response to the cost-of-living crisis and the increased pressure on social organisations due to continued government cutbacks and austerity.In her spare time, Laura loves to escape to the Peak District for long hikes with her husband, two children, and dogs, and loves nothing more than being outdoors.
Steve Watkins
Steve Bartholomew Watkins is Stoke-on-Trent through and through! Born and raised in Abbey Hulton, Steve grew up in the house next to his Grandparents and was a regular congregant at St Johns Church. Having attended Our Lady and St Benedict Junior School in Abbey Hulton Steve then went to Archbishop McIntyre High School in Birches Head. He completed an Engineering Apprenticeship at GEC Stafford before his career took him to Royal Doulton in Baddeley Green where he worked until its’ closure. In addition to his work, Steve also acted as Union Rep for CATU (The Ceramic and Allied Trades Union).
Steve retrained at this point and completed a Joint Honours Degree in Graphic Design at Staffordshire University, followed by a Post Graduate PGCE in Education. He worked firstly as a self-employed Graphic Designer and then as a Garden Designer. Steve has also served as a TA Reserve Infantry 2 Mercian for the past 6 years.
He is now semi-retired and was elected as Councillor for Abbey Hulton in May 2023. Steve has been married for 40 years and has 2 grown children and a granddaughter whom he adores spending time with.
Work for Unitas
Staff and teams at Unitas are experts within their field and offer a professional, supportive and responsive working environment.
Meet the Senior Leadership Team
Stephen Garner
Director of Unitas
Neil Macleod
Head of Governance, Policy & Performance
Mark McGill
Head of Planned, Mechanical & Electrical
Martin Heath
Head of Repairs & Maintenance
Richard Mottram
Head of Finance
Carl Talbot-Davies
Head of Asset Management & Investment
