Thames Valley

Ed Bowen IRRV (Hons)

Current Position:  Housing Benefit Manager, Runnymede Borough Council

Ed has been in Local Government for 40 years, having worked for Slough Borough Council, the Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead and Chiltern District Council.

He has worked in Rates, Community Charge, Business Rates, and Council Tax Council Tax, System development and project delivery before leading the Benefits team at Runnymede  Borough Council in 2019.

Ed was elected a Corporate Member of the IRRV in 2001 and served for two years on the London & Metropolitan Executive, he joined the TVA Executive in 2009 and is Education Secretary and a past president.

Ed is also a co-opted member of the IRRV Benefit Faculty Board, and examiner for Introduction to Welfare Benefits  Level 3 Certificate.

Any spare time is taken up by running and scuba diving, though not at the same time.

Click here to email Ed

Emma Newcombe IRRV (Dip)

Current Position:  Revenues Team Leader - Southwark Council

Emma has been working in Revenues for 15 years. Her career began at Worthing Borough Council where she was a Bailiff/Property inspector assistant. Emma worked for Reading Borough Council 2004-2018 where she was responsible for Council Tax Billing and Licensing, Consumer Protection, HMO and Environmental Health administration. In September 2018 Emma joined the Debt Collection Team at Southwark Council where she is resoponsible for Council Tax recovery and management of the internal Enforcement Agents.

Emma completed her IRRV Technician in 2008 and her Diploma in 2013.

When not at work Emma enjoys spending time with family and friends. She also enjoys travelling and socialising. Emma is known to partake in a drink or two.

Phil Adlard IRRV Tech, MIoL, MCMI 

Phil has been a member of the IRRV since 1992, and previously served on the executive committee for the London & Home Counties Association from 2000 to 2008 spending the last year in the role of Association Secretary. He is also a former member of IRRV Council, serving from 2008 to 2015 and also served as Chair of the Benefits Faculty Board from February 2009 to May 2011.

With a wealth of experience in Local Government covering General Rates, Community Charge, Council Tax, Housing Benefits and Business Rates, he is now an Associate Director at Colliers in their Accurates Division.

Linda Callaway IRRV (Hons)

Current Position:  Product/Business Analyst Manager for Revenues and Benefits, Anite 

Lynda's career has always been with Local Government either working directly or for private companies dealing with the public sector. Her main area of expertise is Benefits.

Lynda has been a previous committee member for the Thames Valley IRRV association and is pleased to see, and be involved in the re-launch of the association.

When Lynda is not working she regularly trains as a competitive swimmer for Bracknell Swimming Club.  A great stress buster!

Click Here to email Lynda

Helen White FIRRV

Helen has been a member of the IRRV since 1995. She joined the executive committee of the London and Home Counties Association as a student member in 1998 and was elected as a corporate member in April 2000 having fully qualified for the IRRV. Helen was active on the executive committee until 2006 and during that time served as Student Liaison Officer and Meetings Secretary on behalf of the Association. Helen’s experience with the Association and the Institute has involved giving presentations at IRRV meetings, seminars and conferences.

Helen’s career began in Local Government in 1992 at Chiltern District Council where she worked for over 12 years in Revenues and Benefits before moving into the private sector and joining leading software provider IBS OPENSystems as a consultant and trainer on the Revenues/Benefits Software. In 2008, Helen joined Newlyn Plc, and is currently Assistant Director, Sales & Marketing. 

Leisure time is largely taken up by running and coaching (or coaxing!) others to do the same and also enjoying time with family and friends.

Click Here to email Helen

Kirsty Brooksmith IRRV Tech

Current Position:   Income & Assessment Manager – Reading Borough Council

Kirsty has been working in the Revenues and Benefits world for over 23 years now.  Kirsty has worked at Reading Borough Council for just over 20 Years.  Her career began at Scarborough Borough Council where she started as a Housing Benefit Assessor, then had a short stint at Wandsworth Borough Council just as Community Charge came in.  Kirsty moved to Reading Borough Council in the summer of 1993 as a Customer Service Advisor. For the last 8 years she has been responsible for Revenues, Corporate Debt and a Post Office at . From February this year Kirsty became responsible for the Benefits Service too, which also incorporates elements of Licensing and Residential Care and Non Residential Charging assessments.

Kirsty completed her IRRV Technician in 1992

When not at work Kirsty enjoys spending time with family and friends and walking her two border terriers Flash and Pickles. Kirsty is also known to partake in a drink or two with her Executive Member Emma.