Following the retirement of several board members, we are looking for replacements to help us continue our growth.
Chief Executive Steve Warran said with a few current board members reaching the end of their nine year terms, the time is right to bring in new blood. “We’ve had a retirement and a resignation and we will be seeing a few more board members reaching the end of their terms over the next two to three years,” he said.
“We’ve been very fortunate to have some fantastic board members who’ve brought a great deal to White Horse and helped us develop into the successful organisation we are today. Now we are looking for the next generation, who will be leading us into the next decade.”
He said that while having some business acumen will be an advantage, in-depth knowledge of the housing sector isn’t necessarily essential. “Clearly, housing skills and housing experience is good, but some of the most effective board members we’ve had in my time have come from other sectors,” he said. “They bring a fresh perspective and challenge our thinking, which can inspire us to re-evaluate why we do things the way we do.”
He said board members have to commit to attending at least seven monthly meetings per year, which are usually held on a Monday afternoon, with further time required to read agenda papers and prepare for meetings beforehand.
“Our board members play a key role in guiding our long-term vision, ensuring homes remain safe, affordable, and sustainable in line with residents’ needs and regulatory expectations,” he said. “Joining our board would give them the opportunity to directly influence decisions that improve lives and strengthen local communities.
“We have an unparallelled 96 per cent satisfaction rating among our residents and the board is entrusted with ensuring this high standard is maintained. Members of the board make sure tenants’ needs are heard at the highest level, ensuring policies and services are fair, transparent, and customer focused.”
One recently retired board member had wide experience in HR and change management and Mr Warran is hoping to find a new recruit with a similar background. “We are starting to think about how we will look as an organisation in ten years’ time and how we manage that change,” he said. “Someone who has that sort of experience to help guide us through some of these decisions could be very helpful. It’s not an absolute given, but it would be useful.”
Read more about board membership here.
For more information about joining our board, contact us at info@whitehorsehousing.co.uk or call 01380 850916 for a recruitment pack. The pack can also be downloaded here.