Home Committee Co-Optee Recruitment pack · consultancy providers. Richard manages Greenfields’ Property Services Directorate, which includes Asset Management and Planned Maintenance

Greenfields Community Housing - Co-Optee January 2019 1

Home Committee Co-Optee

Recruitment pack

January 2019



Your application

Thank you very much for your interest in this post. On the following pages, you will find details of the role and the selection process to assist you in completing and tailoring your application. In order to apply you should submit:

An up-to-date CV which shows your full career history – we recommend that this is no longer than three pages;

A supporting statement explaining why you are interested in this role, detailing how you are a good candidate for this post and how you fulfil the person specification – we recommend that this is no longer than three pages;

The declaration form – but completion of the equalities section is not mandatory, this is requested for monitoring purposes in line with our commitment to equality and diversity; and

Indicate on the declaration form if you cannot attend any of the interview dates.

Please note that applications can only be considered if all the documentation is complete. Please send your application, preferably in MS Word format by email to: [email protected].

Applications must be received by Tuesday 5th February 2019 at noon

Please ensure your application is received in good time. If you do not receive confirmation of receipt within 24 hours of sending, please do get in contact. To help avoid your submission being treated as spam, please use a secure email address from which to send your application, and refer to the role and organisation in the header.

Do call if you wish to have an informal discussion about the role and organisation, or if you have any other questions to help you decide whether to apply.

Kind Regards

Kathy Carter

Kathy Carter Senior Consultant 07786 831 690 020 3434 0990

mailto:[email protected]



Contents

Welcome to Greenfields Community Housing 4

About Greenfields Community Housing 5

Executive Team 7

Board Members 9

Role profile 13

Person specification 15

Governance structure 17

Key terms and conditions 18

Key dates and the selection process 19

The media advertisement 20



Welcome to Greenfields Community Housing

Many thanks for your interest in our Board position. This information pack gives you an introduction into Greenfields Community Housing, including our vision, values and our forthcoming strategy.

Greenfields Community Housing was formed in 2007 as one of only four Community Gateway Associations in the country. Our residents are empowered to help make decisions about their homes and the services they receive.

We have always prided ourselves in being more than a landlord. We work with key partners to support our residents to sustain their tenancies and live happily and healthily in their homes and communities.

As 2019 begins, we are approaching the end of our From Good To Great Plan 2015-20, which includes pledges to own and manage 9,000 homes in Essex and Suffolk by 2020, while supporting our residents through the ongoing welfare reforms.

These aims are backed by our extremely healthy finances – the Regulator of Social Housing has awarded us the highest V1 rating for financial viability. In February 2019, we will hear from the regulator whether our Governance rating will be regraded to G1 following an In Depth Assessment in November 2018.

It is no exaggeration to say that there has never been a more exciting time to join Greenfields’ Board. Emma Palmer, our new Chief Executive joined us in October 2018 and in mid-2019 we will launch our next strategy that will see Greenfields embark on a new direction. This is still being prepared, but we know that the Board, staff and residents are united in wanting Greenfields to be an expanding, innovative business that provides homes for those who need them.

We are looking for a Home Committee Co-Optee with the specialist skills, knowledge and experience of development to assist with our ambitious growth plans.

If you think this is the right opportunity for you, then we look forward to receiving your application.

Yours sincerely

Dale Butcher

Dale Butcher, Chair



About Greenfields

Greenfields Community Housing provide safe and secure homes with a range of tenures, including properties for rent, shared ownership and leasehold. We aim to own and manage up to 9,000 homes in 2020.

Greenfields Community Housing Limited is a charitable housing association which was formed in 2007 out of Braintree District Council’s stock. We have since developed homes in neighbouring districts including Colchester, Uttlesford, Babergh and Chelmsford.

We are one of only four Community Gateway Associations in the country, meaning that our residents are empowered to make key decisions about their homes and housing service.

We pride ourselves on being more than a landlord. We recognise that we have a significant stake in our communities and we want to help residents to grasp the opportunities that will enable them to live healthy and happy lives in safe and vibrant communities.

Our vision

“Working together to provide the best homes and services for people in our communities.”

Improving lives

Our organisational ambition is not to just provide our residents with a home, it’s about improving lives.

We provide residents with resources and opportunities to improve their health and wellbeing, whether that’s to support them in improving their employability, or to help them gain more independence. We’re here to support our residents lead happy and healthy life styles.

Our values

Customer first, Can do, One team, Respect and Integrity

Regulatory status

Greenfields Community Housing’s financial status is extremely healthy. The Regulator of Social Housing has awarded us the highest V1 grading for financial viability.

Our Governance rating is G2 and we had an in depth assessment during November 2018, in which we will receive the outcome in February 2019.



Our Strategy

Our current Strategy, From Good To Great 2015-20, is coming to a close. In October and November 2018, we consulted with our Board, staff and residents about the future direction of our strategy, which will run from 2020. A draft strategy is due to be published early in 2019, and support has already been expressed by all parties for a renewed development drive, supported by innovation and growth.

For more information, please visit: www.greenfieldsch.org.uk/about-us

http://www.greenfieldsch.org.uk/about-us



Executive Team Emma Palmer- Chief Executive

Emma has 26 years of housing experience, and her previous role was Executive Director at Flagship Group. She started her housing career at Suffolk Heritage Housing Association before working for Ipswich Borough Homes, Moat, Estuary Housing Association and East Thames Group. She spent a year as Managing Director of Suffolk Heritage before joining Flagship in 2010. She is a Non-Executive Director of Suffolk Housing Society and has held various other Board positions over 13 years.

David Hall- Finance and Resources Director David has responsibility for the majority of the internal ‘engine’ of Greenfields, ensuring that the funding, the people and the systems are all in place to meet the demands of the business and the expectations of our customers. He is also the Company Secretary. He has previous experience of housing as the Director of Finance for The Havebury Housing Partnership. David has also enjoyed a spell working in New Zealand during his time with the accounting firm, KPMG.

Richard Gormley- Interim Property Services Director

Richard has over 30 years’ experience in the housing sector, having worked as a Housing & Property Services Director for housing associations, local authorities and ALMOs. Richard has also worked as a consultant, both independently and for some of the major consultancy providers. Richard manages Greenfields’ Property Services Directorate, which includes Asset Management and Planned Maintenance and is responsible for ensuring that Greenfields achieves effective and efficient use of its assets, while ensuring residents get value for money.



Sandra Crosby- Housing Director

Sandra has worked at Greenfields from the start and joined as the Housing Director just before the transfer in 2007. She has worked in housing for over 25 years, beginning on the front line as a housing officer. Sandra’s team includes Neighbourhood Management, Support & Wellbeing (including tenant empowerment & Community Gateway) and Customer Excellence (which includes Customer Service, Customer Feedback and Communications).



Board Member

Our Board has up to eight members, three of whom can be residents. We also have the ability to co-opt two further members with specific skills, if required. All our Board members have been recruited based on their skills, knowledge and experience, either in the housing sector or other parts of the public or private sector.

Greenfields tenants, with the right skills, knowledge and experience, also have the opportunity to be paid Board members. We are proud that our tenants can provide their invaluable perspective and insight at the highest levels of the business and we also offer training and support to those who are interested.

Dale Butcher (Chairman)

Dale is the Chairman of our Board. Dale has spent over twenty years in the Automotive Industry in Retail and Distribution. He is currently an adviser to the Emil Frey Group of Switzerland (2012), a Trustee of the Enthusiasm Trust Derby (2014) and a Trustee of the Lynch Hill Enterprise Academy in Slough

Suzanne Wicks

Suzanne has over 25 years’ experience of working in the housing association and local government sectors. Previous roles have included Executive Director of IT & Private Sector Services at Swan Housing, Managing Director of Hera (a leasehold and PRS management subsidiary of Swan) and Managing Director of her own consultancy company. Suzanne is currently the Executive Director of Business Transformation at Lincolnshire Housing Partnership, a newly merged housing association.



Alexander Shelock

Alex is a financial director with over 10 years’ experience in the housing sector and has a master’s degree in economics. Alex provides the board with extensive knowledge of business planning, stress testing, investment appraisals and treasury. Alex lives within the district and is married with children.

Helen Routledge

Helen is a qualified accountant, who has worked in social housing for over 20 years. Currently she is Director of Finance for Crown Simmons Housing Association.

Emma Keegan

Emma has more than 20 years experience working in the housing sector, and is currently Managing Director – Rochford with Sanctuary Housing. She lives within the district

Flip Hornby

Flip has worked with Greenfields as an involved resident for seven years. She has a keen interest in local projects and events, and successfully completed a housing course through “Active Learning for Residents”.



Yvonne Arrowsmith (Co-optee)

Yvonne’s current role is Interim Chief Executive at Saffron Housing, she was previously the Chief Executive at East Thames Housing and prior to that Group Operations Director at Family Mosaic. Yvonne has joined the Board as a Co-Optee for 1 year until January 2019 and brings additional skills and experience in the areas of governance, monitoring and regulation.

Joanne Savage (Co-optee)

Jo is currently CEO of Wellingborough Homes and has worked in housing for over 30 years. She has steered her own organisation through a number of changes and challenges. Jo has excellent all round experience.

Kay Vowles

Kay has held a number of senior positions in housing associations and with the Housing Corporation. Over the last 20 years, Kay has undertaken a wide range of interim and consultancy roles and is very widely respected. Kay has an enthusiasm for Greenfields potential (as a local resident) and a clear sense of future opportunities

David Russell

David had an impressive career in the Royal Navy before stepping down and taking the role as Chief Executive of the Harpur Trust in 2002. David has knowledge of and skill in governance and he brings a wealth of experience to the Greenfields Board, which he believes shares his values and commitment to social development.



David Wallis (Committee Co-optee)

David is an experienced Treasury professional with a detailed understanding of debt capital markets, cash management and operations. He has a good understanding of risk management, and has led on strategy, change programmes and business process improvements.

Keith Carter (Committee Co-optee)

Keith is an experienced executive director with useful asset management experience in the housing association sector as a consultant. He has operated at director level for three Registered Social Landlords, making strategic decisions for commercial success and operational delivery while maintaining customer satisfaction.



Role profile

Job Title: Home Committee Co-Optee

Reports to: Chair of Home Committee

JOB PURPOSE AND SCOPE

Work alongside Home Committee members to ensure that all decisions made in regard to asset management and specifically strategic development are in line with our overall strategy and business plan.

Support the Chair of the Home Committee in the overall good governance of the committee.

Contribute to establishing and maintaining Greenfields vision, values, strategic direction, polices and standards.

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES

Key Responsibilities

• Constructively contribute to discussions, challenging proposals and new activities and scrutinise plans for improvements to performance against the Greenfields business plan, budget and targets.

• Ensure Greenfields has an appropriate strategic development strategy in place.

• Ensure appropriate policies and procedures are in place specifically asset management.

• Maintain an understanding of the activities of the organisation through discussions with staff, members and tenants, the reading of relevant materials and attendance at events and site visits as appropriate.

• Act as an ambassador for Greenfields and attend relevant functions and events to present the organisation internally and externally as appropriate.

General Responsibilities

• Attend Home Committee meetings (6 per year), plus strategic planning events, usually 2 days per annum

• Read papers and prepare properly for Committee meetings

• Represent the organisation as necessary at functions

• Attend reasonable training and similar personal development events provided by the Association

• Comply with the Code of Conduct



BEHAVIOURS

Greenfields Community Housing is a not-for-profit organisation driven by our values.

To be successful in this role you will need to recognise and live our values of:

Customer First, Can Do, One Team, Respect and Integrity.

You will understand and demonstrate the behaviours, particularly:

Integrity:

o You consistently keep your knowledge and skills update and look for ways to improve how things are done

o You will provide authentic strategic direction while ensuring that others are willing to follow your approach.



Person specification

Personal Behaviour and Style


• Demonstrate the values and ethos of Greenfields as a Community Gateway Association • Passionate about service improvements, championing the right of residents and customers to

influence service delivery and to have access to excellent services • Demonstrate Greenfields’ vision and support the organisation in achieving its ambition to improve

lives • Demonstrate the professional conduct expected of a Committee Member • Demonstrates strong commitment to equality and diversity • Demonstrates credibility and integrity • Ensure Greenfields acts in accordance with its Values, Rules, the Governance Framework and

relevant legal and regulatory framework • Able to work effectively and collaboratively in a team environment to build consensus and

support collective decision making • Open to learning and development for self, staff, engaged residents; promotes a learning culture • Supports the Association’s social housing objectives • Has the time and commitment to fulfil effectively the responsibilities of a Committee Member

Skills

• Able to assess risk and promote risk awareness and have a balanced approach to risk • Able to challenge appropriately and hold the Board and senior staff to account • IT literate • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, able to liaise effectively with a wide range of

stakeholders and audiences • Clear high level strategic thinking, able to analyse complex information, demonstrate clear

analytical intellect and rational decision making

Knowledge & Experience

• Extensive experience in development of new homes

Governance experience, as a member of a Board or similar, with knowledge of good governance practice

• Knowledge and experience of Strategic Asset Management • Strong business acumen • Experience of operating at a senior level (executive or non-executive) within a service

organisation

Greenfields Community Housing – Co-Optee January 2019 16


Governance structure

Greenfields Community Housing- Co-Optee January 2019 17


Key terms and conditions

Remuneration

£2,000 per annum

Working hours and annual leave

The expected commitment for a Co-opted Committee member is on average 8-10 hours per month, split over a number of meetings and activities. Committee meetings usually commence at 5pm.

Term of Office

This position is fixed term for an initial period of 12 months

Location

Greenfields Community Housing Greenfields House Charter Way Braintree Essex CM77 8FG

More information

For more information, visit: https://www.greenfieldsch.org.uk

See our strategies and policies at: https://www.greenfieldsch.org.uk/about-us/policies-and- strategies

See our financial statement at: https://www.greenfieldsch.org.uk/about-us/our-performance

https://www.greenfieldsch.org.uk/

https://www.greenfieldsch.org.uk/about-us/policies-and-%20strategies

https://www.greenfieldsch.org.uk/about-us/our-performance



Key dates and the selection process

Closing date:

Tuesday 5th February 2019 at noon

First interviews:

Thursday 21st February 2019

With a Campbell Tickell panel at their offices in Wembley.

Final interviews:

Friday 15th March 2019

With a panel from Greenfields Community Housing at their offices in Braintree.

If you are unable to attend on any of the identified dates for interview, please do speak to Campbell Tickell before making an application.



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Telephone 020 8830 6777 Recruitment 020 3434 0990

[email protected] www.campbelltickell.com @CampbellTickel1

Documents

Home Committee Co-Optee Recruitment pack · consultancy providers. Richard manages Greenfields’ Property Services Directorate, which includes Asset Management and Planned Maintenance