Skills and experience

We ensure our Board members have the experience and the professional and technical skills they need to guide and support the business. Our thorough interview process and series of appraisals helps us to select the most suitable candidates – those who have the required competencies and can add value to the Board. We recruit in line with the National Housing Federation’s code of governance.

Understanding local communities

When recruiting Board members, we specifically look for people who understand the communities they will represent. This is something we considered when recruiting our new Chair Designate for Sovereign Vale, Catherine Ferrier, who took her position on the Group Board in September 2009. We will do so again in the coming months when we recruit new Chairs Designate for Kingfisher HVHS and Sovereign South+West. 

Board responsibilities

The Board is responsible for setting and reviewing the values, aims and objectives for the Group, and for reviewing and approving Group policies and plans to achieve these objectives.

The Group Management Team has corporate responsibility for implementing the Group’s strategy and for the ongoing management and viability of the Group.

Amalgamation

The new amalgamated Group Board comprises members from both the original Sovereign Housing Group and Wessex Housing Partnership Boards. As a result of the amalgamation in July 2009,  we invited members from both Boards to apply for a place, and a number of original members were subsequently required to stand down.