Resident Board Member

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Closing date: 14th February 2025 at 9am

Salary: £7,000 per annum

Time commitment: Five half-day meetings each year and attendance at two strategy days plus other ad hoc meetings as required

 

 

Do you have a passion for making a difference to the lives of people living in our communities? Care about the services that Gateway Housing Association provides to our residents?

If your answer is yes, you could be our next Resident Board member.

We are looking for a resident to join our board. You will be able to bring a customer view right into the heart of decision making at Gateway Housing Association through your understanding of the communities served by Gateway Housing Association and your ability to consider the interests of our communities and customers, in order to drive change.

As a board member you will be able to work as part of a team, shaping our future strategy and supporting the executive team to deliver it. You will be able to share your views confidently and contribute effectively to service improvements.

Previous experience on a board is not essential, but you should share our vision and values and have a real desire to improve the lives of the customers we serve. You will have an understanding of social housing and an idea of what great customer service is. You may have experience of meetings perhaps in a community or voluntary setting. We know our current board membership needs to better reflect the communities we serve - and this is another reason why we need you to apply. We encourage applications from diverse backgrounds.

What matters to us is that you have a passion to make a difference that benefits others.  You will play a key part in overseeing how we are run and developing our future plans, thinking about what is best for Gateway Housing Association and its customers and communities.

You will have the energy and commitment to attend board meetings, either at Mile End or virtually (access to Microsoft teams) as well as occasional learning and development opportunities. If you have skills and experience in construction, data management or organisational transformation, please tells us about it in your application.

If you’re living in a Gateway Home and you’re ready to make a genuine difference to Gateway’s future, whilst developing your own skills, please apply.

 

 

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Our purpose: To provide great homes for people in East London and to support communities to thrive.

Our Vision: People will want to live in a Gateway home | People will want to work at Gateway.

Our Values: Passionate | Accountable | Connected | Excellence

 

 

Introduction to the board from David Done OBE, Chair of Gateway Board

 

David became the Chair of the Gateway Board in May 2023 and has been working in the housing industry for 38 years. His career began with homeless charities in London and Bristol. Later, he held senior-level positions in five local authorities and served as the Group CEO of RHP, a renowned housing association located in West London. He has received numerous awards for his contribution to the industry.

Hear him explain why it’s such an exciting time to join Gateway’s board and why you should apply.

 

 

 

What’s the role like? 

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Frances Austin is a Maternity Dietetic Services Manager at Barts Health NHS Trust and alongside her busy work and family life, she sits on the Gateway Board as a Resident Board member.

 

 

 

 

 

What made you decide to apply for the board role?

It was an exciting opportunity to be a voice for Gateway residents and to make a significant impact on Gateway’s governance to ensure that excellent services are provided to all Gateway residents. I wanted to bring my customer service, business and management skills to support issues affecting Gateway residents.

 

How have you found being a board member? 

I enjoy it! I’ve had the pleasure of meeting wonderful people and developing effective working relationships with both board members and the executive team. At board meetings I am able to make positive contributions to strategic discussions and debates. Also, I constructively challenge the executive team when necessary to ensure that good governance and excellent customer services are provided to Gateway residents.

I have been able to easily fit attending board meetings and strategy days around my busy NHS work schedule. And I’ve gained skills and experience in housing management and governance, strategic mission and vision development and housing standards.

 

What's a typical meeting like?  

There is always an agenda and board papers are circulated for the board members to review in advance of the meeting. The chair of the board chairs all meetings and also ensures they run smoothy and that everyone is able to participate.

At the meeting, key areas for attention are singled out and time is allocated for the board to effectively discuss and debate all important matters. The board also scrutinises and approves financial budgets and business plans and accounts.

The board members work well together and that they always put residents at the heart of their decision making.

 

What would you say to someone thinking of applying?

Serving as a Resident Board member is an exciting, challenging and rewarding role. If you want to make a positive contribution, are passionate about ensuring the provision of high-quality customer services and believe that residents come first, this role could be right for you.

 

 

Application process and timeline

 

Applications close on Friday 14th February 2025 at 9am. 

Applicants will be reviewed and shortlisted by Tpas against the person specification for the role, which you can find below, along with the application form and advice on how to complete it, if you need it.

All shortlisted applicants will then be invited into a group session on Monday 3rd March at 1-3pm and selected applicants will be invited to an informal interview on either 11th or 13th March 2025. 

The interviews will include Tpas, a board member and a Gateway Housing Association colleague.

For more information about Gateway Housing Association take a look at our Corporate Strategy and annual report:

Corporate Strategy | Gateway Housing Association

Annual Reports | Gateway Housing Association

Please complete the application form and tell us why you are applying for the role, with examples about how you meet our requirements above. You can also record a video and send this to us before the closing date of 14th February 2025 at 9am. 

Person Specification

Online application form  (Word document)

Please send your application form with a CV (and/or a video) to emma.flynn@tpas.org.uk.

Help with application and FAQs