An introduction from our Chair…

 

 

Thank you for your interest in joining the Board of Meridian Home Start. We are looking to appoint two new Non-Executive Directors, including one who will also take on the important role of Chair of our Audit & Risk Committee. These appointments come at an important time for the organisation and offer a real opportunity to contribute to the future direction, governance and continued development of Meridian Home Start.

Meridian Home Start is a Community Benefit Society founded by the Royal Borough of Greenwich to provide affordable rental housing for working families. We operate independently and provide high-quality homes at discounted rents, typically around 65% of market levels, supporting households who may otherwise find it difficult to rent or buy on the open market. Since our establishment, we have delivered more than 200 affordable homes across Greenwich and own and manage 29 street properties in the borough.

We are an ambitious organisation, with the support of the Royal Borough of Greenwich, and our aim is to continue increasing the supply of affordable homes for local people. The Board is actively considering, with the Council’s express support, whether to apply for registered provider status as a not-for-profit housing association with the Regulator of Social Housing. The decisions we take in the period ahead will shape our next phase of growth, our governance arrangements and our future business plan.

As a Non-Executive Director, you will work collectively with fellow Board members to ensure that Meridian Home Start fulfils its purpose, remains financially sustainable and delivers high-quality homes and services for the benefit of our residents and communities. You will help determine our strategic direction, oversee performance, safeguard good governance and financial stewardship, and ensure that residents have an effective voice in the governance and scrutiny of the Society.

For the Chair of the Audit & Risk Committee role, we are looking for someone who can provide confident and constructive leadership to a recently established Committee. The Committee meets four times a year and is still embedding its ways of working, so the Chair will play a key role in helping to establish effective processes, reporting lines and assurance arrangements. This will include supporting the Board through independent oversight of financial reporting, risk management, internal control, governance, regulatory compliance and external audit.

We are seeking people who share our commitment to delivering affordable homes for working families in Greenwich, and who can bring the judgement, experience and independence needed to help us grow responsibly. If you are passionate about making a difference, ready to contribute your skills, and keen to help us shape the next stage of Meridian Home Start’s journey, we would be delighted to hear from you.

Having read the information on this microsite, should you wish to have a confidential discussion, please contact our appointed advisor Sioned Hughes from Altair on 07887 791381 or email sioned.hughes@altairltd.co.uk.

We look forward to hearing from you.

Stephen Stringer

Chair