Housing Diversity Network

We would like to end the week by celebrating the growth and impact of our newest Board Trainee Programme cohort with a quote from North Star Housing Group: “Investing in the Board Trainee Programme helps people in the North East become board-ready and brings fresh perspectives into the boardroom. We last ran the programme in 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic. While it was still a success despite restrictions, and resulted in one trainee becoming a full-fledged member of our Board, I’m hopeful this new cohort will be able to get even more from the experience in 2025/26. This time, we have four young trainees, some with lived experience of social housing. It’s brilliant to hear them already asking searching questions in board meetings. This kind of lived experience really strengthens our governance and helps us make better decisions for our customers.” If your organisation is ready to diversify its leadership and invest in future board talent, find out more about the programme here: https://lnkd.in/e28tsFCJ #LeadershipJourney #BoardTrainees #GovernanceMatters #DiversityInLeadership #FutureLeaders #HDNProgramme #SocialHousing Yannick D. Chloe Shiel Nadine Stead Jonny Coxon

⏰ Just a reminder! Our EDI Foundation: Building Understanding in the Workplace workshop is happening 14 August 2025, and there’s still time to book your spot! Whether you’re new to EDI or just need a refresh, this interactive session with HDN Associate Edith Stokes covers the essentials, from legal frameworks to creating truly inclusive workplaces. We'll explore: 🔹 What EDI really means (beyond the buzzwords) 🔹 The Equality Act, PSED, and your legal duties 🔹 Privilege, discrimination & inclusive culture 🔹 Making the business and moral case for EDI Get involved in videos, discussions, and practical activities that bring the learning to life. 👉 Spaces are limited! So secure your place today: https://lnkd.in/dikxbP39 #EDI #EqualityMatters #HousingSector #HDNWorkshop #InclusionInAction

Data, insight, and impact, Yannick D. brings all three to the table as a Board Trainee at North Star Housing Group. With a background in BI and a passion for equity and community, he’s here to learn how board-level decisions shape lives and how he can contribute meaningfully to that work. 👉 Read his goals and reflections on starting the programme below. 📢 Curious about how your board can benefit from fresh perspectives? Find out more: https://lnkd.in/e28tsFCJ #BoardTrainees #LeadershipJourney #SocialHousing #EquityInGovernance #FutureLeaders #HDNProgramme

🏙️ Chief Customer Officer | Notting Hill Genesis Partnering with Neemar Search Notting Hill Genesis is recruiting a Chief Customer Officer to lead their customer-facing services across London. A pivotal executive role, this position will drive neighbourhood operations, resident experience and compliance with consumer standards, while shaping the future of customer service through their Better Together strategy. Senior leaders with experience in housing or community services, a proven track record of service transformation, and a collaborative, values-led approach are encouraged to apply. Find out more here - https://lnkd.in/dUtAJ9Vb #ExecutiveSearch #CustomerExperience #HousingLeadership #NottingHillGenesis #NeemarSearch

What does inclusive leadership look like in politically shifting places? We’re bringing together a brilliant panel at the HDN Autumn Conference 2025 to explore how leaders respond to working in areas with unexpected right-wing populist election wins and what it takes to stay grounded in equity, purpose and community. 🎤 Chaired by: Daniel Hewitt, Investigations Editor at ITV News and award-winning journalist known for holding power to account and amplifying voices in housing. 💬 Panellists: Jabeer Butt , Chief Executive, Race Equality Foundation Anthony Duerden, Chief Executive, The Calico Group Brian Horton, Director, Horton Strategic, chair of Kent Housing Group This session will unpack the realities of leadership under pressure, the importance of values-led decision making, and the role of inclusive strategy in unpredictable times. A huge thank you to our headline sponsors, Ampliuss and Devonshiress Solicitors, for supporting this timely conversation. 📍 14 October | Milton Keynes 🎟️ Book now: https://lnkd.in/dxNS9tn7 #HDN2025 #LeadershipInTurbulentTimes #DanielHewitt #JabeerButt #AnthonyDuerden #BrianHorton #Amplius #DevonshiresSolicitors #SocialHousing #InclusiveLeadership #EDI #HousingConference #EquityInAction

🚨 Last chance to sign up! 🚨 HDN Webinar: Housing for Refugees – Challenges, Change & the Role of Housing Providers 🗓️ 5th August 2025 | Online Don’t miss this important conversation on the barriers refugees and migrants face in accessing housing and what we can all do to change that. With insights from: 🗣️ Paul Catterall – NACCOM 🗣️ Amanda Church-Mcfarlane – ABIGAIL HOUSING 🗣️ Colin Parker – Refugee Action 👉 Register now: https://lnkd.in/dveySMrs #HDNWebinar #RefugeeHousing #SocialJustice #InclusiveHousing #HousingForAll

Meet Nadine Stead, Estate Services Area Lead at Thirteen Group and proud Board Trainee at North Star Housing Group. Passionate about wellbeing, representation, and community, Nadine shares how she’s navigating imposter syndrome and stepping into strategic conversations with clarity and confidence. Read her full expectations and insights below. 👇 Want to diversify your leadership pipeline? Explore the Board Trainee Programme: https://lnkd.in/e28tsFCJ #DiversityInLeadership #BoardTrainees #SocialHousing #FutureLeaders #WomenInLeadership #HDNProgramme

We're thrilled to spotlight Chloe Shiel from Broadacres Housing Association, as she begins her journey with the HDN and North Star Housing Group Board programme. From chasing dachshunds to chasing governance insights, Chloe shares her hopes for building confidence, understanding board finance, and bridging the gap between operational work and strategic decision-making. 👉 Read her full reflections and goals below. 📢 Interested in bringing new voices to your board? Learn more about the programme here: https://lnkd.in/e28tsFCJ #LeadershipJourney #BoardTrainees #GovernanceMatters #FutureLeaders #HDNProgramme #SocialHousing

🌟 Board Member & Chair Designate – Customer Experience Committee | WCHG Wythenshawe Community Housing Group is seeking a new Board Member to join in 2025, stepping into the role of Chair of the Customer Experience Committee in 2026. This is a brilliant opportunity for a senior customer service leader with housing and regulatory insight to shape services and champion community voice in South Manchester. Find out more here - https://lnkd.in/d-5VTQ9P #BoardRecruitment #SocialHousing #CustomerExperience #LeadershipOpportunity #WCHG

We are delighted that our board trainees Chloe Shiel, Nadine Stead,Yannick D. and Jonny Coxon at North Star Housing Group Board got off to a great start on their leadership and governance journey this week. The trainees attended their first board programme training session, led by HDN Associate Mick Warner, as well as their first board meeting. Mick said, "I’m looking forward to getting to know them through the workshops," as the group begins this exciting new chapter. For the trainees it was a chance to witness high-level decision-making in action and understand the strategic and governance responsibilities that come with being on the board of a housing association. The experience helped demystify the boardroom environment, as trainees observed how agendas are set, how debate is conducted, and how consensus is built. The trainees commented on how valuable it was to see the balance between challenge and support, and how board culture shapes the way an organisation operates at the highest level. We know from our experience that having trainees in the boardroom also subtly but meaningfully shifts the dynamics of board meetings. Their presence brings a fresh perspective and an added sense of reflection to the discussions. Existing board members have always responded with a more open and explanatory approach, taking time to clarify technical or historical points, which in turn has led to more thoughtful, inclusive conversations. Organisations have reported that having trainees, who are younger (and often more diverse than others in the room) means that the board is prompted to pause and revisit assumptions, helping reinforce a culture of continuous learning and accountability. At HDN we believe that the inclusion of trainees signals a commitment to building future governance capacity and diversifying the pipeline of leadership in the sector. It challenges any insularity and reminds board members of the importance of accessibility and development for those who do not traditionally access board roles. The trainee programme not only strengthens governance in the long term but also aligns with wider goals around diversity, participation, and transformation. If you want to know more about the board trainee programme – https://lnkd.in/e28tsFCJ #LeadershipJourney #BoardTrainees #GovernanceMatters #DiversityInLeadership #FutureLeaders #HDNProgramme #NorthStarBoard #SocialHousing