Hayley’s Board Member journey with trainee programme

As part of commitment to improve our governance, we have invested in a Trainee programme to provide opportunities to people who do not already have the support, networks, or experience for a board role.

We produced a proposal with the Housing Diversity Network (HDN) for our trainees to participate in a two-year development programme, along with other trainees from our partner housing associations in Lincolnshire (Acis and Ongo).

With access to workshops, mentors, and one-to-one meetings, the HDN Board Excellence Programme supports individuals to develop their skills, knowledge and confidence to become fully ready to apply for and join a Board or Committee as a non-executive director.

Ongo Customer Engagement Officer Hayley Sleight was one of our successful applicants and she has begun her journey to becoming a Board member.

Programme focuses on development and mentoring

Throughout the two years, Hayley will attend training events, mentor and meetings, complete the HDN board excellence certification programme and observe LHP board and committee meetings.

She said: “It is exciting to get a further understanding of social housing at Board level. I feel blessed to have been successful in gaining this opportunity and look forward to the knowledge and experience I will get throughout the programme.”

The programme focuses on development and mentoring in the skills required to become a board member.

These include:

• Governance and regulation of housing associations
• Government Housing Policy direction, strategy and impact
• Growth – strategic partnerships, mergers, new homes etc
• Business Diversification and Project Appraisal techniques
• Diversity of thought – to using your skills in the Board Room
• Role of Audit and Internal Controls assurance
• Value for Money and management of Risks
• Understanding financial reporting, assurance and treasury management
• Customer Engagement – hearing the customer voice
• Health and Safety Assurance Business transformation and the digital agenda
• Managing your assets

Journey to becoming a Board Member

Steve Hepworth, Chief Executive at Ongo said: “We are incredibly proud of Hayley for securing a place on this programme.

“Colleague development is so important to us here at Ongo, so to see her embark on this journey to learn everything she needs to be able to successfully apply and become a Board member is just fantastic.

“Hayley is a key member of the Ongo team, and she has such passion and drive to do the best job she can, particularly in supporting and collaborating with our tenants to give them a voice in everything we do.

“I can’t wait to hear how the programme progresses and what she learns that will also no doubt help her in her role here too.”

Hayley added: “The training programme has given me the opportunity to develop and build networks that I would not have had access to before.

“The board are welcoming and inclusive, so I feel able to contribute and am given the confidence to practise what I am learning, which continues to help me grow.”

Find out more about our Governance and Board Members by visiting our Governance page.