Board of Directors
The role of the Board of Directors is to lead, control, scrutinise and evaluate Havebury’s work. This includes:
• determining the company’s strategic direction and policies
• establishing and overseeing risk management frameworks
• satisfying itself on the integrity of financial information
• ensuring that Havebury achieves its aims and objectives
The ultimate responsibility for Havebury lies with this Board.
Meet our Chair
Jonathan Free has been the Chair of Havebury’s Board of Directors since July 2008.
Q: Why did you join the board?
A: I joined the board almost eight years ago because I felt I should do something on a voluntary basis within the community. I have always been lucky enough to have my own home and I felt that this was a basic right we should all enjoy. So the link to Havebury, who needed a Non-Executive Director with a background in Management and Human Resources at the time, seemed like a perfect match.
Q: What skills do you bring to the board?
A: I have had a varied career which has involved academic research, people and contract management in both the private sector and education. More recently I have worked within local government at both a district and regional level. My professional experience includes human resources - in particular training and development - health and safety and general management.
My main contribution to the board is acting as a critical friend, helping the organisation to shape its strategic direction. More recently as Chair, I ensure the board meetings run effectively and that the board includes the right people with the right skills to govern the business appropriately.
Q: What difference do you want to make to the workings of Havebury?
A: Havebury has always been a well performing organisation with a good reputation and high levels of customer satisfaction. However, the way in which social housing is now funded and delivered is rapidly changing. What I am trying to do is to help Havebury develop the flexibility to deal with this changing world whilst challenging the costs of running the business - without reducing or compromising the quality of the services we deliver.
About our Board Directors
Each Board Director receives a small payment for their work which is set by an independent panel working to national guidelines. There are strict rules which state that members of their families are not allowed to benefit financially, or otherwise, through their position as Board Directors. Havebury has 15 Board Directors, made up in equal parts of tenants, council representatives and independent members.
Each member must sit on at least one of the following committees which oversee specific areas of Havebury’s work:
• Audit and Risk - This Committee examines and reviews in detail Havebury’s plans, policies and procedures regarding audit, the management of risk and related matters. It undertakes detailed consideration of all matters relating to the audit and internal control arrangements of Havebury, and makes recommendations to the Board where appropriate on such matters.
• Operations - This Committee examines and reviews in detail Havebury’s plans, policies and procedures regarding operations management, maintenance, development of new homes and other related matters. It reviews the plans and performance of all operational activities and services to ensure effective and efficient operations which deliver best value for money.
• Resources - This Committee examines and reviews in detail Havebury's plans, policies and procedures regarding human resources, health and safety, financial management and planning, information technology, facilities and other related matters including business continuity.
