Resident Experience Committee

Resident Experience Committee

The Resident Experience Committee is a committee of the Board whose purpose is to ensure the customer voice is heard when strategic and operational matters, which may affect residents and other members of the community, are considered by the Board or its committees.

The committee is made up of residents, independent and Board members, who hold us accountable for our performance, whilst also ensuring we are doing what we say we will when it comes to providing services.

Here, some of the REC, alongside other Board and Committee members, explain why our residents’ voice is so important to us.

Our meetings

Below, you’ll find a short video that summarises what was discussed at our July meeting.

Our May Meeting
Sara Garnham (Chair)

Sara Garnham (Chair)

“I bring experience from Executive and Non-Executive positions in public, private and third-sector organisations across various sectors including construction, housing, the tech sector, education, care and the arts.

I am also actively involved in the local community in Cambridge.

I first got involved in housing as a charity Board member in the 1980s in Cambridge, leading the charity through an ambitious development programme. In 2006, I joined Hill Partnership as business development director, and I have continued my commitment to the social housing sector with various housing association Board roles.

I am also currently Chair of the Board at Hundred Houses Society in Cambridge.”

Wil Bryant

Wil Bryant

“I am currently the head of customer services and business development for Providor Ltd, one of the UK’s largest providers of domestic and non-domestic smart metering installations and solutions. I have been a board director of the Bury St Edmunds Business Improvement District since 2013 and vice chairman since 2014. I have served as a governor at Howard Middle School and Ickworth Park Primary, and worked in hospitality and property for a number of years. Born and raised in Bury St Edmunds, I am passionate about the town and the wider area. I live in Barrow with my  wife and two children. In my spare time, I play cricket and coach four to ten-year-olds from the area. I love to travel and all things gastronomic.”

Keith Harris

Keith Harris

“I have been involved in housing associations for many years, and have been a Havebury tenant for nearly five years. I became involved in a couple of tenant forums which I found interesting and which encouraged me to apply for a role on Havebury’s Tenant Experience Committee. My working career has involved 39 years in the domestic gas industry, serving many different councils and housing associations in a contractor capacity. As well as many years in the field, I also held management positions for many years. This gave me an insight into both sides of the fence. As a result, I am capable of basing decisions on factual evidence as well as holding my own in-depth investigations and making sound decisions.”

Adam Colby

Adam Colby

“I am an independent management consultant specialising in business transformation. I’ve worked with a range of different organisations including local and national housing associations. My first independent piece of work was with Havebury in 2013 which introduced me to the organisation and housing. It’s a fantastic organisation with good, clear social values at its heart. It’s great to be able to support them in the capacity of a non-executive director on the Board and Committees.”

Aleksandr Ovcerenko

Aleksandr Ovcerenko

“I am currently working as a multi-site account manager for a recruitment agency. I have nine years’ experience in people management, staff development, recruitment, customer service, and customer retention. I have good knowledge in health and safety, profitability and good negotiations skills.

Originally, I am from Latvia, father of a wonderful four-year old daughter and a husband to a highly driven wife. I came to Bury St Edmunds in 2010 and have never wanted to leave this beautiful and charming town. I became a Havebury tenant in 2019 and at the same time, I became a member of the Performance and Scrutiny Panel.

I have always been an active member of different panels and groups. When I was 13, I became a member of my school council, representing the interests of students, and also an active event organiser. At the age of 16, I became the Chair of the Commission for the Protection of Children of the Zemgale Suburb.

I am a big football fan and have a big interest in geopolicy.”

Andrew Ward

Andrew Ward

“I have been a Havebury resident since 2015. I currently work for a district council in Essex, in their environmental services department. Prior to that, I had 30 years working in agricultural management, road haulage and a number of customer service and customer-facing roles.”

“I’m a big supporter of all things that include teamwork, fairness, respect and inclusivity. In my spare time I enjoy walking the dogs and assisting as a helper at our local Scout group”.

Dan P

Dan P

“I am a shared owner living in Cambridgeshire, and I became a resident member in 2023. I have a keen and strong interest in social affairs and feel strongly that residents’ voices should be heard.”

Joe Cormack

Joe Cormack

“I am a shared owner living in West Suffolk, and I became a resident member in 2022.  I have a real interest in the well-being of residents and offer constructive feedback on issues which affect residents.”