Board Members
The Roles:
Selwood Housing
The Client:
Selwood Housing is a leading non-profit organisation that provides high-quality, affordable housing and community support services across Wiltshire, Mendip, and Bath & North East Somerset. With a portfolio exceeding 7,000 homes, including rentals and shared ownership options, Selwood is attempting to address the housing crisis facing local communities.
Selwood distinguishes itself from other housing providers by understanding its residents' needs. The organisation employs over 300 employees, all of whom live locally with a vested interest in the community’s wellbeing. Through proactive engagement with residents, Selwood strives to understand their evolving needs and continuously enhance its services.
Looking ahead, Selwood has ambitious plans for the future. By 2034, the organisation aims to expand its portfolio with 1,700 more affordable homes, strengthening accessible and sustainable housing options for local families and individuals. They were seeking two Board Members who could contribute to this vision. Following our successful campaign – placing the Chair of Selwood’s Asset and Development Committee – we were approached to oversee the Board Member search.
While the two successful candidates would sit on the same Board, they sought two individuals with completely different skill sets, therefore requiring distinct search campaigns. One of the Board Members needed deep knowledge of the housing sector, including regulatory and compliance issues and the challenges faced by housing associations. For the other Board Member, they required a finance expert, skilled in budgeting, planning and financial oversight. Furthermore, Selwood’s community focus meant they were only looking for candidates who were embedded in the local community. They approached us to ensure they could find the best qualified local candidates in these two areas of expertise.
Gemma Wilks, Head of Moon’s Management, Engineering and Technical (MET) Practice, took charge of this campaign. Gemma and her team utilised their multi-sector knowledge to build a search campaign around the requirements for the two roles, alongside the values and objectives of Selwood Housing. The search was a combined approach of targeted headhunting and regional advertising. This yielded a shortlist of talented candidates, which was subsequently refined through interviews with Gemma’s team. This process revealed two individuals as clear frontrunners for the Board Member roles. We recommended these two to Selwood, with an in-depth assessment of how each could contribute towards organisational goals, both long and short-term. We’re delighted that Selwood agreed with our evaluation, appointing Maureen Robinson and Sam Whatley as Board Members.
Ms Robinson brings extensive housing association experience, including Board and Chair roles. Her local knowledge and leadership skills impressed our selection team. She also demonstrated a commitment to tackling social inequality and supporting vulnerable groups.
Mr Whatley adds financial expertise to Selwood’s Board. His experience in strategic financial modelling, audit and risk management, and regulatory compliance enables Selwood to provide the best possible services for residents and turn strategies into reality. Both candidates have a proven track record in non-profit governance, equipping them well to contribute to the strategic direction and oversight of Selwood Housing.
Ria Bristow, Selwood Housing’s Group People & Transformation Director commented:
“We’re delighted with the targeted expertise of the Candidates recommended by Gemma. They bring a wealth of experience in housing and finance, aligning perfectly with our needs for these Board Member roles.”
Gemma Wilks commented:
"This search campaign presented a unique challenge – identifying two individuals with specific skill sets and the values and character necessary to help Selwood with their ambitious goals. The candidates we recommended possessed impressive track records in their respective fields and a deep commitment to community engagement and wellbeing."
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