About The Role
Islington Council is seeking an experienced and independent Chair to lead our Housing Improvement Board and provide strategic oversight, constructive challenge and impartial leadership across our Housing Improvement Programme.
Working closely with senior officers, elected Members and stakeholders, you will support and scrutinise the Council’s housing improvement activity, ensuring that agreed actions deliver better outcomes for council tenants and leaseholders. You will play a key role in strengthening governance, accountability and assurance arrangements while helping the Council achieve sustainable service excellence.
As Independent Chair, you will bring insight from across the housing sector, helping the Council learn from best practice and emerging regulatory developments while maintaining a strong focus on resident experience, performance and compliance.
This role is expected to require approximately two days per month for an initial period of one year, with the potential for extension.
What we're looking for
We are looking for a credible, impartial and values-led leader with substantial experience of social housing, governance and organisational improvement.
You will bring:
- Significant senior leadership experience within the UK public housing sector.
- Experience of chairing boards, commissions or governance forums, with a strong track record of providing effective oversight and challenge.
- A deep understanding and awareness of current housing law, regulation, landlord responsibilities and social housing management.
- Experience leading or scrutinising large-scale improvement programmes, including performance management, assurance, benefits realisation and risk management.
- The ability to build productive relationships and facilitate constructive challenge in complex political and organisational environments.
- Excellent communication, facilitation and chairing skills, with sound judgement and the confidence to support, challenge and elevate where required.
- A strong commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion, and to improving outcomes for residents who experience inequality or disadvantage.
Why join us?
At Islington Council, our purpose is simple: we serve. We are committed to challenging inequality, improving outcomes for residents and delivering high-quality public services. Our values of being collaborative, ambitious, resourceful and empowering underpin everything we do.
This is an exciting opportunity to make a lasting contribution to the future of housing services in Islington. You will have the chance to influence meaningful change, improve services for residents and help strengthen trust, accountability and performance across the Council’s housing functions.
We are proud to be recognised as a Disability Confident Leader, London Living Wage Employer, Stonewall Diversity Champion, Employer with Heart and holder of the Mayor’s Good Work Standard.
Selection process
The selection process will consist of a single interview. However, Islington Council reserves the right to hold a second interview should this be required. Applicants should note that the post is subject to the Council's declaration of interests procedure, is politically restricted and requires a Standard DBS check.
For an informal discussion or any queries about the role, please contact charlotte.gauthron@islington.gov.uk.
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Independent Chair, Housing Impovement Board employer: Islington Council
Islington Council is an excellent employer, offering a dynamic work environment that fosters collaboration and innovation in the housing sector. With a strong commitment to employee development and a hybrid working model, staff enjoy the flexibility of remote work while engaging directly with the community. The council prioritises ambitious delivery and effective governance, providing employees with meaningful opportunities to impact local housing initiatives positively.
