Board Trainee Programme

We believe that our expertise in running a board trainee or board associate programmes is unmatched.

The need for board diversity is well-established in the housing sector. Indeed, the 2020 National Housing Federation Code placed an emphasis on boards taking an active lead in setting their own composition and reflecting their areas of operation.

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We don’t believe that you can ‘magic’ a diverse board overnight. It takes time and effort, and some succession planning.

Our Board Trainee (or Associate) Programme is designed to attract a diverse range of talent, mostly from ‘non-traditional’ board backgrounds, and work with them so that they are in a position to apply for board vacancies when they occur. In essence, the programme is a two-year development scheme to create a pipeline of talent for diversity on boards.

An independent evaluation of our first Board Trainee Programme cohort found that the project met all of its objectives. We’re happy to provide this report on request.

The Programme

Our programme supports organisations across four key stages:

Preparation with the existing board and organisation for a more diverse board
Searching for and selection of diverse board members (particularly in terms of ethnicity, age/younger and disability)
Inducting and mentoring these board members (or trainees)
Retaining and ensuring good contribution of such new members

The programme draws on leading diversity practice to make a real and lasting impact on the development of diversity at Board level.

We have set out in the ‘Process’ section below an overview of each of these stages and options for the level of support we provide.

The Process

We work with your organisation in the following areas:

Recruitment - from the beginning to the end of the process ensuring that we use inclusive practices and the widest possible range of advertising channels.
Ensuring that the Board and Executive Team understands the business case for diversity and is committed to the process.
Identifying individual needs of the new trainees using diagnostic tools and feedback.
Providing a external mentor to each trainee to help support their personal development.
Providing a series of (at least) monthly Board Excellence workshops for trainees to develop their skills and knowledge.
Providing focused training including boardroom challenge, framing questions, discussing and strategic thinking.
Further training such shadowing opportunities at Board level, mock board meeting participation, CV and interview ready skills, including support with their Board application.
Provide Networking opportunities with HDN through our events and conference programme, as well as events with other trainees
Throughout the process HDN's Lead Associate will set up and maintain a relationship with both the trainee and your organisation.
We will ensure that a personal development plan is agreed with both you and the trainee, and jointly monitor progress.

Many organisations have worked together to develop a regional cohort of board trainees who can network and go through the programme together.

Board Trainees who have successfully completed the programme and have secured a position on a board.

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We would be happy to talk to you about the programme, to share experience and to tailor the package you need to suit your own organisation.