Tenant Board Member Programme

The updated Regulatory Standards that came into effect in April 2024, have strengthened consumer standards, placing much greater emphasis on
housing boards to demonstrate that tenants are influencing decision making. Many organisations are therefore establishing or strengthening
customer committees and/or appointing tenants to their board.

We recognise that tenants can bring a unique perspective to the role through their lived experience of the services provided by their landlord, which can
greatly benefit your organisation.

However, serving on a board requires knowledge of often complex topics such as finance, governance and policy, areas that can be unfamiliar to new
board members – especially those who are unfamiliar with governance or the way the sector is run.

Our Tenant Board Member Programme aims to address these challenges by equipping tenant board members with the skills and tools they need to
become ‘board-ready’ more quickly so that their voice carries even more weight.

The Programme

The Tenant Board Member programme will support your trainee in 5 key ways:

An extensive series of workshops covering the role of the board, regulatory requirements, and current and emerging issues in the housing sector.
Support for personal development as an aspiring board member. This is arranged by a HDN Associate who will liaise with your organisation throughout the programme.
A “buddy” from within your organisation will be recruited to offer practical support along your learning journey.
One-to-one mentoring provided by an experienced non-executive director.
A partnership approach with the host organisation with the aim of enabling successful board membership for programme participants.

What can tenants expect from the programme?

An understanding of what is expected of a tenant board/committee member.
Knowledge of current issues in the sector including good governance, strategic thinking and risk management practices that are aligned to the interests of tenants and residents.
An appreciation what an ‘effective board’ looks like and understand how you should be adding tangible value to decision-making.
More confidence and self-awareness, so that participants can develop their influencing and relationship-building skills.
Improve participants confidence and self-awareness, as well their influence and relationship-building skills.
An understanding of how to use personal experience in a strategic way to challenge and ask the right questions in the boardroom.

A key element of the programme is close liaison between the participant, HDN and the host organisation. HDN’s Lead Associate will establish and maintain strong relationships with all parties which will include a personal development plan, and a process for jointly monitoring progress throughout the programme.

We would be happy to talk to you more about the programme. Please fill the form below to get in touch.