Board and committees

The group and its subsidiaries are overseen by a number of boards and committees. They set the strategic direction and provide challenge and scrutiny.

Understanding our governance

You can find more information about our governance in our Financial Statements, which we publish every year.

This document reports on our work throughout the financial year, how we make sure our services provide value for money, how we compare to other housing associations and our financial position.

It also contains the annual Report of the Board and Board remuneration (how much Board members are paid).

Headshot of Fay Shanahan director of operations and IT

Responsible person for consumer standards

To ensure we are compliant with the consumer standards set out in the Social Housing (Regulation) Act 2023, we have appointed Fay Shanahan Corporate Director of Operations and IT as our dedicated lead for consumer standards. For more information on our performance visit our page on Tenant Satisfaction Measures (TSMs).

Board and committee membership explained

We are committed to achieving the highest standard of governance. We recruit to our Boards and Committees based on skills and values, ensuring that Members have the right approach to steer and safeguard the organisation.

Our Chief Executive is always an Executive Member of our Board. Members of our Executive Team, including the Chief Executive, also sit on the boards of whg’s subsidiary companies. However, Executive Members do not vote on items that will affect them directly, such as the terms of their contracts, and they do not get paid for being on a Board.

Board and committee membership is for a fixed term and we operate in accordance with the requirements contained in the National Housing Federation Code of Governance.

If you would like more information about anything to do with our Boards and Committees, or to request our register of Board and Committee Member Declarations of Interest, please contact the Governance Team on: Governance.Team@whgrp.co.uk

Members of the whg Board

Our Board sets the organisation’s vision and plans for the future, ensuring the right people and resources are in place to get there. It approves the key strategies and policies that support whg’s overall direction, agrees budgets and monitors performance against key priorities.
 

Members of the Audit and Assurance Committee

The Audit and Assurance Committee ensures the right checks and controls are in place to manage our strategic risks. Its responsibilities include reviewing financial statements, reviewing the performance of our auditors and overseeing the annual Internal Audit plan.
 

Guy Weston (Chair)
Julie Jones
Deborah Walthorne (Deputy Chair)
Ros Freeman
Winston Weir

Members of the People and Governance Committee

The People and Governance Committee ensures that our culture supports the delivery of our ambitious future plans through oversight of people management at whg. The Committee also ensures whg’s governance structure is effective and fit for the future.
 

Lizzie Downes (Chair)
Ian Shapiro (Deputy Chair)
Gary Moreton
Parminder Dosanjh
Akshay Parikh

Members of the Customer Service Oversight Committee

The Customer Service Oversight Committee oversees how whg is delivering services to customers. It reviews and approves customer-focused strategies and policies, monitors performance, and ensures customer voices are heard through active engagement. Key areas of service include repairs, housing management and complaints.
 

Natalia Hill (Chair)
Daren Fradgley (Deputy Chair)
Craig Royall
Mark Pinnell
Gary Moreton
Carolyn Palmer-Fagan
Brent Walters-Mabbott

Members of the Development Committee

The Development Committee plays a crucial role in approving whg’s significant new housing developments across the West Midlands. It considers factors like quality, cost, location and environmental sustainability. The Committee monitors the progress of each scheme and recommends development strategies and policies for approval by the whg Board.
 

Akshay Parikh (Chair)
Clive Eccleston
Guy Weston
Timothy Hill

Diversity of our Board and committee members


Walsall Housing Group Limited – trading as whg

Company no: 04015633
Charity no: 1108779
Registered Provider no: L4389

Private Company Limited by Guarantee

Registered Charity
Registered Provider with the Regulator of Social Housing

Purpose:
Provide housing, accommodation and associated facilities and amenities

Members of Anthem Homes and whg Trading Company Boards

Katie Kershaw (Chair)
Dawn Hendon (Company Secretary)
Sangita Surridge (Managing Director)
Gary Fulford
Clive Eccleston
Rebecca Bennett Casserly

Members of whg Developments and whg Treasury Boards

Sangita Surridge (Chair)
Dawn Hendon (Company Secretary)
Gary Fulford
Rob Gilham

Members of Anthem Lovell LLP

Rebecca Bennett Casserly
Gary Fulford
Stuart Penn
David Gough

Members of Cricket Close LLP

Sangita Surridge (Chair)
Dawn Hendon (Company Secretary)
Gary Fulford
Rebecca Bennett Casserly

Members of the Woodlands Management Company (Harrowby) Limited

Adam Wagner (Chair)
Dawn Hendon (Company Secretary)
Headshot of Fay Shanahan director of operations and IT
Fay Shanahan