Use the links below to find out more about our resident-led Board, what it's like to be a resident Board Member and details of our current Board Members.
Our Board is made up of:
- six residents
- two Lewisham Council representatives
- four independent members.
Under our rules, the Board Chair must be a Phoenix tenant.
The Board plays a comprehensive role in managing and scrutinising Phoenix, as well as setting our direction. The role is supplemented by Audit, Development and Human Resources and Remuneration sub-committees.
The Board members carry out a rigorous appraisal process and self-assessment of their effectiveness annually.
Members of the public are welcome to attend meetings. However, space is limited and we ask that you contact us in advance.
To find out when the next meeting is, please contact us.
See our latest Board Papers.
We are proud to be a community gateway housing association. This means our Chair and Vice Chair are both Phoenix tenants, and residents are the largest group on our Board.
We hope the following information is useful to you if you are thinking of applying to our Board now or in the future.
Why join our Board?
We are always keen to hear from people interested in joining our Board. You can be from any background. All we ask is that you are committed to helping us deliver our vision of working together to build a better future for our Phoenix community.
Becoming a Board Member is an opportunity to take an active role in overseeing how Phoenix is run, deciding how we spend our money, and setting our plans for the future.
You will be helping to improve the lives, homes and communities of thousands of residents in the Phoenix area.
Our Board is unusual in that tenants and leaseholders from the largest group. This reflects our commitment to put residents at the heart of everything we do through our community gateway model.
Resident shareholders vote to elect the resident members of our Board.
A chance to develop
Joining the Board is also an opportunity for personal development. As a Board Member you can gain a wide range of new skills, whether it's budget monitoring or working as part of a team. You will be offered an extensive programme of training to equip you with the information you need to direct the work of Phoenix.
There is a full induction programme for all new Board Members. You will also receive IT support.
How our Board operates
The Phoenix Board is made up of resident representatives, independent members and council nominees.
All Board members share collective responsibility for decisions taken by the Board and seek to work together in a professional and amicable way.
The role of the Board is to provide managerial oversight of Phoenix and to direct its managers and staff to ensure we achieve our aims and objectives.
As a Board member, you will have a key role in determining the future direction of services delivered to thousands of residents. This includes:
- defining Phoenix’s aims and objectives and ensuring it meets them
- establishing policies and plans for our future development
- approving budgets, accounts and business plans
- defining the levels and standards of service to residents
- monitoring the performance and financial control of the organisation as a whole
- appointing and appraising the performance of the Chief Executive and other senior managers
- satisfying yourself that our affairs are conducted lawfully and in accordance with normal standards of performance and propriety.
Full details of the powers of the Board are set out in our Rules of the Association, which are available on request.
What is expected of you?
It is important that the Board works together as a team and that all members participate. It is also important that there is trust between Board Members and the Executive Team.
Board Members’ obligations include upholding Phoenix’s values and objectives, setting and upholding our core policies, contributing to and sharing responsibility for the Board’s decisions, attending appropriate meetings and representing Phoenix to the outside world.
Board members are expected to:
- declare any conflicts of interest which may face them
- respect the confidentiality of any information they are given
- uphold the Code of Governance recommended by the National Housing Federation.
Behaviours
The Phoenix strengths define how we behave and interact with each other, our partners and our customers. We expect our Board Members to demonstrate the Phoenix strengths as well as our staff.
The Phoenix strengths are:
- Community
- Customer
- Consideration
- Collaboration
Our Board commitments
Board Members will have to make a number of commitments to Phoenix’s work.
These include:
- Board meetings: The Board meets every other month, usually on the last Thursday of the month. Board meetings take place in the evening.
- Sub-committee meetings – these take place regularly and cover particular areas of the Phoenix’s business, principally finance/audit, human resources & remuneration and development. We would expect each Board member to volunteer to be a member of at least one sub-committee relevant to his or her experience.
- Representing the organisation at meetings with other bodies, at conferences and seminars and in meetings with residents.
We estimate that all Board Members will need to devote at least six hours a month to the role. Additional time will depend on what else you may wish to take part in.
You will receive a full Board Induction programme developed to meet your individual needs.
Declarations of Interest
In carrying out their responsibilities, Board Members need to be alive to potential conflicts of interest, which must be declared.
There are strict rules against any Board Member using their position for personal gain or benefit, or the gain or benefit of a family member, spouse or partner.
If you have this kind of connection with someone who is likely to want to do business with Phoenix, we would advise you against becoming a Board Member.
Expenses
Service on the Board is voluntary and unpaid, although the Board can agree to pay members reasonable expenses in carrying out the organisation’s business.
Equality and diversity
The Phoenix area has a diverse, vibrant and strong community which we aim to promote and support. We will seek to ensure that the Board is fully representative of the local communities it serves, and will ensure that all members have a range of skills, up-to-date information and experience to enable them to carry out their duties effectively.
We positively encourage applicants from young people and from black and minority ethnic groups.
Eligibility
Residents of Phoenix who stand for election to the Board are expected to be of good standing.
That means you should:
- be a full shareholder
- have evidence of involvement in Phoenix. That could be attendance at our Community Links gatherings, or being involved in working groups.
You should not:
- be willfully withholding rent or service charge payments from Phoenix
- have any antisocial behaviour actions outstanding against you.
Full details of our eligibility criteria are available on request.
If you would like to find out more, please contact us.