Shal Housing Limited
Providing safe, warm, affordable homes to support our communities
Service Excellence that puts customers first
High-quality Homesthat people are proud to live in
A great place to work, where our team can thrive
Long-term sustainability, an organisation fit for the future
Job Description
Role:
1 x Non-Executive Director (Finance, Audit and Risk Committee)
1 x Non-Executive Director (Renumerations and Nominations Committee)
Salary: £2,594 per annum
Responsible to: Chair of the Board
Commitment
SHAL Housing anticipates a time commitment of not less than 3 days per month, however the nature of the role makes it impossible to be specific about the time commitment.
Duration
Our board operates to a maximum tenure of six years, in line with the National Housing Federation’s Code of Governance. It is therefore anticipated that the end date of this role would be within the year 2032.
Location
Bridgwater – this role includes attendance at regular and emergency Board meetings and the AGM.
You will also be required to attend regular meetings of your dedicated sub-group-
Finance Audit and Risk Committee (4 meetings per year.)
Renumerations and Nominations committee (at least 2 meetings per year)
In addition, you will be expected to devote appropriate preparation time ahead of each meeting.
About SHAL
We are a not-for-profit community housing association with 800 homes across Somerset. Our purpose is to provide safe, warm, affordable homes to support our communities
These are exciting times for Shal with new leadership and a new corporate plan.
We are a smaller housing association with a big ambition to be the best we can be, to develop new homes, to improve the homes we have already and to work with our partners and the people who rent homes from us to build a sense of community within a sustainable environment.
Our tenants think highly of us with 83% saying we are a good landlord and 89% saying they are treated fairly and with respect.
Role Purpose
As a Non-Executive Director, you will help set the strategic direction for SHAL, working with the executive team as required to facilitate the strategic decision-making process. The Board is collectively responsible for promoting the success of the Company by directing and supervising the Company’s affairs.
You will be skilled and knowledgeable in regards to social housing, having ideally worked in the sector.
Key Responsibilities
Approve SHAL’s business plans and Strategic Plan.
Review the impact of the external operating environment on SHAL and agree to an appropriate response as required.
Establish, develop, and maintain effective working relationships with all work colleagues, contractors and partnering agencies to ensure an integrated contribution to the delivery of SHAL’s purpose, priorities and culture.
Approve changes to the structure, size, constitution, composition and retained functions of the Board (subject to final approval at general meetings where required under the constitutions)
Approve the Financial Regulations and powers delegated to the Executive Team and Management Team.
Approve the remuneration and any other relevant policies for Boards and Committee Members, the Executive and Employees.
Review compliance with the NHF Code of Governance, including a statement of compliance in the annual financial statements, and a reasoned statement about any areas of non-compliance.
Review compliance with the Regulatory Framework, including legal compliance including GDPR, Health and Safety and Equality Law and a reasoned statement about any areas of non-compliance, ensuring any areas of material non-compliance are reported to the regulator in a timely manner.
Note returns to the Regulator of Social Housing, Financial Conduct Authority, Companies House, Housing Ombudsman and other regulators ensuring systems are in place to make sure returns are accurate and on time.
Approve the key performance indicators (KPIs) and review performance agreeing corrective action if necessary.
Approve material expansion of the business including expansion of SHAL’s operations into new activities or geographic areas, including strategic partnerships, mergers and Joint Ventures not in the Strategic or Business Plan.
Approve each year the Annual reports and statutory accounts, prior to the AGM and publication noting the financial statements including value for money, audit arrangements, internal controls and risk management.
Approve and monitor major property development and land transactions outside the level delegated to the Committees and/or Executive within the Financial Regulations and to review delegations annually.
Approve and review periodically a framework of delegation and systems of internal control and approve and annual statement of effectiveness of internal controls.
Annually review collective performance of the Board, key competencies for and performance of individuals to ensure the Board is operating at maximum effectiveness and in accordance with the Skills, Behaviours and Competency Matrix.
Observe and comply with SHAL’s policies and procedures and observe and continually promote equality, diversity and inclusion and customer care in compliance with SHAL’s purpose, priorities and culture.
Continuously seek realistic ways to improve efficiency and effectiveness in your role as a Non-Executive Director, to help SHAL deliver its purpose, priorities and culture.
Deliver your role in adherence to the requirements of the regulations in force relating to data security and GDPR, adhering to the highest standards of confidentiality regarding any confidential information with which you come into contact by virtue of your position as a Non-Executive Director of the Company.
Key Dates
The following important dates are relevant to board members for the remainder of 2026:
- SHAL AGM and next Board meeting – 23rd September 2026
- Renumerations and Nominations Committee- 12 October 2026
- Finance, Audit and Risk Committee - 21 October 2026
- Board Away Day – 23 October 2026
- Board meeting - 11 November 2026
Person Specification
We are seeking two board members.
We are particularly keen to receive applications from individuals able to demonstrate skills in relation one or more of the following areas:
- Understanding of social housing and the needs of its tenants
- Delivering quality, tenant-focussed services and responding to tenants’ need
- Strategic finance experience including business planning and treasury
Equal Opportunities
We are committed to building a Board that reflects the diversity of the communities we serve. As women are currently underrepresented on our Board, we particularly welcome applications from women.
Application
We are keen to ensure that our new member of the board shares our values, and are able to apply these to their work with us. If you want to make a difference every day to the families, children and young people of Somerset, we want to hear from you.
To apply, please submit your CV and expression of interest setting you how you feel your experience is suitable for this role to [email protected].
Closing Date 7 June 2026
Interviews to be held in w/c 22 June
Pay: £2,594.00 per year
Benefits:
Application question(s):
- Please tell us a few words about why you wish to apply for this role.
Work authorisation:
- United Kingdom (required)
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Bridgwater TA6 4SY
