Homes and Communities Agency
Appointment of up to four Board Members
June 2017
Closing Date for Applications: Midnight Thursday 6th July
Information Pack Contents
The HCA’s Role 3
The Role of the HCA Board 3
Role Description 4
Person Specification 5
How to Apply 6
The Selection and Recruitment Process 8
Interviews 8
Post Interview Next Steps 9
Complaints 9
The Seven Principles of Public Life 10
Terms and Conditions 11
Annexes 13
The HCA’s Role
The HCA is the Government’s housing delivery agency. It is a Non Departmental Public Body within the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG). It was established on 1 December 2008 following the merger of the investment arm of the former Housing Corporation with the regeneration activities of the former English Partnerships.
The Agency has the following corporate priorities, which flow from the DCLG Single Departmental Plan:
1. Driving up housing supply
2. Increasing home ownership
3. Supporting the Government devolution agenda to support local growth
4. Engaging with the market and delivery partners
5. Delivering effective regulation of social housing
6. Ensuring it has the systems, processes, management and governance in place to meet delivery targets and manage budgets
7. Ensuring it has the resource, skills and leadership to deliver
Housing is a key priority for Government – the last Spending Review prioritised housing by doubling the housing budget from 2018-19, setting the most ambitious plan since the 1970s to build homes. The HCA is the government’s agency responsible for delivering these housing ambitions and the scale and portfolio of the agency is now unprecedented. It is a major investment business with responsibility for over £20bn investments and guarantees in housing and land. Examples of programmes funding by this investment include: support to increase the number of starter homes; Help to Buy schemes; long-term infrastructure funding to unlock homebuilding on brownfield land in the longer term; the Affordable Rent programme; and estates regeneration.
The HCA also manages a diverse portfolio of 1,700 land and property assets, comprising more than 11,000 ha of landholdings.
The HCA employs around 730 people, with an annual operating budget in 2016/17 of £80 million. The HCA has principal offices in London, Warrington, Manchester, Leeds, Gateshead, Bristol, Birmingham, Nottingham, Bedford and Cambridge.
The Role of the HCA Board
The responsibilities of the Board include:
· Leading the HCA through a period of crucial change as the organisation responds to a fast-moving policy environment.
· Establishing the overall strategic direction of the HCA to deliver the corporate priorities and targets approved by the Secretary of State, within the policy and resources framework agreed with DCLG.
· Holding the HCA’s management to account for the effective use of public funds, value for money and achieving Ministers’ priority objectives and targets.
· Setting strategy and risk management policy for the investment portfolio in line with the Department’s risk appetite, receiving regular reports on the performance of the portfolio and exercising a challenge function of the investment unit.
· Overseeing the delivery of the Agency’s public land role, plus programmes and projects to deliver housing.
· Overseeing the advancement and recovery of equity and loans to support housing development.
· Ensuring that the HCA’s affairs are conducted with probity and that high standards of corporate governance are observed at all times.
Role Description
Board members have corporate responsibility for ensuring that the HCA fulfils the overall aims and objectives set out in the legislation and the priorities determined by the Secretary of State. Board members also have responsibility for ensuring that the HCA complies with any statutory or administrative requirements for the use of public funds and assets.
The Role
Board Members will:
· Establish the overall strategic direction of the HCA within the policy and resources framework agreed with DCLG, through development of the Corporate Plan and the HCA’s contribution to driving economic growth.
· Hold the HCA’s management to account for the effective use of public funds and driving value for money.
· Review, scrutinise and test regular financial data and other performance management information.
· Set strategy and risk management for the investment portfolio, receive regular reports on the performance of the portfolio, and exercise a challenge function of the investment unit.
· Oversee and contribute to the successful delivery of HCA’s public land role, plus its housing and regeneration programmes and projects.
· Approve individual projects within delegated authorities. Enable the Regulation Committee to discharge its regulation functions effectively and efficiently, in accordance with the regulatory framework.
· Work with HCA’s management to ensure the enhancement of the reputation of the Agency.
· Advise on the effective management of stakeholders.
· Ensure that the HCA’s affairs are conducted with probity, and that high standards of corporate governance are observed at all times.
· Ensure that the Board operates within the limits of its statutory authority and in accordance with the authority delegated from its sponsoring Department and with guidance issued by it.
· Comply at all times with the rules relating to the use of public funds and conflicts of interest.
· Act as a champion for the work and role of HCA at public events and meetings.
· Act in accordance with the seven principles of public life, full details of which are provided on page 11.
Person Specification
The successful candidate should be well informed about the HCA and the environment in which it operates. A proven track record of dealing with Government would be highly beneficial. Due to the increasingly commercial and evolving environment in which the HCA operates, the candidate must be able to demonstrate strong commercial and financial acumen.
Essential Criteria
· Evidence of strong business acumen.
· Substantial commercial background, ideally including experience of property and land.
· Strong understanding of governance and risk.
· Strong analytical skills evidenced in property development, finance or economic development.
· Experience in some or all of the following areas: surveying; construction; mixed use developments; housebuilding; finance; regeneration; joint ventures and bespoke delivery vehicles; planning and credit risk.
Desirable Criteria
· Track record of ensuring effective governance for high profile organisations, and management of organisations, particularly during a process of change.
· A good understanding of current housing market issues, including the delivery of both private rented and affordable housing.
· An understanding of the decision-making processes within public sector organisations.
· Professional qualifications and/or practical experience such as, but not limited to accountancy, chartered surveying and quantity surveying.
Terms and Conditions
Remuneration
The remuneration is set at £12,000 per annum for a time commitment of 2 days per month, however, the allowance will be adjusted pro rata, depending on Committee membership.
Period of Appointment
The appointment will be for 3 years.
Location
The location of the Homes and Communities Agency is Fry Building, 2 Marsham Street, London, SW1P 4DF. Board meetings are customarily held at this location, however, a small number of meetings may be held outside London.
Conflicts of Interest
As with any public appointment, it is important that the highest possible levels of probity and integrity are maintained. To that end, we ask that you give details of any business or other interests or any personal connections which, if you are appointed, could be misconstrued or cause embarrassment to the Agency or DCLG. These could include financial interests or share ownership, active connections within a field of expertise in which the Agency will work, membership of societies, activities, associations or employment of a partner or friend in the particular field in which the Agency will operate. The recruitment panel will explore potential conflicts of interest during the interview process.
Any statements you make will be treated confidentially and we will contact you to discuss any potential conflicts that might arise ahead of the sift process to explain what might be required if you are successful and check that you still wish your application to be considered. The sift panel may wish to explore any conflicts of interest at interview.
Please note that you cannot be a Board member of a Registered Provider. If you are currently a Registered Provider Board member, you would need to resign that position before taking this post.
Eligibility
To be eligible for employment, you will need to be either a UK national or a national of another European Economic Area Member State, or a Commonwealth citizen and have the right to work in the UK. Swiss nationals are also eligible. In addition, if you have dual nationality you will be eligible as long as one of the nationalities meets the requirements.
Security clearance
Before the appointment of the successful candidate can be confirmed, you will be subject to a Basic Disclosure Scotland check and Counter Terrorist Check.
How to Apply
All candidates are required to complete and submit the following:
1. A Curriculum Vitae which include your education and professional qualifications and full employment history (no more than 3 pages).
2. Covering letter explaining how you meet both the essential and desirable criteria for the role (no more than 3 pages) – please refer to the person specification section of this candidate pack
3. Diversity (Equal Opportunities) Monitoring Questionnaire – Annex A
4. Guaranteed interview scheme form – if applicable - Annex B
5. Conflict of Interest form – Annex C
6. Other Relevant Information Declaration Form – Annex D
7. List of referees – Annex E (The referees will be approached only if you are shortlisted for interview)
8. Publicity survey – Annex F
Your completed application should be returned by Midnight Thursday 6th July by email to
If you are unable to apply by email you may send your application by post to: Nina Shuttlewood, Department for Communities and Local Government, 1st Floor NE, 2 Marsham Street, London, SW1P 4DF.
Diversity Monitoring Questionnaire
The Department for Communities and Local Government is committed to providing equal opportunities for all and welcomes applications from candidates irrespective of race, age, disability, gender, marital status, religion, sexual orientation, transgender or working patterns.
Please complete this form and return it with your application. Please note the form will not be treated as part of your application. The data will be treated in the strictest confidence, and will be used for monitoring and statistical purposes only.
Political Activity Questionnaire
This questionnaire enables the monitoring of political activity of candidates for a public appointment insofar as it is already in the public domain.
Guaranteed Interview Scheme
DCLG uses the guaranteed interview scheme to help widen employment opportunities for disabled people. Applicants with disabilities who meet the criteria stated in the person specification and submit a completed 'Guaranteed Interview Scheme' form will be guaranteed an interview.
Other Relevant Information Declaration Form
Any appointee to a Public Body could find that matters or incidents which previously attracted no attention could become matters of public interest once the person concerned holds a public appointment.
The Selection and Recruitment Process
This process is being managed by the Department for Communities and Local Government. Any queries regarding the process should be directed to Nina Shuttlewood at
Commissioner for Public Appointments
All appointments are made following an open competition conducted in accordance with The Code of Practice published by the Commissioner for Public Appointments.
The Commissioner regulates and monitors appointments to public bodies to ensure procedures are fair, open and transparent and based on merit. More information about the role of the Commissioner and his Code of Practice is available from - http://publicappointmentscommissioner.independent.gov.uk
After the closing date applications will be carefully assessed by the appointment panel on their merits against the criteria as published and a short list for interview will be drawn up.
The panel for the HCA Board Member appointments will be:
1. Chair – Sir Edward Lister – Chair of the HCA Board
2. Helen MacNamara, Director General for Housing and Planning, DCLG
3. Alison Joy White – Non-Executive Director, QEII Conference Centre
It is vital that you provide evidence through worked examples to demonstrate that you meet each required criteria.
Interviews
Candidates who the panel considers meet the criteria for the posts and merit appointment will be recommended to the Secretary of State for consideration. The Secretary of State may choose to meet with appointable candidates before making a decision. If he does, he will meet all the candidates in the presence of the panel Chair or their nominated representative. The time taken between interview and a final appointment decision can sometimes take a number of weeks. Candidates who have been interviewed will be kept informed of progress.
Reasonable travel expenses will be payable for travel to and from the interview, in accordance with HCA guidelines.
Post Interview – Next Steps
Following the Ministerial decision on appointment, letters will be sent to all interviewees with the result. The successful candidate will be sent a letter of appointment to sign and return. They will also be asked to provide a biography which will accompany the Press Notice which will announce their appointment to the Board. Once the appointment commences training will be offered.
Complaints
If at any time during the appointments procedure you have reason to question your treatment, you should first address your complaints to the administration team (by email: or by post: Public Appointments, Partnership & Delivery Unit , Department for Communities and Local Government, 1st Floor NE, Fry Building, 2 Marsham Street, London, SW1P 4DF
If after investigation by the Department, you remain dissatisfied, you may take your complaint to the Commissioner for Public Appointments. Details on how to make a complaint can be found on the Commissioner’s website at: http://publicappointmentscommissioner.independent.gov.uk/what-we-do/complaints-and-investigations
Complaints should be lodged within 12 months of the appointment being made.
Anticipated Timetable
It is possible that timings may alter if interviews cannot be held on the expected date.
Date / Action19th June / Advert published
6th July / Closing date
15th September / Shortlisting - Consideration of applications
w/c 18th September / Shortlist to Ministers
w/c 9th October TBC / Notifications issued to those selected for interview & to unsuccessful applicants
Late October (dates TBC) / Panel Interviews
w/c 30th October TBC / Panel recommendation to the Minister on appointable candidates for consideration
Mid-late November / Appointment letter sent & brief biography of successful candidate requested
Early December / Board appointment effective date
The Seven Principles of Public Life
Selflessness