Project Background
Great Places Housing Group, a major northern provider managing over 25,000 homes, engaged Neemar Search to strengthen its board during a period of strategic growth. With increased focus on development, retrofit, ESG, and customer services, the 14-week assignment aimed to appoint five senior leaders across key governance areas. Roles included the Chair and two members of the Audit & Risk Committee, a Board Member for the Customer Committee, and one for the Development Committee. The goal was to enhance board capacity in finance, risk, customer engagement, and development, while aligning with Great Places’ core values of fairness, care, partnership, appreciation, and innovation.
Our Approach
Neemar Search led a tailored executive search process including:
- Talent mapping across housing, finance, infrastructure, and regulated sectors
- Inclusive search practices prioritising underrepresented and lived-experience candidates
- Values-based assessments integrated into every stage
- Role-specific strategies aligned to committee needs
- Deep engagement with the Chair, CEO, and governance lead
- Creation of bespoke candidate materials outlining Great Places’ socio-political and financial context
Key Challenges and Solutions
1. Technical Governance Needs
Required deep audit, financial reporting, and risk expertise. We prioritised candidates with formal accountancy qualifications and ESG fluency through parallel search streams.
2. Capacity for Strategic Growth
Needed board members to support transformation across development and customer service. We identified candidates from fast-paced, regulated environments with dual housing-sector experience.
3. Values-Driven Cultural Fit
Great Places prioritised empathy and community connection alongside technical skills. We embedded values alignment and emotional intelligence assessments into the selection process.
Outcomes
- 100% fill rate across all targeted roles, time to fill 14 weeks (as agreed)
- Strengthened board capacity in financial and risk oversight
- Embedded strong leadership within a newly formed Customer Committee
- Supported Great Places' continued transformation through aligned, strategic board appointments
Appointed Candidates
Chair of Audit & Risk: Keith Ward
Non-Executive Director (Audit & Risk): Simran Soin, Independent Committee: Matthew Hemmings
Non-Executive Director (Customer Committee): Nicki Clegg
Development Committee: JP Case, Dean Clegg
