Non-Executive Director, Finance, Great Places
Great Places approached Neemar Search at a pivotal point in its organisational journey. With a new Chair confirmed, a Chief Executive only one year into post and the formation of a new Growth Committee on the horizon, the organisation was entering a period of significant opportunity, alongside increased regulatory scrutiny. Following a G2 regulatory grading, there was a renewed focus on governance, assurance and Board effectiveness.
The Challenge
Against this backdrop, the Board recognised the need to strengthen its Audit & Risk Committee. While the Committee possessed strong technical capability, there was an opportunity to broaden the diversity of thought, governance experience and strategic challenge around the board table. The successful candidate would need to bring credibility within a regulated environment, exceptional governance credentials and experience of leading organisations through periods of transformation.
Alongside strengthening capability, Great Places was committed to ensuring its Board better reflected the diverse communities it serves. The appointment therefore needed to enhance both the Committee's technical expertise and its breadth of perspective, supporting the organisation's long-term ambition to deliver outstanding governance and customer outcomes.
The Solution
Neemar Search worked in close partnership with the Chair, Chief Executive and Governance Team to develop a values-led search strategy focused on long-term Board effectiveness rather than technical expertise alone. Together, we created a bespoke evaluation framework aligned to Great Places' values, regulatory environment and future strategic priorities, assessing candidates against governance capability, leadership maturity, customer focus and their ability to provide constructive challenge.
Recognising that the strongest Board candidates are often identified through reputation rather than application, we leveraged the strength of the Neemar Search Communities and executive referral network. Through confidential soft referencing, we secured more than 50 peer recommendations from respected leaders across the housing sector and wider corporate market, enabling us to access exceptional individuals who were not actively seeking new Board opportunities.
Diversity was embedded throughout the search process from the outset. The resulting longlist comprised 75% female candidates, 50% candidates from ethnically diverse backgrounds and 25% individuals with lived experience of social housing, ensuring Great Places had access to a broad range of perspectives while maintaining an uncompromising focus on governance excellence, strategic capability and cultural alignment.
This rigorous and inclusive approach enabled the Board to consider an outstanding shortlist of leaders capable of strengthening governance, supporting executive leadership and helping guide the organisation through its next phase of development.
The Outcome
The search resulted in the appointment of Archana Makol, an accomplished governance leader with extensive executive and non-executive experience across highly regulated organisations.
As Senior Independent Director at Accent Housing, Archana had played a pivotal role in supporting the appointment of a new Chief Executive and guiding the organisation through a significant period of Board transition, experience that directly aligned with the challenges facing Great Places.
Alongside her housing governance expertise, Archana brought an exceptional executive background. As Chief Counsel at BT, she advised on enterprise risk, health and safety, corporate governance and complex legal matters whilst leading large multidisciplinary teams. She also served as Managing Director and Compliance Officer for BT Law Ltd, leading transformational programmes and major outsourcing initiatives before joining DWF as Client Services Director, where she led transformational claims management services across a range of complex risk portfolios.
The Impact
Archana's appointment significantly strengthened the capability of the Audit & Risk Committee, bringing deep expertise in governance, legal risk, regulatory assurance and organisational transformation. Beyond her technical credentials, Archana's collaborative leadership style, strategic judgement and ability to navigate complex change have provided the Board with a confident, credible voice during an important period in Great Places' evolution.
Today, her contribution continues to strengthen Board effectiveness, enhance governance oversight and provide the assurance and strategic challenge required to support Great Places as it delivers its long-term ambitions.
Candidate Testimonial
"Working with the team at Neemar Search was a genuinely positive experience from beginning to end. They were easy to work with, honest and personable, whilst maintaining the highest levels of professionalism throughout the process. What particularly stood out was the responsiveness and joined-up approach. Every interaction felt coordinated, communication was clear, and I always felt supported and well informed. Tom was always available when needed, taking the time to answer questions, provide insight and ensure I felt fully prepared at every stage.”
Client Testimonial
“What sets Neemar apart is the time they invest in understanding both the organisation and the people around the Board table. They don't simply recruit against a specification; they take the time to understand the strategic context, the Board dynamics and the type of individual who will make a lasting contribution. We were delighted with the appointment of Archana Makol. She has brought exceptional governance expertise, strategic thinking and a calm, collaborative approach that has strengthened the Committee from day one. Her experience and perspective have been invaluable as we continue to evolve our governance arrangements and deliver against our long-term ambitions. I would have no hesitation in recommending Tom and the Neemar Search team to any organisation looking for a long-term executive search partner who consistently delivers outstanding Board appointments."
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