Find out how you can get involved with member groups in the East Midlands.
If you have any questions about our groups, contact:
East Midlands Chief Executives Forum
This quarterly forum is open to all housing association chief executives whose organisations operate in the East Midlands, and acts as a place where chief executives can share information, challenges, expertise and best practice on the strategic issues that matter to them, as well as influencing the Federation’s work. This group is chaired by Chan Kataria (emh).
East Midlands Sounding Board
The Sounding Board is a small focus group of between six and nine Chief Executives that works closely with the External Affairs Manager, helping to direct and deliver the Chief Executives Forums as well as the Federation’s wider work across the East Midlands, including stakeholder engagement and lobbying activities.
Membership of the Sounding Board is reviewed annually. Members of the Sounding Board:
- Chan Kataria, Group Chief Executive, East Midlands Housing Group (Chair)
- Mike Andrews, Chief Executive, NCHA
- Matt Cooney, Group Chief Executive, PA Housing
- Phil Hardy, Group Director of Operations, Grand Union Housing Group
- Murray Macdonald, Chief Executive, Boston Mayflower
- Peter McCormack, Chief Executive, Derwent Living
- Jo Savage, Chief Executive, Wellingborough Homes
- Lindsey Williams, Group Chief Executive, Futures Housing Group
If you are interested in joining the Sounding Board, please contact Wendy Taylor.
Midlands Health, Care and Support Group
This group offers providers of care and support a forum to discuss issues related to all elements of supported housing including health and care integration, welfare reform, homelessness and contracting and commissioning, as well as sharing good practice and raising common issues for discussion and guidance.
It is a great way to meet people from other care and support providers and understand the shared challenges the sector is facing, with input from guest speakers at every session.
Chair: Jo Grainger, EMH
Midlands Communications Network
This network provides an opportunity to share expertise and good practice as well as joining forces for specific projects and campaigns and participating in National Housing Federation media campaigns. It is a great way to meet comms people from other member organisations and understand the shared challenges the sector is facing.
Chair: Ed Thomas, Wrekin Housing Trust
Federation contact: Andrew Carruthers
Midlands Development Group
The group meets four times a year to discuss the latest development issues and input into national and local policy work.
The group is for senior managers with strategic development responsibility in their organisations and has guest speakers who bring their expertise and experience to share.
It is a great way to learn more about what is happening in development across the Midlands and meet development people from other member organisations.
Chair: Chris Jones, EMH group
Federation contact: Hannah Crossan-Smith
Midlands Finance Forum
This group offers finance and resource directors the opportunity to share best practice, keep abreast of current developments, and network with colleagues from other organisations.
Chair: Stuart Kellas, WM Housing Group
Midlands Governance Group
Aimed at company secretaries and others in related roles this group provides an opportunity for discussion of issues related to governance and compliance matters.
The group invites a guest speaker to each session, to share their expertise on specific topics, and is a great way to meet governance professionals from other member organisations to develop peer support networks.
Chair: Joanne Tilley, EMH
Midlands Welfare Reform and Financial Inclusion Group
This group brings together practitioners from housing associations to discuss and share current financial inclusion activity and support people in planning their work with financially excluded tenants.
As well as promoting joined up working, sessions involve external specialist speakers and look ahead to the challenges posed by external factors such as welfare reform and changes in financial legislation.
The group meets four times a year at venues across the Midlands.
Chair: Martin Jones, Midland Heart
Midlands Network for Resident Involvement
The Midland network for resident involvement (MNRI) group has more than 60 member organisations represented, this group shares best practice and also resources, getting better value for money and encouraging partnership working. The group also delivers joint events and has recently launched a joint training academy.
Joint Chairs: Sally Debiage, Longhurst Group and Jess Allan, Bournville Village Trust
