As part of their commitment to delivering tailored specialist services, The Calico Group have appointed the ‘new generation’ of board members; a more diverse, younger and more representative Board of the future. Those new board members have now begun their journey helping to make a real difference to the lives of their local communities.
The newly appointed ‘New Generation Board’ will now embark on a structured 2-year training programme, which will include involvement in discussion groups, community meetings, listening to customer feedback groups, with the goal being a full Board member role within The Calico Group.
These positions further enhance The Calico’s Group’s status as an Inclusive Top 50 UK employer for 2020/21, with the New Generation Board programme having been developed alongside The Housing Diversity Network (HDN)
Yvonne Davies, a consultant at HDN, ran the pilots of the award winning programme with Together Housing Group and Progress Housing Group 2019-21, which has already produced 5 active full board members
She said “The housing sector has struggled to recruit young and diverse board members for far too long.
The pilot programme proved that we could recruit based on values and behaviours and train and mentor the skills required to compete for board positions over 2 years. It works, the whole sector should be doing this. Well done Calico for joining the HDN programme.”
Rafida Khaliq, one of the successful New Generation Board members at Calico, is already feeling the benefits of the programme; “I’m enjoying the workshops that Calico have put together and really looking forward to the first full meeting. The chance to train up to be able to gain greater insight and confidence was what appealed to me to join the Diversity Board and that too from an organisation that has made such a big impact on our community was a bonus!”
George Kimmance added. ‘I am feeling excited and optimistic about starting the New Generation Board Member, and I think it’s a fantastic opportunity to break the norm and give young people a chance to learn and develop their skills, helping them to contribute at an executive level. Allowing young people from diverse backgrounds to make a real social impact.’
