Purpose of report: To request the Shareholder and Joint Venture group to appoint the new Managing Director of the Oxford City Housing group to the Board of each of the three housing group companies

Recommendation: That the Shareholder and Joint Venture Group resolves to

Appoint Helen Horne, the newly appointed Managing Director of the Oxford City Housing Group as a Board director of each of Oxford City Housing Limited (“OCHL”), Oxford City Housing (Development) Limited (“OCHDL”) and Oxford City Housing (Investment) Limited (“OCHIL”), such appointment to take effect as from 31st August 2021, the date of commencement of her appointment as Managing Director.

The Company Secretary recommended the appointment of Helen Horne as Managing Director, as set out in his report.

The Shareholder and Joint Venture Group resolved to:

appoint Helen Horne, the newly appointed Managing Director of the Oxford City Housing Group as a Board director of each of Oxford City Housing Limited (“OCHL”), Oxford City Housing (Development) Limited (“OCHDL”) and Oxford City Housing (Investment) Limited (“OCHIL”), such appointment to take effect as from 31st August 2021, the date of commencement of her appointment as Managing Director.

The Company Secretary has submitted a report on recent developments in regard to the composition of the Boards of three Housing Group companies, seeking confirmation of recent appointments.

Recommendation: that the Shareholder and Joint Venture Group agrees the four recommendations in the report.

The Company Secretary presented the report which detailed recent appointments to the executive management team and in the composition of the Boards of the three Housing Group companies.

The Shareholder and Joint Venture Group resolved to:

1.     Note that the Housing Group of companies had made the changes set out in the report (as previously authorised in principle by the Shareholder and Joint Venture Group) in regard to the composition of the Boards of each of three Housing Group companies: Oxford City Housing Limited; Oxford City Housing (Development) Limited and Oxford City Housing (Investment) Limited (collectively “the Housing Group”).

2.     Note that Kerry Kyriacou and Rosemary Farrar, who were appointed as non-executive directors of the Housing Group in January 2020, were now recorded at Companies House as Board directors of the Housing Group.

3.     Confirm the appointment of Richard Connolly as the third non-executive director of the Housing Group, and note his continuing appointment as a Board director.

4.     Confirm the appointment of Mike Day as the Managing Director of the Housing Group and approve his appointment as a Board Director of the Housing Group for registration at Companies House.

The Shareholder and Joint Venture Group recorded its thanks to Richard Connolly for his work as interim Managing Director and looked forward to his continuing involvement as a Non-Executive Director to the Housing Group of companies.

The Chair welcomed Mike Day to his first meeting of the Shareholder and Joint Venture Group.

Councillor Turner left the meeting at the end of this item.

The Company Secretary of the Housing Group of Companies has submitted a report which sets out the process through which it is intended that up to three non-executive directors be selected and appointed to join the company Boards as the appointment of  non-executive directors, to the Housing Group is a matter reserved for the Shareholder. 

Recommendations:That the Shareholder  and Joint Venture Group resolves to:

1.    Note that the Housing Group of companies wishes to proceed with the recruitment of up to three non-executive directors for the Housing Group to strengthen the existing Boards;

2.    Nominate two members of the Shareholder and Joint Venture Group to participate in the recruitment and selection process, to include membership of the interview panel, one of whom to be the Chair of the Shareholder and Joint Venture Group;

3.    Following the selection of the successful candidate(s), to delegate authority to the Chair of the Shareholder and Joint Venture Group to appoint the successful candidate(s) as Board Director(s) of the Housing Group.

The appendix to this report will be issued as a supplement.

The Company Secretary introduced the report which set out a process to appoint up to three non-executive directors. The value of bringing in external expertise was undoubted. Officers reported that a shortlisting process was already underway from a very strong field of potential candidates.

The Shareholder and Joint Venture Group resolved to:

1.    Note that the Housing Group of companies wishes to proceed with the recruitment of up to three non-executive directors for the Housing Group to strengthen the existing Boards;

2.    Nominate up to two members of the Shareholder and Joint Venture Group to participate in the recruitment and selection process, to include membership of the interview panel, one of whom to be the Chair of the Shareholder and Joint Venture Group; and

3.    Following the selection of the successful candidate(s), to delegate authority to the Chair of the Shareholder and Joint Venture Group to appoint the successful candidate(s) as Board Director(s) of the Housing Group.

The Company Secretary of the Housing Group of Companies has submitted a report  which sets out the process through which it is intended that a new Managing Director be selected and appointed to join the Board.The appointment of Board Directors to the Housing Group is a matter reserved for the Shareholder. 

Recommendations:That the Shareholder  and Joint Venture Group resolves to:

1.    Note that Oxford City Council, on behalf of the Housing Group, is proceeding with the recruitment of a Managing Director for the Housing Group for an initial fixed term of 2 years, to replace the current Interim Managing Director;

2.    Nominate two members of the Shareholder and Joint Venture Group to participate in the recruitment and selection process, to include membership of the interview panel, one of whom to be the Chair of the Shareholder and Joint Venture Group;

3.    Following the selection of the successful candidate, to delegate authority to the Chair of the Shareholder and Joint Venture Group to appoint the successful candidate as a Board Director to the Housing Group for the term of his/her appointment as interim Managing Director.

The appendix to this report will be issued as a supplement.

Cllr Chapman left at the end of this item

The Company Secretary introduced the report which set out the process through which it was intended to select and appoint a  new Managing Director to the Housing Group of Companies.

The Shareholder  and Joint Venture Group resolved to:

1.    Note that Oxford City Council, on behalf of the Housing Group, is proceeding with the recruitment of a Managing Director for the Housing Group for an initial fixed term of 2 years, to replace the current Interim Managing Director;

2.    Nominate up to two members of the Shareholder and Joint Venture Group to participate in the recruitment and selection process, to include membership of the interview panel, one of whom to be the Chair of the Shareholder and Joint Venture Group;and

3.    Following the selection of the successful candidate, to delegate authority to the Chair of the Shareholder and Joint Venture Group to appoint the successful candidate as a Board Director to the Housing Group for the term of his/her appointment as interim Managing Director.

The Company Secretary will present this item.

Recommendation(s):

That the Housing Group Shareholder resolves to:

1.       Appoint Richard Connolly as a Director of Oxford City Housing Limited, Oxford City Housing (Development) Limited and Oxford City Housing (Investment) Limited with immediate effect.

The Company Secretary presented the report. Councillor Rowley commended the appointment of Richard Connolly to the Shareholder.

The Housing Group Shareholder resolved to:

1.       Appoint Richard Connolly as a Director of Oxford City Housing Limited, Oxford City Housing (Development) Limited and Oxford City Housing (Investment) Limited with immediate effect.

In discussion the Shareholder requested that the Monitoring Officer and Company officers provide a briefing paper on the selection process for Company Directors and specifically on the role of the Shareholder in the selection process.

The Company Secretary will present this item.

The Company Secretary presented this item. 

The Shareholder noted Jane Winfield’s credentials and commercial experience, particularly with regard to the Barton development.