Board and trustees

Board and Trustees

C31. What are the demographics of the board? And how does this compare to the demographics of the housing provider’s residents, and the area that they operate in?

In 22/23, the board held a dedicated development session on board diversity before embarking on recruitment for new members.

The 22/23 data found in this table is shared annually with the National Housing Federation for benchmarking:

C32. What % of the board AND management team have turned over in the last two years? 

Of the 12 members of the board, we had two leavers in the last two years. Of the two, one had reached the end of their tenure. 

Our Leadership Management Team (LMT) consists of:  

• 1 Chief Executive 
• 4 Executive Directors 
• 3 Directors 
• 16 Assistant Directors
• 1 Managing Director and 4 Directors at 54North

One Executive Director, one Managing Director and one Assistant Director have left over the last two years, giving a total management turnover of 10%.

C33. Is there a maximum tenure for a board member? If so, what is it? 

In line with the NHF 2020 Code of Governance, the maximum tenure for our board members is normally six years (comprising two three-year terms). Where a board member has served six years, in exceptional circumstances and where the board agrees that it is in Karbon's best interests, their tenure may be extended in one-year terms up to a maximum of nine years. 

C34. What % of the board are non-executive directors? 

91.7%. There are 12 members of the Karbon Homes Board, 11 are non-executive directors.  

C35. Number of board members on the Audit Committee with recent and relevant financial experience 

Five out of the current six board members on the Group Audit and Risk Committee have recent and relevant financial experience. 

C36. Are there any current executives on the Remuneration Committee? 

No 

C37. Has a succession plan been provided to the board in the last 12 months? 

Yes. Our code of governance requires that we have a formal succession and board development plan. We report compliance with the code of governance each July along with our financial statements and annual accounts.  

C38. For how many years has the housing provider’s current external audit partner been responsible for auditing the accounts?  

Beever and Struthers has been our external audit firm/partner for nine years, although the specific Audit Partner (the individual who conducts the audit) changed in 2022.  

C39. When was the last independently run, board effectiveness review? 

The last board effectiveness review was carried out by Campbell Tickell in December 2020. We also carry out internal effectiveness reviews of Boards and Committees every year and, in line with governance best practice, we are intending to carry out a new independent board effectiveness review in 23/24.  

C40. Are the roles of the Chair of the board and CEO held by two different people? 

Yes. Sir David Bell is the Chair and Paul Fiddaman is the CEO.  

C41. How does the housing provider handle conflicts of interest at the board? 

Board members complete an annual declaration of interests and inform us of any changes during the year in line with our Code of Conduct. At board and committee meetings, members raise any potential conflicts of interest for the business being discussed. The member may then be asked not to contribute to the decision or to leave while the business is discussed.