This is an exciting opportunity to guide the future direction of North Downs Housing.
About the role
North Downs Housing Limited is an independent local housing company wholly owned by Guildford Borough Council. Established in 2016, it operates as a separate legal entity and manages a portfolio of approximately 91 sub-market and private rented homes in Guildford.
As North Downs Housing considers its future direction, it is seeking to strengthen its governance through the appointment of a Board Chair and Board Member. These appointments will bring independent expertise, fresh perspectives and strategic oversight to help consider and lead the organisation’s future direction and governance requirements.
We are seeking individuals with strong strategic, commercial and property-related experience. For the Board Chair role, North Downs Housing is seeking a proven Non-Executive Chair or similar senior leader with extensive senior executive-level experience in a relevant industry, sector or organisation, strong leadership and communication skills, financial acumen and a strong track record of building and sustaining effective relationships with key stakeholders.
For the Board Member role, North Downs Housing is particularly interested in senior-level strategic experience in one or more of the following areas:
- Housing sector knowledge and understanding of the operating environment
- Finance, Governance and Business Planning;
- Residential Development and Asset Management;
North Downs Housing is committed to ensuring diverse representation within the company and on its Board. The Chair will play an important role in promoting equity, diversity and inclusion and ensuring that all voices are heard and valued.
For further information about these opportunities and how to apply, please visit the recruitment website. If, having read the information, you would like an informal and confidential discussion about becoming the Chair or Board Member at North Downs Housing, please email nicholas.wallis@altairltd.co.uk who will arrange a time to speak with Sioned Hughes, Head of Recruitment at Altair Ltd.
Closing date: 10am, Monday 12 October 2026
Initial Interviews (virtual) – 22/23 October 2026
Panel Face-to-Face Interview (Guildford Council, Millmead House, Millmead, GU2 4BB) – 5 November 2026 (TBA)
How to apply
To apply, please complete our online registration form, attaching the following three documents in PDF or Word format:
- A detailed CV of no more than three pages of A4, including details of positions held and dates (including achievements relevant to a Board position).
- A supporting statement of no more than three pages of A4 demonstrating which skills and experiences you will bring to the Chair and/or Board Member role as outlined in PART ONE of the relevant person specification(s), that will help advance our mission? Please name the document ‘Supporting statement’ and your name.
- Full contact details (name, phone, and email) two referees (including your current employer, if applicable). Please upload these separately from your CV and note that we will not take up references without your permission.
We kindly ask all applicants to complete our brief online recruitment monitoring form, as it plays a crucial role in helping us improve our commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion. Your responses are completely anonymous and will greatly contribute to fostering a fair and inclusive recruitment process. Once completed, the form will be sent directly to Altair.
You will receive an automated acknowledgment (Please check your junk folder, as it may go in there). Your application will be treated with the strictest confidence.
Important Dates
Please note that interview dates are currently indicative and may be subject to change.
- Closing date: 10am, Monday 12 October 2026
- Initial Interviews (virtual) – 22/23 October 2026
- Panel Face-to-Face Interview (Guildford Council, Millmead House, Millmead, GU2 4BB) – 5 November 2026 (TBA)
The role reference code is ALT391.
If you would like an informal and confidential discussion about becoming the Chair or Board Member at North Downs Housing Association, please, email nicholas.wallis@altairltd.co.uk who will arrange a time to speak with our retained advisor at Altair Ltd, Sioned Hughes, Head of Recruitment.
