Vice Chair

About Us

Evolve is a leading homelessness charity in London, providing housing and support to over 1,300 people each year. We believe in building on people’s strengths, aspirations and goals to help break the cycle of homelessness and help them move forward with their lives.

Our mission is to help children, young people and adults who are homeless or at risk of homelessness reach their potential, and move on to live happy, fulfilled lives.

Background to the role

Evolve’s long-servicing Chair stepped down due to tenure served at the end of 2024, with our Vice Chair stepping up to Chair. We are now looking to bring support to the role of chairing the board with a Vice Chair who brings experience from the registered housing sector. Evolve is both a registered charity and a registered housing provider. Regulation is complex and ever-increasing for registered housing providers, and the voices of our customers need to take the right position in housing governance. 

Main Responsibilities

The Vice Chair is crucial to the successful running of the organisation. The Vice Chair, in partnership with the Chair, the Board and the Chief Executive, ensures that the organisation operates effectively, setting its strategic vision and delivering its Business Plan.  The Vice Chair assists the Chair in upholding and demonstrating excellence in governance and ensuring that the organisation works within the parameters laid down by its Articles of Association and all regulatory requirements.

Key Responsibilities:

• To assist the Chair in ensuring that the Board and the organisation operate effectively in accordance with the Articles of Association, demonstrating the highest standards of governance.
• To assist the Chair in ensuring that all the affairs of Evolve Housing + Support are carried out effectively and in compliance with the requirements of the Social Housing (Regulation) Act, Charities Act, the Companies Act and all regulatory bodies.
• To assist the Chair in ensuring effective internal controls are in place and to ensure compliance with internal financial regulations, standing orders and delegated authorities.

Person Specification

We are seeking to bring individuals to our board with senior level experience in one of these core areas: finance, housing management, maintenance, asset management, compliance, health & safety, development, and safeguarding in housing. It is not necessary to have held a board role previously, however, a knowledge of good governance principles is required.

Key requirements:

• Governance experience, member or Chair of a Board or similar, with knowledge of good governance practice.
• Experience at Executive level within a registered housing provider.
• Current working knowledge of regulatory requirements for social housing providers and key issues facing the sector.
• Strong commitment to equality and diversity; social justice and inclusion.
• Enabling and supportive management style that motivates the Chief Executive, other staff and the Board to deliver the best.

Diversity and inclusion 

Evolve Housing + Support is fully committed to equality of opportunity, and creating an inclusive culture across our organisation is at the heart of who we are. We actively encourage applications from suitably qualified candidates from all backgrounds, cultures, genders, and disabilities.

How to apply

Eastside People is supporting Evolve Housing + Support in the recruitment of this role. 

Please apply by submitting your CV and a cover letter after reviewing the recruitment pack. If you would like a call to discuss the role in more detail, please email John Sanger to arrange a convenient time. Having a call of this kind will not influence the success or otherwise of your application.

We want you to have every opportunity to demonstrate your skills, ability and potential; please contact us if you require any assistance or adjustment so that we can help with making the application process work for you. 

The closing date for applications is Monday 17th February.