Pathway to Board, a programme aimed at supporting Black, Asian and minority ethnic individuals to be Board ready, is celebrating the launch of its second cohort following a successful first year.
The programme was first launched in 2022 when representatives from CCHA, Taff, Linc Cymru, Cadwyn and Hafod housing associations, recognised that their Boards were not diverse enough. When they took positive action to address the issue, the interest was overwhelming.
Anuja Ramachandran was one of the first people to join the programme. Speaking at the time, Anuja said:
Following completion of the programme, Anuja went on to become the first member of the cohort to be appointed to a Board, joining Cynon Taf Community Housing Group as Non-Executive Director. She was swiftly followed by six other fellow cohort members including Reham Bassal who stepped into a Board position at WCVA and Tobi Owolabi who joined the Board at CCHA.
The successful programme has now bolstered further support for the second year with Welsh housing associations Newport City Homes, United Welsh, and Wales and West Housing joining the original five associations as members. The members of the programme contribute financially and are supported by the following partner organisations who volunteer their time and expertise through training sessions or mentoring opportunities:
- Academi Wales
- Acorn Executive Recruitment
- Blake Morgan
- Bron Afon Housing Assocation
- Caredig
- Centrus
- Chartered Institute of Housing
- Cynon Taf Housing Association
- Darwin Gray
- Goodson Thomas
- Hugh James
- Mazars
- Melin Homes
- Pobl
- Principality
- Qualifications Wales
- Tai Pawb
- Welsh Refugee Council
- YMCA
Pathway to Board Project Manager, Afshan Iqbal, who will be supporting the 15 new cohort members said:
Organisations looking to diversify their Board, can get in touch with the Pathway to Board programme by emailing afshan.iqbal@ccha.org.uk.