Agenda item

This report recommends five appointments to the board of Directors of the Council’s wholly owned housing companies, i4B Holdings Ltd (“i4B”) and First Wave Housing Ltd. (“FWH”).

In considering the report Cabinet noted the comments made by Andrew Hudson (as Chair of the i4b & First Wave Housing Boards) thanking the outgoing Board members for their valued contributions and commitment during their term of office and in support of the proposed appointment of the new Directors & non-executive Directors outlined in the report, given the combination of experience and expertise it was felt they would continue to provide in the ongoing management of both Boards.

Having noted the recruitment process undertaken, Cabinet RESOLVED to:

(1)       Approve the appointment of Waqar Ahmed and Mannie Ketley as non-executive, independent Directors of i4B and FWH for a period of three years from 1 September 2025.

(2)       Approve the appointment of Sadie East and Serita Kwofie as senior council officer Directors of i4B and FWH for a period of three years from 4 August 2025 and Nicole Jarrett-Francis as a senior council officer Director of i4B and FWH for a period of three years from 1 October 2025.

(3)       Note that Peter Gadsdon had stepped down as a Director of i4B and FWH as of 31 March 2025 following his retirement from the council, that Melanie Smith would step down as a Director on 30 September 2025 when she retired from the council, and that Akintoye Doruwoju would step down as a Director from 1 September 2025, following the end of his term of appointment.

(4)       Note the increase in number of Directors of i4B and FWH from five to seven to reflect the growth of the companies.

Eligible for call-in: Yes

Deadline for submission of call-in: 6pm on Monday 4 August 25

Councillor Donnelly-Jackson (Cabinet Member for Housing) introduced a report from the Corporate Director Finance & Resources seeking approval to various appointments to the Board of Directors of the Council’s wholly owned housing companies i4B Holdings Ltd and First Wave Housing Ltd.

In presenting the report, Cabinet were reminded of the important role played by both companies in seeking to support the Council in tackling the current housing crisis as one of the most urgent and significant challenges faced across the borough, with support expressed at the bold and innovative contribution they played in seeking to provide safe, secure, and affordable homes for residents across Brent.

In commending the work of both companies, the specific role played by i4B in enabling the Council to directly invest in housing for local people, acquiring homes, bringing properties back into use, and providing quality, well-managed housing for families who otherwise be in temporary accommodation or at risk of homelessness was recognised as an example of local leadership in being able to utilise the levers of local government not only to outsource responsibility but also to take ownership of the housing challenge and deliver change.

In terms of the expansion of both Boards, members were advised this would involve and increase from five to seven members, reflecting the growth and increasing complexity of the companies, and the seriousness in which they and the Council approached good governance, accountability, and oversight.  In welcoming the proposed appointments of Sadie East, Serita Kwofie, and Nicole Jarrett-Francis (as senior officers from across the council whose local knowledge and commitment to public service it was felt would provide invaluable expertise) members were also keen to recognise the way in which they would be supported by the proposed appointment of Waqar Ahmed and Mannie Ketley (following a rigorous external selection process) as independent voices designed to ensure provision of the necessary mix of experience, challenge, and strategic vision.

At the same time, the opportunity was also taken to formally thank Peter Gadsdon, Melanie Smith, and Akintoye Durowoju as outgoing Directors for their contributions to both Boards, recognising the way they had helped shape i4B and First Wave into well-respected and effective organisations with a growing impact.

In considering the report Cabinet also welcomed and noted the comments made by Andrew Hudson (as Chair of the i4b & First Wave Housing Boards) thanking the outgoing Board members for their valued contributions and commitment during their term of office and in support of the proposed appointment of the new Directors & non-executive Directors outlined in the report, given the combination of experience and expertise it was felt they would continue to provide in the ongoing management of both Boards.

In support of the proposed appointments, members were keen to recognise the positive impact of both companies and, whilst ensuring that the necessary level of accountability and oversight was maintained, also welcomed the refreshed and expanded membership on both Boards as a means of ensuring a continued focus in seeking to raise standards, drive innovation, and deliver on the Council’s commitment to putting residents first.

Having noted the recruitment process undertaken, Cabinet RESOLVED to:

(1)       Approve the appointment of Waqar Ahmed and Mannie Ketley as non-executive, independent Directors of i4B and FWH for a period of three years from 1 September 2025.

(2)       Approve the appointment of Sadie East and Serita Kwofie as senior council officer Directors of i4B and FWH for a period of three years from 4 August 2025 and Nicole Jarrett-Francis as a senior council officer Director of i4B and FWH for a period of three years from 1 October 2025.

(3)       Note that Peter Gadsdon had stepped down as a Director of i4B and FWH as of 31 March 2025 following his retirement from the council, that Melanie Smith would step down as a Director on 30 September 2025 when she retired from the council, and that Akintoye Doruwoju would step down as a Director from 1 September 2025, following the end of his term of appointment.

(4)       Note the increase in number of Directors of i4B and FWH from five to seven to reflect the growth of the companies.