Governance and Executive
The board and leadership team working together in a clear and focused way is fundamental to the successful delivery of our strategy. Our governance and senior team structures are fully aligned to support the delivery of our strategy.
The Bernicia Group comprises a main social housing company (the Parent) and one subsidiary board: Kingston (the Commercial Board). The structure is shown below:
and Group Parent)
Governance
Our Group board is supported by five Committees:
Audit and Risk: Internal and external audit, risk landscape and internal controls and assurance.
Investment: New development and existing stock improvement and repairs and maintenance.
Customer Services: Service delivery, tenant involvement and engagement, customer experience and insight.
Remuneration, Resources and Appointments: Advising board on governance, remuneration and Board and Committee appointments.
Community Investment: Employability and corporate social responsibility, community projects, procurement social value and neighbourhood grants.
The Board and committees meet regularly throughout the year to oversee Bernicia’s performance, make key decisions and set future direction. There are typically six Board meetings and two strategy days each year. Meetings follow a set agenda to ensure decisions are made in a consistent and transparent way. The 2026 meeting dates are available to view in our 2026 calendar.
- Corporate strategy
- Business plans and budgets
- Risk appetite
- Major investment decisions
- Governance arrangements
- Annual accounts
- Tenant Voice Panel
- Customer scrutiny and consultation activities
- Complaints and feedback processes
- Tenant Satisfaction Measures
- Engagement activities and focus groups
- Performance reporting
- Risk management processes
- Internal and external audit
- Regulatory compliance monitoring
- Independent reviews and specialist assurance work
- Customer feedback and scrutiny
Board members bring a range of skills, experience and perspectives to support effective decision-making. Appointments are made through an open and transparent recruitment process and are based on the skills and experience required by the organisation. Bernicia is committed to maintaining a diverse Board that reflects the communities it serves. We have a Board Membership and Recruitment Policy and a Statement of Preferred Composition to support this.
Information about current Board members and committee membership is available below.
Executive Team
The Chief Executive provides the overall strategic leadership, ensuring that Bernicia is working positively and collaboratively to help deliver the regional agenda, supported by four Executive Directors, each with responsibility for a key strategic objective.
Our Executive team are supported by a hardworking and dedicated Senior Leadership Team that effectively contribute to strategy development while delivering strong operational and financial performance.
The key strategic objectives are:
- Investing in Homes and Communities
- Listening and Delivering Value for Money Services
- Demonstrating Organisational Effectiveness
- Working Collaboratively to support Opportunity Across the North East
Executive structure
This structure shows the Chief Executive, executive leads and senior leadership team areas.
Meet our Board of Directors
Fundamental to the successful delivery of our strategy is the board and leadership team working together in a clear and focused way. Find out more about who they are.
Meet our Executive Team
The Executive Team leads the delivery of Bernicia's strategy, helping us invest in homes, strengthen communities and support opportunity across the North East. Find out more about the people responsible for shaping our future and ensuring we continue to deliver for our customers and communities.
Meet our Customer Services Committee
The Customer Services Committee focuses on the Group’s tenant facing service delivery. It provides oversight of our approach to tenant involvement and influence and the improvement of customer experience through insight. The Committee also reviews reports against key performance indicators and strategic priorities.
Meet our Audit and Risk Committee
The Audit and Risk Committee has responsibility for the effectiveness of the Group’s internal control framework. The Committee also monitors and reviews the financial performance and considers the annual financial statements, making recommendation of their approval by Group Board. In doing so, the committee works effectively with both the Group’s internal and external auditors.
Meet our Investment Committee
The Investment Committee reviews the Group’s major development proposals and investment in existing schemes, making recommendations to the Group Board. They also review how the repairs service is performing and holds the organisation to account for delivering a reliable service to customers.
Meet our Remuneration, Resources and Appointments Committee
The Remuneration, Resources and Appointments Committee is responsible for advising board on governance, remuneration and Board and Committee appointments.
Meet our Community Investment Committee
The Community Investment Committee oversees the delivery of our Community Investment Strategy. This is about the support we provide, alongside quality homes, to help people live well and thrive in their communities. The Committee makes sure this work supports Bernicia's wider goals and meets relevant regulatory requirements.
Meet our Commercial Board
Fundamental to the successful delivery of our commercial strategy is the board and leadership team working together in a clear and focused way.
Declaration of interests
View Bernicia’s annual declaration of interests register for board, committee and executive members, published in line with the NHF Code of Governance 2020 to support transparency and accountability.
Key Governance documents
View how Bernicia’s governance is structured and the mix of skills needed to run it well. It also shows how our current Board reflects this approach.
How we are regulated
Find out how Bernicia is regulated as a social landlord, the standards we must meet, your rights as a tenant, and our current regulatory judgement.
