Plus Dane appoints lived experience Board member

Plus Dane has appointed Angela Needham to its Board as a customer with lived experience of its services.  

Angela, from Cheshire, was formerly the chair of the housing association’s Customer Assurance Panel, or CAP.  

She has nearly 20 years experience of working within housing, latterly working with all local authorities and housing associations in the UK as Operations Manager for a tenant mobility service, and has been part of a senior management team reporting directly to the Housing Minister.  

Angela’s community work included running women’s refuges and youth counselling, and currently undertakes voluntary work with the National Trust and the Canal & River Trust. She has been appointed to Plus Dane’s Board as part of our succession planning.   

The Lived Experience Board member role is part of Plus Dane’s ongoing commitment to making sure the customer voice is heard and represented throughout the organisation. Angela took up the role at the start of August, as well as a seat on the Purpose Committee, which is focussed on overseeing the organisation’s key business functions and delivery of its social purpose, while making sure the needs of current and future customers are at the heart of its decision-making.  

Alison Horner, director of governance at Plus Dane, said: “We are delighted to welcome Angela onto our Board.  As a Board member with lived experience of being a Plus Dane customer along with her housing background, she will be able to provide a valuable insight into the effect of Plus Dane’s policies and services on customers. 

“In March this year, the Board approved Plus Dane’s 3-year corporate plan, setting out a new vision of quality homes, great services and vibrant communities. Angela, along with our new independent committee members Amanda and David, join us at an exciting time as we begin to deliver those new objectives.” 

Angela Needham said: “I am pleased to be joining Plus Dane’s Board at a time when social housing is again taking precedence in government policy. 

From my role on the Customer Assurance Panel I have seen that Plus Dane is committed to hearing the voice of its customers in how it shapes its policies and services. As a Board member I look forward to working with colleagues to ensure the customer remains at the forefront of all Plus Dane’s activities.” 

Amanda Graham (another CAP member), and David Foxcroft have been appointed independent members of the Purpose Committee. Amanda has been a shared owner tenant with Plus Dane since 2019 and David has significant experience of being a Board member and a background in areas such as retail, local government and Housing.  

For more information about Plus Dane’s Board and committees click here: who we are (plusdane.co.uk).