Carol Rosati OBE
Non Executive DIrector
I have worked at Board level for many years and am connected to many of the most senior Board members in the UK and US. In 2014 I became a NED at Southern Housing, one of the South East’s largest housing associations, providing homes for more than 72,000 people, with a turnover of c£230m and a surplus of £38m 2018. Although a not for profit organisation, It is run as a business with social objectives and as a board member I am responsible for ensuring value for money by setting and monitoring the delivery of the strategy. The Board evaluates and approves developments and renewal schemes, evaluates risk and reviews and approves the annual budgets and cash flow forecasts and treasury matters as recommended by the Audit and Treasury Committees, steering the organisation towards a sustainable future by adopting sound, ethical, and legal governance and financial management policies, as well as by making sure the Group has adequate resources to advance its mission
As Chair of the Remuneration and Nominations Committee, I have had overall responsibility for Board succession planning, including the replacement of the Chairman of the Board in 2016 and planning for the CEO’s likely retirement in 2018. The committee has also dealt with complex pensions issues, resulting in major cost savings for the Group. Advising the executive on appraisal systems, salary and benefits benching marking, and the appointment of Board review consultants. In 2019 I was appointed Senior Independent Director.
In 2017 I was asked to Chair Spruce Homes, the new private rental business. Spruce was officially launched in November. I am tasked with overseeing the team to deliver against key objectives to offset the rent reduction in the public sector market and provide another revenue stream for the Group.
In 2017 I also joined UN Women UK, the only global agency dedicated to gender equality with the aim to remove the social and cultural barriers that prevent women and girls from achieving their potential. In the UK, UN Women is represented through the National Committee, and we focus on awareness, advocacy and activation. I am actively involved in fundraising, raising awareness and promoting our He for She and Drawaline campaigns to individuals and corporate sponsors. I am also Chair of the Nominations Committee.
