Member Article

Grŵp Cynefin appoints experienced strategic leads as non-executive directors

A leading housing association for north and mid Wales, which manages approximately 4,800 homes, has appointed two non-executive directors to support its growth and development delivering social housing and community schemes.

Clifton Robinson and Sharon Warnes join the Grŵp Cynefin board of management, which is responsible for the organisation’s strategic direction and governance, after distinguished careers in housing and local government respectively.

A former director of multiple housing associations, Clifton brings more than 30 years’ experience to the board.

His first taste of the industry was at a housing association in London, before a move to north Wales in 1988 led to director roles with housing organisations in the region.

He has also chaired the North Wales Probation Service board, and served as chief executive of the Housing Diversity Network, an equalities and training organisation to housing associations in England.

Sharon Warnes joins the board following a career in local government, where she worked closely with housing associations in north Wales as assistant strategic director for Gwynedd Council.

After her role at the local authority, she joined the Public Ombudsman Advisory board, where she helped protect the rights of consumers in Wales.

And the experienced housing head is bringing a focus on the next generation of tenants and homeowners to Grŵp Cynefin.

She said: “Grŵp Cynefin’s fabulous reputation precedes it and I hope my experience and insight, particularly in performance management and governance, can support it with its strategic aims.

“I am also keen to make sure children and young people have their say in the way the organisation is run, as they are the future.

“Joining Grŵp Cynefin’s management board offers great opportunities for us to go the extra mile for our tenants. I am keen to ensure the importance of language, culture, and the community-make up of our areas is safeguarded in the work that we do as an organisation.”

Clifton added: “I have a lot of admiration for the association, and I’m excited to be part of the journey as it continues to grow.

Grŵp Cynefin is an influential ambassador of the Welsh language and implements its slogan of ‘more than housing’ by running a number of community projects to help enrich the lives of the people it works with.

“I have already met tenants and staff at a community event, and look forward to supporting them through my knowledge of board-level management in housing.”

Shan Lloyd Williams, Grŵp Cynefin chief executive officer, said: “I’m pleased to welcome Clifton and Sharon, as their experience and diverse backgrounds will add to our board’s existing wide range of skills and abilities.

“Grŵp Cynefin is about to launch our new growth strategy, and I know that their wealth of experience will be invaluable as we move forward.

“I would also like to thank Paul Quirk, who stood down at our annual general meeting, for his support and active contribution over the years.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Sam Harris .