Head of Governance & Corporate

Salary: £80,223 per annum plus generous pension and benefits

Expected interviews: Thursday 19 November 2026

Recruitment Partner: Castle Peak Group

Castle Peak Group is proud to be partnering with Thirteen Group to appoint an experienced and influential Head of Governance & Corporate Support.

This is a significant senior leadership opportunity within one of the region's established housing associations, offering the chance to shape governance strategy, strengthen Board effectiveness and provide trusted advice at the highest levels of the organisation.

Thirteen is an ambitious, forward thinking housing association providing homes, services and support to approximately 100,000 people across the North East, Yorkshire and Humber.

Its vision is to become the most trusted housing association, with happy customers. Underpinning this ambition is a long term business strategy focused on delivering fantastic homes, excellent services and an organisation where brilliant people can thrive.

Strong, effective and proportionate governance will be central to achieving these ambitions.

Thirteen is now seeking an accomplished governance professional who can bring strategic insight, sound judgement and inspirational leadership to this important appointment.

Reporting directly to the Governance and Corporate Affairs Director, the Head of Governance & Corporate Support will be Thirteen's most senior governance specialist.

You will lead a dedicated governance function, providing strategic leadership across corporate governance, Board and Committee effectiveness, regulatory compliance and corporate decision making.

Acting as Deputy Company Secretary, you will work closely with the Board Chair, Committee Chairs, Chief Executive and senior leadership team, ensuring governance arrangements are robust, transparent, proportionate and aligned with Thirteen's strategic objectives.

This is more than a traditional governance management role.

You will have the opportunity to influence how governance operates across the organisation, creating frameworks and processes that support innovation, organisational growth, regulatory confidence and effective decision making.

You will also play a central role in developing the governance team, promoting continuous improvement and ensuring that governance is recognised as an enabler of organisational success.

• Lead the development and delivery of Thirteen's governance strategy, ensuring alignment with organisational priorities and regulatory expectations.
• Maintain and continually improve the corporate governance framework, constitutional arrangements and scheme of delegation.
• Act as Deputy Company Secretary, providing authoritative advice to the Board, Chief Executive and senior leadership team.
• Support the organisation in maintaining the highest standards of corporate governance, accountability and transparency.
• Ensure governance arrangements remain appropriate for a complex, evolving and regulated housing organisation.

• Lead the planning and coordination of effective Board and Committee governance cycles, ensuring appropriate forward planning, agendas and reporting.
• Provide expert advice on Board and Committee composition, succession planning, appointments, remuneration, development and probity.
• Drive improvements in the quality, consistency and effectiveness of Board and Committee papers.
• Lead governance effectiveness reviews, self assessments and associated improvement programmes.
• Build trusted and constructive relationships with Board members, Committee Chairs and senior executives.

• Ensure governance arrangements comply with relevant statutory, regulatory and sector specific requirements.
• Oversee the maintenance of statutory registers, governance records and regulatory submissions.
• Provide clear, evidence based assurance on governance effectiveness, regulatory compliance and improvement activity.
• Identify and escalation material governance risks, ensuring appropriate mitigation and reporting.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues across Assurance, Risk, Finance, Legal and other corporate functions to support a coordinated approach to organisational governance.

• Provide effective leadership, direction and professional development to the governance team.
• Promote a culture of accountability,…