Aequus Group, Bath & North East Somerset Council’s wholly-owned housing company, is on the lookout for a new independent non-executive board chair.

Cllr Tom Davies, Cllr Kevin Guy, Richard Samuel and Charles Gerrish, Aequus Chair | Photo © B&NES Council

The role is being advertised to secure a smooth transition when the current Chair, Charles Gerrish, steps down at the end of his term of office in May 2024 after eight years.

Aequus Group was set up in 2016 to develop, deliver, own and manage property for both the rental and homeowner market on behalf of the local authority.

It is made up of Aequus Group Holdings Ltd, the holding company; Aequus Developments Ltd, which manages private rental properties, and Aequus Construction Ltd, which develops housing.

Since 2016, Aequus has delivered 221 new homes in Bath and North East Somerset, alongside meeting its business plan performance to generate £1m per year of income that supports frontline services, with around 1,000 more homes planned for the future.

The new chair will provide strategic leadership and guidance to the Board of Directors and ensure that the company continues to achieve the council’s objectives to deliver homes that meet local housing need, including social housing, while supporting the council’s climate and ecological emergency objectives.

Applicants should be an experienced non-executive director, ideally with previous chairing experience, understanding of how to work with elected members, and with expertise and understanding of commercial aspects of the housing and development industry.

They must also have a good understanding of the geographical, political and social environment within which Aequus operates and understand how local authorities work.

More information about the role and how to apply can be found here or by contacting Sioned Hughes at Altair Ltd on 07788 7791381 or email [email protected].

Councillor Deborah Collins, cabinet project lead for Leader and for Built Environment & Sustainable Development, said: “Through Aequus the council is delivering more affordable, sustainable homes for residents in Bath and North East Somerset whilst generating returns that support our priorities.

“The company is instrumental in providing the homes that our communities need and so it’s vital that it is chaired by someone who can continue to provide the effective leadership we have received from Charles Gerrish over the past eight years.

“With Charles preparing to step down next May, we are now planning ahead to ensure continuity and I am sure this opportunity will attract many high-quality applicants.

“I’d like to thank Charles for his contribution since 2016 which has shaped so positively the company’s achievements to date.”

Charles Gerrish, the current chair of Aequus, said: “Aequus is a successful and growing local authority housing company and my successor will play a key role in steering the group through a period of growth to support the future housing delivery needs of our local authority partners.”