Governance
The East Thames Group
East Thames Group is a registered social landlord. It is a registered charity and a company limited by guarantee. The Group is the strategic arm of the organisation, setting overall strategic direction for its seven subsidiaries.
The Group also provides governance, human resources, marketing and communications, ICT, business support, internal audit, risk and compliance and financial services to each of its subsidiaries to ensure consistency of approach and to achieve effective economies of scale. All subsidiaries are wholly owned and mutual agreements ensure their independence.
Audit and risk management issues are considered in detail by a Group Risk Management and Audit Committee. Chaired by Ashley West, the Committee also consists of the Treasurers of the Group and main operating subsidiaries, plus three independent members.
Remuneration issues are considered on a Group-wide basis through the Group Remuneration Committee. Chaired by the Group Vice-Chair, Marianne Skelcher, the Committee also consists of the Group Chair, Group Treasurer, Chair of the Group Risk Management and Audit Committee and the Chairs of the main operational subsidiaries.
Standards, ethics and Group-wide governance issues are considered by the Group Governance and Appointments Committee. Chaired by the Group Chair, the Committee also includes the Group Vice-Chair, Chair of Group Risk Management and Audit Committee, subsidiary representatives and the Group Chief Executive and the Director of Support Operations.
Operational subsidiaries in the Group are:
East Homes owns and/or manages more than 13,500 homes and is the largest multi-tenure landlord operating across east London and Essex. It is a resident-focused organisation that offers a wide range of affordable housing options. East Homes provides a ‘one-stop shop’ that offers low-cost rental accommodation, intermediate rent and home ownership options. Its aim is to be the leading provider of quality affordable homes for rent and sale in east London and Essex. East Homes is a charitable registered Industrial and Provident Society.
East Place, the Group’s commercial arm specialising in homes for outright sale and market rent, and running various management companies, is a subsidiary of East Homes. Another East Homes subsidiary, EH Street Properties, was acquired in 2007 after the purchase of a number of street properties.
As the asset holder within the Group, East Homes oversees development and asset management issues through a Development and Asset Management Committee. Chaired by the East Homes Vice-Chair, the Committee is made up of members of the East Regen, East Homes and East Thames Group Boards.
East Living is a charitable registered Industrial and Provident Society and provides residential and respite accommodation through more than 80 care schemes and floating support to about 2,000 people with particular needs. This includes supported living, registered care and housing management services, as well as floating support to people living in their own homes. People benefiting from East Living’s services include people with mental health needs, people with learning disabilities, older people, women fleeing domestic violence, vulnerable young people and people living with HIV/Aids.
East Potential is a social and economic regeneration charity which works to empower local people to create a brighter future for themselves and make a contribution within their communities. It does this through a broad range of programmes for young people, families and adults, including foyer accommodation for young people, employment and training services, arts and culture initiatives, children’s centres, and health and sustainable living projects. It aims to raise aspirations, promote community pride and cohesion, and give people a chance to succeed.
As well as the operational subsidiaries listed above, East Thames has three more subsidiaries: East Treasury; East Regen; and East Foundation.
