The EDI Board has been developed from an initial group that was established in 2020 to steer CIH’s commitment to its equalities and diversity work. 

The business of the board will be to provide EDI advice on strategic issues to the overall governing board (GB) and the executive team of CIH; to set the strategic direction for the annual EDI action plan; to inform the delivery of EDI content within CIH’s events programme and to make recommendations to the GB or its sub-committees and delegated boards on any aspect of the board’s business which has implications for UK EDI policy. 

CIH received a high number of applications from housing professionals at all levels who demonstrate a real passion for the sector and genuine commitment to changing communities and changing lives by actively upholding EDI principles.

Following a rigorous interview process, the organisation is delighted to welcome the EDI Board’s first trustees: 

• Ruhelly Begum. Ru is a dedicated strategic and operational manager with over 19 years of experience across various housing disciplines, known for fostering collaboration, demonstrating a positive and dynamic leadership style, and effectively uniting
   teams to achieve common solutions.
• Pedro Cameron. With eight years of experience in housing, Pedro has focused extensively on the needs of older and disabled people, while maintaining a broad interest in equality issues. He is the co-creator and co-host of the Equality in Housing podcast,
   which won the inaugural Marion Gibbs Award at the CIH Scotland Awards in 2023.
• David Kingsley FRSA. Drawing from lived experience and interdisciplinary professional expertise, David is a dedicated advocate for EDI across housing, mental health, youth homelessness, and employment support.  
• Tavepo Masawi. Currently working as Housing Revenue Officer for Redditch Borough Council and undertaking Board Trainee programme with Housing Diversity Network sponsored by Karbon Homes.
• Gillian Maton is currently working in governance at Kingdom Housing Association in Fife, Scotland, where she’s been based for the last five years. 
• Gordon Perry has been a CIH member for 42 years and is the former Accent Group CEO, and CIH governing board member. Gordon has had a broad experience in councils, ALMOs and housing associations as executives and non-executive directors.
• Jay Rumboldt is a strategic housing projects officer at Wokingham Borough Council. Motivated by lived experience with homelessness and continued difficulties finding wheelchair accessible accommodation to continually facilitate positive change.
• Rohini Sharma Joshi OBE FCIH from RSJ Equality Consultancy. Rohini has worked in the housing sector for over thirty years and led and managed an award-winning equality programme with projects and initiatives which are recognised as examples of good practice
   in Scotland.
• Amy Thomas, MIFSM, fire safety (FRA) technical coordinator, safer homes & neighbourhoods. Currently employed at the Hyde Group, Amy is active in promoting equality, diversity, and inclusion as well as being involved in various LGBTQ+ and local community
   initiatives.
• Gemma Waddington. With over 15 years of experience in finance, as well as project management, and project delivery across various sectors, Gemma is a dynamic and results-oriented leader and currently finance director at Slice Mobile.  
• Daniel Revell-Wiseman is head of specialised services at the Longhurst Group. Daniel is an experienced housing professional and public sector manager with a particular focus and interest in change management.  

Ria Bailes, managing director of Bailes Partners Consulting, CIH trustee and governing board link to the new CIH EDI Board said: “We were delighted to have so many incredibly talented and experienced professionals apply to the CIH EDI Board. Our first eleven trustees bring a wide variety of expertise and a shared commitment to upholding and promoting equality, diversity and inclusion across every aspect of work in the housing sector and our support to and engagement with tenants and communities. Together we can build an inclusive industry that reflects the needs of all those who contribute to and benefit from the work that we do.” 

The EDI Board will convene for its first meeting on Thursday 23 January 2025.  

In addition to the new board, CIH produces an annual EDI census report, has reviewed and updated its diversity charter and signed up to an independent race equality code so that we are better employers and have a clear focus on race equality, EDI talent development and recruitment as core priorities in our organisation.