Orbit

Our vision is simple – we lead in building thriving communities. We believe everyone is entitled to a good quality home that they can afford in a place they are proud to live.

Orbit is one of the country’s foremost housing groups. With over 1,100 employees and a turnover of £355m, we support over 100,000 customers in differing stages of life, from those seeking their first home to customers looking for enhanced supported living. We are one of the UK’s largest homebuilders, and with a growing portfolio of over 45,000 affordable and social rent homes, we play an active part in the neighbourhoods where we work, supporting local economies and social activity within communities.

Orbit is driven by a determined profit for purpose ethos and we were an early adopter of the housing sector’s ESG approach. Our award-winning wellbeing programme is just one reflection of the strategic focus we place on nurturing our people, and we have been in the Sunday Times list of the 100 Best Companies to Work For (Not for Profit), for two consecutive years. Our investment in customer service has helped to deliver a satisfaction rating of 4.2 out of 5, despite the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. Looking ahead, the implementation of our corporate strategy, Orbit 2025, will see a continued focus on serving our customers and investing in their communities.

Ahead of Baroness Tessa Blackstone standing down after 9 years of outstanding service, we are now looking for a new Group Chair to lead our board and help guide Orbit forward, at what is an unusually interesting and important time for us, and the sector in which we operate.

For this key role we would welcome interest from people with leadership experience gained in other appropriately large and complex organisations, together with strong non-executive and ideally chairing experience. Commercial and financial acumen will be important given our scale and the breadth of our activities and partnerships across the private and public sectors.  As a substantial Group Chair position in a regulated sector, we need someone with the capacity and energy to spend up to 4 days a month on the role, which is remunerated at £28,000. Most board meetings are held at our Head Office in Coventry.

Reflecting the diverse communities that Orbit is proud to work with and support, we are committed to finding a Group Chair who is dedicated to furthering diversity and inclusion within the organisation. We actively and warmly encourage applications therefore from a broad and deep range of backgrounds and experiences.

Saxton Bampfylde Ltd is acting as an employment agency advisor to the Orbit on this appointment. For further information about the role, including details about how to apply, please visit www.saxbam.com/appointments using reference JACAFC. Alternatively telephone +44 (0)20 7227 0880 (during office hours). Applications should be received by noon on Friday 19 November.