Richa’s Journey to the Board

As we celebrate Race Equality Week, North Wales Housing is proud to highlight the success of our Pathway to Board programme—an initiative designed to break down barriers and create a more inclusive leadership space.

Richa, now a Board Member at North Wales Housing, is a shining example of how the programme is making a real impact. She initially joined Pathway to Board to gain insight into governance and leadership, and as a young woman of colour, she was particularly passionate about making board roles more accessible and representative.

Reflecting on her journey, Richa said:

“I believe in the importance of board positions being made accessible and that inclusivity cannot be understated when it comes to non-exec roles. As a young woman of colour, I continue to see boards that do not represent me or my community, which can send a very powerful message from an organisation that might be trying their best to promote EDI in other ways. I was keen to take part in the Pathway to Board programme to bring that diverse perspective to Board roles and get an insight into the role of a Board Member.”

The programme gave Richa the knowledge and confidence to apply for a Board role at North Wales Housing—where she was successful following a rigorous recruitment process.

She added:

“The Programme has been really helpful in breaking down barriers that come with organisations not having equitable board application processes, and it has provided the opportunity to gain insight in ways that might not have been possible without the facilitation of a programme like this. I am now on Board for North Wales Housing, a role that I was happy to apply for as I was given confidence in their commitment to EDI and the steps being taken to learn from different perspectives.”

At North Wales Housing, we know that every action counts in driving race equality and ensuring leadership reflects the diverse communities we serve.

For more information and to learn more about Pathway to Board, please click here