Our Board

Two Rivers is a community driven organisation - a not for profit organisation - with the explicit mission to create new homes and opportunities for communities across Gloucestershire and Herefordshire. The organisation spends over £16million in the community every year, so we have a major impact on the community, the economy, the wider society and the environment.

Since we were set up in 2003, we have been guided by independent unpaid experts from the wider community. The present Board has an outstanding balance of expertise. Members come from a range of professional backgrounds, (public, private and voluntary sector and tenants too) working together to support, advise and guide the organisation as it moves into a new era.

Chairman David Garnett is absolutely committed to ensuring the organisation delivers and is accountable.

"The Two Rivers team is absolutely committed to working for the local community, supporting hard working families fighting to improve their lives. The staff are dedicated and passionate and work exceptionally hard to deliver for local people.  The team provides quality low cost and affordable homes for thousands of families in the area surrounding the Severn and the Wye valleys. And we have been steadily building new quality homes too.

"But our work is about much more than just bricks and mortar. Good quality homes are at the heart of people's lives. They are the building blocks for family, health, community and the economy. With house prices high, wages stagnant and the supply of homes at an all time low, the work of Two Rivers has never been more important in providing opportunities for communities to grow.

"We may be a not-for-profit community organisation, but are big players in the local economy. We want every pound we spend to multiply its positive impact. We try to employ local contractors and suppliers where ever we can, and ensure that our developments and services deliver extra value for local people and the wider environment.

"The Board are here to provide the expert advice and guidance to ensure the team are delivering the very best value possible and operating to the very highest standards. We have brought in volunteer expertise from business, government, housing professionals and from our own communities. This provides the balance and perspective that ensure Two Rivers will continue to grow and prosper for communities today and for future generations," he said.

The Board comprises:   

4 Tenant Directors

2 Councillor Directors

6 Independent Directors

2 Co-opted Directors (invited to join the Board to contribute specific expertise.)

For biographies of each Board member click here.

The Board meets approximately every 8 weeks. We are absolutely committed to open governance. Much of what they discuss is in open session but some issues are of commercial sensitivity for the organisations we work with so there are issues which have to be discussed in confidence. You can find details and minutes of the meetings here.

Two Rivers is a big operation with a lot of different aspects that need our attention and support. That's why the Board also break off into a range of Committees and working groups.

The Audit  Committee ensures that the organisation is delivering the best possible value for money. The Search and Governance Committee ensures that the  organisation is well run and meeting all its commitments as a not-for-profit community organisation. The Two Rivers Development Board overseas the complexities of the new building programme and the Service Improvement Group looks at innovative new ways of improving the way the organisation delivers for all its communities.

While the Board Members oversee the work of the Directors and their teams, there is also an annual appraisal process for all Board Members, helping them keep on top of the job, improve their knowledge and skills, and ensure they too are continuously improving their performance, just as they expect the professional team to keep expanding their expertise and performance.