Social landlord Soho Housing Association has announced the appointment of two new resident members to its board: Arthur Hawkes and David Gleeson.

These appointments come as the association looks to its next phase of expansion, building on a year of carefully selected, high-quality development opportunities. As residents themselves, Soho says the new board members bring valuable lived experience that will help ensure the organisation’s growth reflects residents’ needs and the issues impacting them.

Arthur Hawkes has a background in the police service and was inspired to join the board to give a resident perspective by sharing his own experience, to make sure their views and interests are heard, to advocate where necessary, and emphasise outcomes, accountability and communication. He has a particular interest in governance and the distinction between individual resident concerns and the wider interests of the community.

David Gleeson is an active member in the local community: he established and chairs the Pargiter Court Residents’ Association, was previously chair of the Soho Society’s Licensing Group and vice chair of the Soho Society and is involved with both Soho Radio and St Anne’s Church. He is also a founding member of the Resident Services Committee and resident Shareholder, with longstanding insight of the association’s governance structures and the operational and strategic issues impacting residents

Soho, which owns and manages almost 800 properties and 39 commercial premises in London, says the new appointments reinforce the association’s commitment to ensuring residents have a voice in the decisions that impact them at the most senior level, while continuing to deliver safe, affordable homes in central London.

Barbara Brownlee, Soho CEO, said: “We are so pleased to welcome two new resident members to the Soho Housing board. They are both excellent additions to the team, whose resident perspectives, balanced judgment and professional experience are invaluable. The current economic environment is challenging, with regulatory and legal expectations increasing hugely while our income remains capped. In these difficult times, prioritising residents is more important than ever before. I look forward to working closely with Arthur and David to keep residents at the heart of everything we do, by providing safe, affordable and suitable homes and involving them in shaping services that meet their needs.”

Arthur Hawkes, resident board member, said: “I am excited to join, contribute to and learn from the board. I have always been interested in governance decisions and how these translate into resident outcomes. When I was in the police, it was vital for me to consider issues from multiple perspectives and approach decision making objectively and constructively. Now, as a board member, I plan to apply my professional experience, combined with my resident perspective, in order to do the same.”

David Gleeson, Resident Board Member, said: “I am honoured to be getting involved with Soho Housing at board level – it is something I have long wanted to do. The association plays an important role in maintaining Soho as an attractive and liveable neighbourhood. Despite being ‘good time central’, Soho has always been a place where families can thrive, and that complementary blend of commercial and residential activity has kept the neighbourhood as desirable as it is for so long. I look forward to bringing an informed resident voice, governance experience and established community connection to the board.”