New ARAC members appointed

We have appointed two new members to our Audit and Risk Assurance Committee (ARAC) – Tim Leslie and Vikki Lewis. Both started in their new roles this month (September 2020).

Tim Leslie is a Board Member of The Community Housing Group in the West Midlands and has an extensive background in regulation and risk management. He held several positions at Ofqual including the Director of Risk and Markets, and prior to that was Chief Executive and Director of Regulation at Standards for England and worked at the Financial Services Authority.

Vikki Lewis is a Chartered Accountant with more than 25 years’ experience focused in finance and audit practice in the public sector. She currently works at HM Treasury as Head of Financial Reporting Policy and has previously held roles at the National Audit Office. Vikki has worked with Parliament, government departments and their arm’s length bodies to drive forward improvements to the quality of financial management and integrity of financial reporting.

Richard Blakeway, Housing Ombudsman, said: “I am delighted to have Tim and Vikki join us as members of our audit and risk assurance committee. They bring valuable skills and knowledge to the committee that plays a crucial role in providing independent support and advice to ensure that the organisation is working effectively in terms of our risk control and governance. This is important as our service expands and changes, promoting positive change in the sector as well as resolving individual disputes. I look forward to working with Tim and Vikki.”

Sue Harvey, ARAC Chair, said: “This is an important time for the Housing Ombudsman with the changes to our powers and responsibilities, the expansion of the staff team and new stretch targets for performance. It’s within that context that I’m particularly pleased that Tim and Vikki are bringing new skills and experience to the committee to help us provide the right balance of support and challenge around risk, controls and governance.”

 The ARAC is made up of four non-executive members and meets quarterly. The committee members advise the Ombudsman on all activities, policies and procedures concerning governance, risk management and internal control.

For full details of the committee and members see our ARAC page.