Transparency and efficiency

Governance

For Westward as a business, effective governance means having:

• board members with diverse skills and experience
• leadership and direction to achieve our vision and values
• the highest degree of integrity across the organisation
• focusing on our performance priorities
• clear accountability, transparency and efficiency

To learn more, see the Corporate Business Plan 2023-2024.

Westward adopts the National Housing Federation’s codes of governance and conduct. A Declaration of Interests register is kept regarding all board and committee members and this can be made available on request. We regularly assess compliance with these standards and report the outcomes in our annual Financial Statements.

Annual report and value for money

Click to watch our annual report highlights:

As a business for social purpose, we invest in the things that matter most - view our financial statements below:

• Financial Statements - Westward Housing Group Limited 2024.pdf
• Financial Statements - New Horizon Homes Limited 2024.pdf 

You can read our Strategic Plan 2020-25  here.

The Westward Value for Money Strategy demonstrates how we provide cost effective services to our customers. 

Regulation

Pay and rewards

Pay and reward benefits at Westward are set at a level to attract and retain the talent required to lead the organisation and make sure it can deliver its strategic objectives. In doing this we take into account comparable evidence and benchmarking data from a range of sources both within and outside the sector which is provided by external consultants.

Our aim is not to pay the highest salaries in the market but instead to offer a competitive package of salary plus other pay and non-pay benefits. Read more on our benefits page.

Gender Pay Gap Report 2023-24

As an employer of more than 250 people, we publish an annual Gender Pay Gap Report showing the difference in average female earnings compared to average male earnings. Our mean gender pay gap in 2023 was 6%. Watch our short film below to learn more.

Preventing fraud

Westward's efforts to invest our money in the things that matter most - our customers and our communities - can be jeopardised by fraud.  Fraud threatens a reduction in the availability and quality of homes, so we take it very seriously.

There are many different types of fraud including illegal subletting, false housing applications, fraud in contracting or works, fraud in procurement, and fraudulent accounting.

We aim to deal firmly with any instance of fraud.  We will take seriously, investigate and deal with any suspected fraudulent activity whether reported by customers, staff, or through whistle-blowing.

Customers with concerns about fraudulent activity should contact their housing officer in the first instance or call 0300 100 1010 and ask to speak to the Westward company secretary.