Ability Board

The Board of Ability works with the Senior Management Team to set the strategic direction of our organisation. It is responsible for ensuring that we continue to operate as a financially viable business, providing effective and efficient services.

The Board has places for up to 12 members. We currently have 11 and two co-optees, with backgrounds in a number of relevant business areas. They give their time voluntarily.

The Board meets four times a year and holds an additional strategy day. Members also take part in three Board committees, which meet at least twice a year – the Finance, Audit & Risk, HR & Remuneration and Customer Service committees.

The current Board members are:

	Dominic Wallace joined the board in 2018 and is also chair of the Audit, Finance and Risk Committee. He is a highly experienced risk manager, having held Chief Risk Officer and other senior roles at a number of financial sector institutions over the last 30 years. He also has expertise in finance and corporate governance and has worked within a wide range of regulatory and supervisory frameworks.
	Jai Dosanjh joined the Ability Board in 2019. His extensive social housing career spanning more than 38 years includes being the Chief Executive of four London housing organisations as well as being the New Initiatives Director of another Association. He has also worked in Local Government for 18 years. Jai has also served on three other Housing Association Boards in the past. Jai is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Housing.
	Dritan Uka joined the Board of Ability in 2021. He has worked with large housing associations, local authority and in the private sector. Dritan brings extensive experience in strategic asset management, sustainability and investment planning.
	Mandy Dunstan has established twenty years’ experience of leading multi-disciplinary teams, developing performance and quality monitoring and delivering great services and has an up to date working knowledge of the challenges and opportunities facing the housing sector. Mandy’s experience has given her an insight into how to lead and manage large operational contracts and complex business projects and processes across a diverse portfolio of business-critical services she is excited by opportunity and change and welcomes the continual challenges that the housing sector offers and rises to them with enthusiasm. Mandy believes that Housing providers have a crucial role to play in providing high quality housing services and in supporting developing communities. We can (and do) make a real difference to the quality of life for the people we provide services to.
	Tim Jennings is a qualified accountant with experience across a range of sectors, including property services and housing. Tim is currently the Executive Director of Finance for Catalyst Housing, having held the same role at Aldwyck Housing prior to their merger. Previous experience includes several Finance Director roles at large property services businesses.
	Vimal Gaglani joined the board in 2021 and is also a member of the Audit, Finance and Risk Committee. Vimal is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, and is also a member of the Association of Corporate Treasurers. Vimal has over 20 years’ experience in a number of finance and treasury roles including Audit and Assurance, Financial Planning and Analysis, Treasury Management, and Finance Director. He is currently Director of Treasury & Financial Planning at Abri, a large Housing Association based in the South of England. Vimal has key expertise in forming the risk appetite and strategic direction of organisations, and thereafter enabling the delivery of strategic objectives whilst preserving financial strength and viability.
	Lynsey van Aswegen joined the board in 2021 and is also a member of the Audit, Finance and Risk Committee. Lynsey is a Chartered Accountant with 15 years experience in the real estate and social housing sectors, and a graduate of the Judge Business School and University of Cambridge. She is currently Finance Director at Barnsbury Housing Association having previously held roles at Octavia, Peabody and Family Mosaic as an FD/CFO, property tax and development finance expert. Lynsey is committed to tackling inequality in all its forms and seeks to address some of the injustices the social housing and social care systems are facing.
	Kimberley Ellis is a highly accomplished and customer-focused professional, boasting over a decade of operational leadership experience in the not-for-profit, social, and charity sectors. With a proven track record in transformative leadership, Kimberley has excelled in enhancing customer engagement, streamlining operations, and embedding service improvement frameworks. Recognised for her strategic mindset and innovative solutions, Kimberley has successfully navigated complex challenges, restructured teams and services, and effectively implemented customer experience strategies. Her coaching approach fosters creative problem-solving and talent development within teams, creating a positive and inclusive work environment. Kimberley’s passion lies in driving continuous improvement and fostering collaboration, ensuring customer experience and satisfaction is at the heart of organisational decision making. Her ability to build strong relationships coupled with her commitment to social purpose and equality make her a valued member of the Board and Customer Services Committee.
	Rinat Abdrasilov is a Management Consultant and Non-Executive Director with over 20 years of expertise from executive and non-executive roles in banks and companies of all sizes: from start-ups to FTSE100 companies facing millions of customers. Cambridge MBA, mentor across a range of business schools / accelerators, and independent professional non-executive board member in a number of boards – both in the developed world, and in the emerging markets. Rinat’s key consulting and board expertise is in innovation management, strategy, digital transformation, fundraising and corporate governance.