It’s been a privilege and a delight working with Jana and Andrew. We engaged them to carry out a review of our governance, and support us in addressing shortcomings and gaps. I have found them to be methodical, professional, and pragmatic. They are very reliable, delivering what they says they will on time and on quality – and the thing I really appreciate about them is that they really care about what they do!
Jana is one of those people you want on your ship in an extreme storm, as she keeps focused, remains steady and calms others, keeping those more senior on task. She has a great knack at getting people to do what is required of them, as if it’s their idea. I know Jana is great in calm waters too. At board meetings Jana speaks with authority and instils confidence. She also has strong integrity and broad skills and experience to draw on.
Marcus Missen – Executive Director Advocacy, Partnerships and Impact for Leonard Cheshire Disability
After completing an internal governance review, we approached Jana to support some of our actions identified within our plan. Our Board of Trustees annual away day was scheduled, and Jana was able to walk the Trustees through various governance aspects, including discussion on Lencioni's principles of high performing teams. The Trustees and Officers were able to actively engage enabled by Jana's experience and knowledge providing valuable opportunity for reflection, discussion and planning for next steps. A great day and feedback from all. Thank you.
Lisa Martinali - St. Paul's Community Development Trust
I have had the privilege of working with Andrew Foster from May 2014, until he stood down from Midland Heart in April 2019. In that time, I and the Board, were very fortunate to have Andrew as our Executive Director of Governance and Contracts and Company Secretary.
Andrew and I worked very closely together as we took the Board of Midland Heart through a period of significant change, driven by a desire from the Board to simplify the work of the organisation. This required the Board to ensure that it was fit to steward Midland Heart through the changes.
Andrew provided clear advice to help with effective skills based Board recruitment - the process worked very well with a very positive governance outcome. Andrew supported me in carrying out the annual review of each Board member's performance by undertaking a survey of all Board members to gain their individual views of Board performance and self-assess their own performance, to inform and underpin my 121 meetings with them.
Andrew took the outcomes of an external governance review and developed them into an action plan and oversaw its implementation. This required a fundamental review of the committees of the Board and their Terms of Reference. The outcome of all this work was improved governance and accountability whilst significantly simplifying processes.
Andrew’s work as our Company Secretary was exemplary. He is highly skilled in this role, which was exemplified amongst other things by driving improvement in the quality and consistency of board and committe papers and maintaining an effective working relationship with the regulator. Andrew was always proactive in managing the relationship and this was proven when we received a G1/V1 rating and feedback from the regulator which was outstanding.
John Edwards CBE - Former Chair Midland Heart
Encircle engaged Andrew Foster in 2019 to carry out a full scope review of governance and controls in the business.
Andrew overhauled the board agenda to ensure full visibility of operational and performance information and greater oversight of issues of business risk, and advised on how to improve board reporting and board minutes. His advice was implemented and the board (and the Regulator) confirmed that they saw a tangible improvement in these areas.
Andrew also developed a new format for risk reporting and revised the risk management policy and advised on how reporting of financial and operational performance could be made more effective.
Andrew also provided me-in my role as Company Secretary- with knowhow as to the requirements of the company secretary role so that the needs of the board can be met whilst ensuring that the requirements of the Regulator are also met and that the organisation stayed compliant with statutory requirements.
Andrew's 20 years' experience as a company secretary and 13 years in the social housing sector mean that he has a wealth of experience and has the knowhow to be able to get to the right governance answers quickly and efficiently. Andrew is a credible adviser who the board and I trusted to give real insight into how best to organise governance in Encircle, to deliver swift improvements in board effectiveness and I would not hesitate to recommend him for similar assignments.
Peter Aviston - Interim Managing Director
I would highly recommend Jana for any governance projects you may need undertaking.
Jana completed an extensive project at Community Housing, reviewing and updating all our governance policies and procedures. Her advice to both officers and board members was first class and she was a joy to work with.
Ann Bennett - Chair of The Community Housing Group
Jana is a fabulous Company Secretary and legal counsel and provided invaluable help to me at Community Housing. Jana helped to close three subsidiaries to collapse a group structure, renew our policy and procedure framework and provided legal advice to our colleagues on a number of tricky issues. She was also good fun to work with and was a valued member of our team.
Matt Cooney - CEO of The Community Housing Group
Jana has provided us with governance consultancy in terms of our structure and committees, but also providing and leading on our whole governance including housing and charity codes, trustee management and training, papers, terms of reference, codes of conduct and all elements that lie behind the charity and housing codes. She is also working on our governance and risk overarching frameworks.
All of her work has been excellent, and relevant to our size and scope. Jana is realistic and very pragmatic. She simplifies governance and puts perspective on it.
I would absolutely use Jana again and would have no hesitation in recommending her.
Azra Kirby - CEO of St Anne's Community Services
I’ve now worked with Jana in two roles and would recommend her wholeheartedly. A committed professional who takes absolute pride in her work, and a source of trusted advice. Jana will add value to your business in whatever she does.
Ruth Cooke - CEO of GreenSquareAccord
Jana is extremely knowledgeable and although much in demand, is always willing to give you her time if you need it. She's extremely good at handling challenging situations and can be relied on to provide a cool head when one is needed. Jana manages perfectly to be both professional and friendly; she's someone you can trust.
Fay Shanahan - Head of Neighbourhoods, Midland Heart.