Nicola has over 20 years’ experience of working as a qualified senior corporate governance professional with regulatory, compliance, equality, diversity and inclusion, data protection, and corporate strategy, planning and performance expertise. She has led change programmes to establish and improve governance in multiple organisations, with a focus on the importance of effective inclusive behaviours and diverse and competent individuals to the leadership and effective governance of successful organisations. Ensuring non-executives can contribute, work effectively with Executive teams and benefit from diverse perspectives, knowledge and approach.

She only works in organisations which deliver social purpose and positively impact people’s lives. She joined the social housing sector 2 years ago, having previously worked in the financial services, communications and health sectors.

Lynne Nicholls (she/her) is the director of Leonis Solutions, Chair of First Brick Housing and was instrumental in setting up HouseProud having co-chaired the organisation for several years.
At Clarion Housing Lynne chaired their award-winning LGBTQ+ Network, spearheading intersectional working across staff networks, and was instrumental in developing the transitioning at work policy for trans and non-binary staff.

As Vice Chair at Watmos Community Homes, she was the board ED&I champion and chaired the People and Culture Committee. She played a key role in developing their ED&I policy and action plan, as well as developing a residents board readiness programme and recruiting and supporting its first intake.

Lynne is passionate about inclusive education, speaking in schools for Diversity Role Models on bisexuality and faith. She is the Chair of Trustees for Schools Out, founders of LGBT+ History Month in the UK, alongside which she is the Festival Director for OUTing the Past, the International LGBT+ History Festival.

Sharon specialises in corporate, governance and regulatory advice and primarily works with registered providers of social housing on a variety of matters. Sharon regularly delivers training designed to increase diversity on housing association boards and led on preparing an EDI policy document for the HDN for use across the sector.