Group Audit and Risk Committee

This Committee has devolved responsibility from the Group Board of Bolton at Home Limited for:

  • financial control arrangements and systems;
  • internal and external audit arrangements, including the appointment of internal auditors and making recommendations to the Group Board on the appointment of external auditors;
  • risk management processes and systems;
  • anti fraud, anti corruption and money laundering and requirements of the Criminal Finances Act;
  • information governance and general data protection regulations (GDPR); and
  • value for money strategy and compliance with Regulator of Social Housing (RSH) standards.

Terms of reference

Group Audit & Risk Committee Terms of reference

Phil Saxton (Chair of Audit and Risk Committee)

Phil Saxton (Chair of Audit and Risk Committee)

Phil has served in a number of non-executive and trustee roles in the area for almost 20 years, including the Board of Six Town Housing, GMW NHS Mental Health Trust and Bolton & Bury Education Business Partnership, and is currently a trustee and vice-chair of Bury ILD, a small charity supporting people with learning disabilities to live independently.

He has extensive experience of social housing through his work as an executive interim with a large number of providers for 20 years.  He hopes to bring a breadth of perspective on social and business issues to complement those of colleagues at Bolton at Home.

Phil was appointed to the Group Audit and Risk Committee in May 2023, and became Chair of the Committee on 1 February 2024. Phil was also appointed to Bolton at Home Board on 1 February 2024.

Sharon Hanbury

Sharon Hanbury

Sharon brings many years’ experience across a wide range of housing and related areas within Local Authorities and Combined Authorities. This includes 15 years at Head of Service level in two Greater Manchester LAs with responsibility for Strategic Housing, Private Sector Housing, Housing-led Regeneration, Housing Growth and a range of other services and areas. Sharon’s experience at CAs (both Greater Manchester and Liverpool City Region) – involving several areas such as Private Sector Housing, Housing Growth and Housing Retrofit - has added further experience as well as different perspectives. Strong partnerships and collaboration with Housing Providers has featured highly in her career and is a considerable strength.

Sharon is highly passionate and committed to making a difference to places and the lives of residents and communities; with her Board and Committee roles presenting significant opportunity in these respects.

In April 2022 Sharon joined Bolton at Home’s Board, together with the Group Audit and Risk Committee, Group Development Committee, and Group Operations Committee.  Sharon is the Chair of the Group Operations Committee and is also our Board Member Responsible for complaints, providing strategic direction to ensure we are responsive to customer feedback.

Vicky Szulist

Vicky Szulist

Vicky is a previous board member at Manningham Housing Association, and a current Board member at Healthwatch Manchester, a charity that aims to raise the patient voice in relation to health and social care.

Vicky is a qualified accountant and auditor and acts for a wide range of not for profit entities including charities and housing associations.

Vicky was co-opted onto the Group Audit and Risk Committee in May 2023 and became a full Independent member in February 2024..

Mark Wilkinson (Deputy Chair of BH Board)

Mark Wilkinson (Deputy Chair of BH Board)

Mark combines his non-executive role with his executive career in the NHS.  Most recently, Mark has been appointed to a place director role within the Cheshire and Merseyside Integrated Care Board, tasked with delivering joined up health and care services.

By profession, Mark is a chartered accountant and held executive finance roles across Greater Manchester before moving into general management.  Mark is passionate about tackling health inequalities and is keen to explore the broader contribution Bolton at Home can make to supporting flourishing communities.  He has been on the board of Bolton at Home previously in 2018 and was re-appointed to the board in April 2022.