What Incorporation means for Members - we hear from our Chair Neil Diddams

On 1 July we became a Company Limited by Guarantee. We’re still owned by our Members. And, remain a central purchasing body dedicated to supporting social housing providers. Two months on from our Incorporation, the Chair of our Board, Neil Diddams reflects on what this means for our Members. 

Why did we decide to Incorporate? 

This was one of the central discussions when I first joined the SEC Board, and the decision to incorporate was made after careful deliberation (and many legal meetings). At the time, SEC was thriving—offering outstanding support to its members while continually expanding both its capacity and capabilities. However, as we looked ahead, we recognised shifts in the operating environment, including evolving regulations, which could impact how we operated.

To safeguard the future of the organisation and ensure we could continue to serve our members effectively, the board concluded that incorporation was the right step forward. By becoming a legally recognised entity, SEC would not only strengthen its governance framework but also position itself to better navigate the changing regulatory landscape. Throughout the decision-making process, it was crucial to the board that the core values and ethics of SEC, which have long defined our success, remained unchanged. Incorporation would be a structural change, but we were committed to ensuring minimal impact on members and preserving the supportive, collaborative spirit that had brought us so far. The transition was, at its heart, about securing a robust foundation for future growth and sustainability while remaining true to the principles that our community values.

How will Incorporation help our Members? 

Incorporating isn't just a legal or structural shift—it’s a move designed to deliver tangible benefits to our members, enhancing how we serve and support them. It provides us with a stronger, more flexible foundation to better support our customers and members. SEC gains greater control over its resources, allowing us to reinvest more effectively in member services. Whether it's expanding our training programs, offering more specialised resources, or responding to new member needs. Incorporation gives us the financial and operational stability to enhance what we offer. Members can expect more robust and reliable services, tailored to their evolving needs. We are planning significant investments in digital platforms to streamline member services, improve communication, and offer more personalised support. The world is changing, and so are the challenges facing our members. Incorporation allows us to be more flexible and responsive in supporting members through these changes. Whether it’s adapting to new regulations, addressing emerging industry trends, we now have the framework to respond more effectively to members' needs.

What's on the horizon now that we've incorporated?

Incorporation in not just about adapting to change; it’s about positioning ourselves to actively seize new opportunities and provide even greater value to our members. With incorporation, we now have the flexibility and resources to broaden the range of services we offer whilst staying true to our core purpose. One of our immediate goals is to develop new training programs that address the needs of our members, tailored advisory services, industry-specific workshops, and enhanced digital tools for remote engagement. I know everyone at SEC is truly excited about the future and the opportunities that lie ahead. As a Board, we are eager to see these strategies take shape and see the continued growth of an organisation that is already highly respected within the housing sector.

Interested in learning more about an Incorporated SEC? View our full press release here - Why are we incorporating? - South East Consortium