Chair – Audit, Finance and Risk Committee (AFRC)

The Chair of the Audit, Finance and Risk Committee (AFRC) is a Director of Launch Housing Ltd.

As Chair, you provide leadership and oversight to support the Board in meeting its duties of care, diligence and good faith. The Chair ensures the Committee operates effectively and assists the Board to discharge its responsibilities in relation to financial reporting, audit integrity, risk oversight, internal controls and compliance, consistent with good governance practice and regulatory expectations.

• Lead the Committee in an orderly, effective and independent manner, ensuring it functions in accordance with its Terms of Reference and delegated authority.
• Promote a culture of integrity, transparency, informed challenge and sound decision‑making.
• Ensure the Committee maintains an annual work plan that aligns with Board priorities, regulatory obligations and recognised principles of good governance.
• Ensure the Committee has appropriate skills, information and access to advice to enable it to fulfil its responsibilities.

Financial Oversight and Reporting

• Oversee the Committee’s review of financial planning, budgeting and financial performance, ensuring the integrity and clarity of financial information provided to the Board.
• Lead scrutiny of financial reporting processes to ensure they are accurate, timely and support informed Board decision‑making.
• Ensure the Committee provides appropriate oversight of financial policies, investment performance and delegations.

Audit Oversight and Integrity

• Lead the Committee’s oversight of the appointment, re‑appointment or removal of the external auditor, supporting auditor independence and objectivity.
• Oversee review of the external audit scope, approach and materiality to ensure appropriate assurance over financial and risk matters.
• Ensure significant audit findings, control weaknesses and recommendations are considered by the Committee and addressed by management in a timely manner.
• Facilitate meetings with the external auditor without management present, where appropriate, to support open communication and independence.

Risk Management and Internal Control

• Lead the Committee’s oversight of the Risk Management Framework and strategic risk register, ensuring these are reviewed at least annually and remain fit for purpose.
• Ensure the Board receives appropriate assurance regarding the effectiveness of internal controls, particularly in relation to material financial, operational and compliance risks.
• Oversee internal audit arrangements and ensure internal and external assurance activities are coordinated and proportionate to risk.
• Ensure appropriate oversight of insurance arrangements and risk mitigation strategies.

Compliance and Regulatory Oversight

• Ensure the Committee oversees management’s systems and processes for compliance with applicable laws, regulations and standards.
• Guide Committee consideration of regulatory findings, reportable incidents, breaches or control failures, and management’s responses.
• Support the Board in meeting ACNC Governance Standards relating to accountability, transparency and responsible financial management.

Board Reporting and Relationships

• Report clearly and accurately to the Board on Committee deliberations, key risks, emerging issues and recommendations.
• Work closely with the Company Secretary and CEO to ensure agendas, papers and minutes support effective governance oversight.
• Maintain appropriate and professional relationships with management (including the Chief Commercial Officer) and external advisors while preserving the independence of the Committee.

Launch Housing has mandatory requirements to undertake thorough safety screening of all staff, including volunteers. Checks are conducted in strict confidence and in accordance with the Launch Housing Privacy Policy and Safety Screening Procedure. Prior to commencing any role, a candidate must:

Provide two appropriate referees for staff to complete satisfactory reference checks.

Hold a current Volunteer Working with Children Check – this can be obtained during recruitment at Launch Housing’s cost.

Have a satisfactory Volunteer Police History Check obtained during recruitment at Launch Housing’s cost*.

Provide certified evidence of qualifications related to the role (if applicable).

*An applicant is not automatically precluded from appointment on the basis of having a disclosable outcome. In the event a disclosable outcome appears on a volunteer police check, a member of the People Experience Team will discuss this with the applicant.