Meet the Board: Angie Carpenter’s journey to Citizen

For Coventry-born Angie, joining Citizen’s Board was about giving something back to the community she’s always called home.

With a career that’s taken her from the NHS and charity sector to cinema management, factory work and even picture framing, Angie brings a wide range of experience – and a real commitment to making a difference at Citizen.

Here’s Angie’s story.

What made you want to get involved with the Board?

I’m Coventry born and bred, so the opportunity felt close to home – literally. I’ve had a varied career and felt I had something to contribute. More than that, I wanted a challenge that pushed me out of my comfort zone.

What’s it like being on the Board?

We’re there to hold the executive team to account and make sure decisions are properly thought through. That means asking questions like: what’s the risk, what’s the opportunity, what does this mean for customers and colleagues? It’s about bringing different voices to the table so decisions are as strong as they can be.

What do you find rewarding about the role?

Two things stand out. First, regeneration work – because it’s not just about building more homes, it’s about making the right investment in the ones we already have, even when the decisions are tough. And second, hearing directly from customers about the difference Citizen makes. That’s when the impact of what we do really hits home.

And the challenges?

The reading! There’s a lot of material to go through before meetings and it takes commitment, especially when you’re balancing a full-time job and life outside work. It’s part of the role, though – you can’t do it properly without putting in the time.

What do you think Citizen does well?

Customer insight. The way we use the Customer Scrutiny Group to shape services is something I’m really proud of. Their recommendations are thoughtful, detailed and often better than anything you could buy from an external consultant.

What does our strapline “home is our foundation for life” mean to you?

For me, it’s about stability. Having a safe, secure home is a basic human right. Without it, everything else becomes harder – even applying for a job. A home gives you the foundations you need to build the rest of your life.

Tell us a bit about you outside of work.

I love live music and supporting Coventry’s local scene. I go to the gym to stay fit and look after my mental health. And I’m a keen gamer – I play Call of Duty and was once ranked among the best in the world!

Finally, what would you say to someone thinking about joining a board or committee?

Don’t talk yourself out of it. Boards are made up of people from all sorts of backgrounds – it’s the different experiences that make the discussions so valuable. If you see an opportunity, take it.

Watch Angie’s interview below to hear more about her role and why it matters.