Housing Finance Agency opts for Decision Time as it gets set to double in size

The Dublin-based Housing Finance Agency (HFA) is entrusting Decision Time’s software with supporting its board to navigate a growth phase that will see the organisation double in size over the next five years.

Established as a state-owned company in 1982, the HFA provides loan finance to local authorities, voluntary housing bodies and higher education institutions for housing and related purposes. With a balance sheet of almost €6bn, it is one of the largest state bodies in the Republic of Ireland.

The organisation is using Decision Time’s software to help its board of 12 plan and manage board meetings and to manage risks to the organisation. The HFA has also deployed the software across its various committees including its Audit & Risk Committee and its Credit Committee.

Tom Conroy, Head of Finance and Company Secretary at the HFA said: “We have a large board and a number of committees as well. We needed a more efficient way of putting meetings together and managing them, as well as keeping track of upcoming and past meetings. We also needed a more efficient way to keep track of and manage risks. As we enter a major growth phase, this is more important than ever.”

“We went out to the market and procured Decision Time as a platform to help us do all of that. Having done so, Decision Time is now an essential tool for us in managing board meetings and running the organisation. It has a really important role in the HFA’s ongoing growth and good governance.”

Geoff Higgins, Managing Director of Decision Time, said: “With a balance sheet of almost €6bn, the HFA is one of the larger public sector bodies in Ireland. As well as being a public body, it is also a PLC, so it is heavily regulated, and the management of meetings and risks are a core part of its business.”

He adds: “The public sector in the Republic of Ireland is one of our fastest growing markets which I think reflects well on its public bodies. Corporate governance in Ireland has clearly moved forward dramatically and is now a very high priority, which means better decision-making, better management, and better outcomes for society. It’s also good news for Decision Time and means our software is likely to remain in strong demand.”

Housing Finance Agency plc is a company under the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage of Ireland. The HFA’s Board is appointed by the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage with the consent of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform. It has 12 members and is representative of such as local authority members and officials, the voluntary housing sector and senior public servants.

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