John is the new head of research and product development at Staines-based Apex Group. He was formerly project director at In-House Research, which specialised in research for housebuilders.
Claire Watts
Claire is another Apex Group appointee, as head of marketing and public relations. She joins from Hanover Housing Association.
Ian Keyes
Ian takes over as partnership director at public services contractor Pinnacle-psg. He was on the government's best value group and the Confederation of British Industry's local government panel.
Adrian Putman
Adrian takes over from Ross Hammond as development director of Greenwich Millennium Village.
Chris Dallison
Chris, executive director at Ealing council, is to become an independent consultant. He was a director with the Raynsford and Morris housing consultancy before joining Ealing as interim director of housing.
Waheed Alli
Waheed is the first patron of the Albert Kennedy Trust, a charity providing foster care and supported housing services to homosexual people who are homeless or living in hostile environments.
Jonathan Lamb
Jonathan is the new head of financial planning at Orbit Housing Group. Previously, he worked as chief accountant at Dudley College of Technology.
Jacqueline Cooke, Tony Kiely
Jacqueline and Tony have been appointed team leaders in the housing unit at Dane Housing.
Job of the week
Joanne Widdowson
New job
Supported housing officer, Dane Housing, Congleton
Old job
Housing officer, de Montfort Housing Society, Leicester
First housing job
Housing advice assistant, Northampton council
How did you get there?
“After leaving university in 1995, I worked at a housing and money advice centre before embarking on a career in housing management with Orbit Housing Association. I then became housing officer at de Montfort Housing Society. There, I managed a varied patch, including sheltered and supported housing, shared ownership and private rented stock working alongside a range of local authorities.”
What is your new job specification?
“My role is to implement housing initiatives and target the more vulnerable groups. I also work with existing support providers and seek new ones to help develop Dane’s supported housing portfolio.”
Who is your role model?
“Anne Ward, chief executive at Dane Housing. It is refreshing and encouraging to see women break through the glass ceiling and take senior positions in housing organisations.”
If you were housing minister, what would you do to improve the housing situation in the UK?
“I would reduce the disparities that disabled people experience in obtaining housing. There is very little standardisation in the type of services provided and access to them. Furthermore, Supporting People strategies for disabled people are not at the top of housing organisations’ priorities, especially in rural areas.”
Got any career tips for graduates or newcomers?
“Watch out for big problems – they disguise big opportunities. Listen and observe service users and use this knowledge to transform bad practice into good practice. Limited resources increase the opportunity to be creative.”
Source
Housing Today
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