Gemma White looks at this week’s movers and shakers
Baljit Kaur
Baljit has worked at Birmingham-based Mercian Housing Association for three years, and has now been promoted to head of housing services. Baljit has worked in housing for nine years and now takes on responsibility for tenancy and leasehold management. She is studying for an MBA at the university of Birmingham.

Jan Barratt
Mrie Mgregor
New Forest District Council has appointed assistant Jan Barratt and secretary Marie McGregor join to help tenant participation officer Angela Sleet.

Neil Terrett
Neil joins Tees Valley Housing Group as a regeneration officer. He previously worked as a development coordinator at York council. Nows he will work on new build schemes in York and Easingwold.

Carolyn Siddall
Carolyn becomes the New Deal employment and training manager for Family Housing Association. Her new job will make her responsible for a new outreach project to help ethnic minorities and lone parents get back into work or training.

Leslie Laniyan
Leslie is the new chair of the Federation of Black Housing Organisations. Leslie said he was “delighted” to accept the challenge of leading the FBHO and promised the organisation would play a significant role in future housing development.

John Sands
MHS Homes has appointed a new chief executive. John Sands has been promoted from the post of housing director. Before he joined MHS Homes, John had worked in the housing departments of the Greater London Council and Thurrock Borough Council.

Job of the week

Name
Claire Birnie
New job
Regeneration officer at Tees Valley Housing Group
Previous job
Area support officer for North British Housing
First housing job
Customer services officer at North British Housing
New job specification
Consulting with agencies, architects and quantity surveyors to ensure regeneration projects are delivered on time and within budget. Consulting with tenants to determine what they want.
Who would you like to interview? What would you ask?
“Hugh Grant. I’d have to ask whether or not he has a girlfriend.”
If you were housing minister what would you do to improve housing and regeneration in the UK?
“I’d definitely like to see more empowerment for communities to have a bigger part to play in what happens and how environments can be improved. This is starting to happen and I hope it continues.”
Favourite book
“Bridget Jones’ Diary.”
Favourite TV programme
“ER.”
Favourite Film
“Currently, About a Boy.”
Hobbies
“Going to the gym, horse-riding, listening to music and shopping.”
What kind of house do you live in?
“I’m living with my parents while I save up to buy my own place.”
Any advice for anyone moving into the sector?
Just to go for it. I have come into housing from working in a call centre. Do not be intimidated by trying to do new things and taking big steps because it does work out in the end.

Source

Housing Today