Name Brian Wilks
New job Chairman of Forest Homes board, a subsidiary of London & Quadrant Housing Trust that manages 2600 homes recently transferred from Waltham Forest council in north London
Previous job Chairman of the shadow board of Forest Homes
What's been the most difficult part of the transfer? "Getting our message across to 2600 households was a truly mammoth task. This meant taking the debate out to residents and not just relying on written communication."
If you were housing minister, what would you do to improve the housing situation in the UK? "Make provision to have more jobs in the north of the country, so that the pressure on the south is alleviated."
What do you think of PFI? "We looked at PFI when we were considering options to improve council homes in Leyton and North Leytonstone, but partial stock transfer enabled the housing association to lever in more funding than any of the alternatives. We've also been able to set up our own organisation within London & Quadrant, which maximises residents' influence over the future of their homes and neighbourhood."
Have you always worked in housing? "When I was a child I wanted to become a Royal Marine, and I achieved this at 18.
"I have been made redundant three times during my working life but I have been lucky enough always to get a new job, so I've never been out of work."
What's your dream job? "I have always wanted to be an actor."
If you could interview anyone, who would you choose and why? "Winston Churchill, to find out if he did order the withholding of information from the Enigma decoding machine that could have helped the Atlantic convoys."
What is your housing situation? "Leaseholder."
Favourite film "It has to be Ice Station Zebra."
Favourite book "Wilbur Smith's books on the Courtney family."
Favourite TV programme "Any costume dramas."
Hobbies "Swimming, walking and camping."
What do you plan to do in 10 years' time? "Be 10 years older. "
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