Housing Today looks at this week's movers and shakers
Job of the week

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. "

Lynda Smith

Lynda Smith has become director of Landmark Housing Association, a south London-based subsidiary of the Family Housing Group. She has worked in housing for 25 years, including nine years in the Family Group’s research team.

Peter Brown

Peter Brown is the new chief executive of Berkshire-based Beacon Housing Association. He joins from West Mercia Housing Group in Worcestershire where he was deputy chief executive. He was previously chief executive of Worcester Housing Association.

Charlie Ntamark

Former international footballer Charlie Ntamark has become welfare services adviser for Acton Housing Association, west London. He played right back for Cameroon from 1986 to 1988 and joined Walsall FC for seven years. He also studied for a law degree while volunteering for the Citizen’s Advice Bureau.

Estuary HA

Fiona Bailey (pictured) has become Essex-based Estuary Housing Association’s first communications officer. She previously worked in communications and publishing for the construction industry. Charlotte Dickens has joined Estuary as well, as resident involvement officer. She recently graduated with a BA in humanities. Estuary also has a new human resources advisor: Kerry Geeves. She previously worked for London Underground’s human resources department for seven years.

Ian Bingham

Castle Vale Community Housing Association, Birmingham, has appointed tenant Ian Bingham as resident involvement and marketing coordinator. A former chairman of the local tenants’ alliance, he was previously information officer and community regeneration fieldworker for Birmingham Cooperative Services.

Munim Farid

Munim Farid is to be head of operations at east London-based Boleyn and Forest Housing Society. He will move up from his current job there as services development manager. He has previously worked for Nucleus Housing Group in Berkshire, the Guinness Trust and Christian Action Housing Association and Paddington Churches Housing Association, both in London.