L&Q and Genesis bosses lead housing honours in new year’s list

Don Wood received his honour after 17 years as chief executive of London & Quadrant Housing Trust.

L&Q is the largest association in London and the South-east, managing more than 38,000 properties.

“I’m surprised and delighted,” he said. “I feel privileged to work alongside colleagues throughout the sector, and especially proud to work for L&Q.”

Anu Vedi, who has been chief executive at Genesis Housing Group since 1999, was also made a CBE.

He said: “The excellent work of social housing is often underestimated by the national media. I hope my award, with those of Don Wood and Sadru Visram, is recognition of work the sector is doing.”

Visram, chairman of Asra Greater London Housing Association, received an OBE. Asra is one of the largest associations specialising in housing for the Asian community. Visram has been on its board for 18 years and chairman for the past eight.

There was also an OBE for Guy Reid-Bailey, chairman of United Housing Association.

An MBE went to Chris Edge, supported housing manager at Oaklee Housing Association in Northern Ireland.

Council officers were also rewarded.

Robert Kerslake, head of Sheffield council, received a knighthood.

CBEs were awarded to Max Caller, chief executive of Hackney council, and Alison King, leader of Norfolk council.

Hugh Gardner, director of social services and housing at Swansea council, received an OBE. David Brown of North Cornwall, James Hehir of Ipswich and Mary Laird Pitcaithly of Falkirk also got OBEs.

Bob Hepworth, director of urban regeneration and housing at St Helen’s council, received an MBE. Sue Strickland, now antisocial behaviour manager at Bristol council, was made an MBE for tackling the city’s begging as the city’s single homeless and rough-sleeping manager.

Four civil servants received honours for housing or regeneration. Paul Everall, head of the ODPM’s building division, and John Cornish, formerly head of building control in the Scottish executive’s development department, got CBEs. Chris Stendall, head of regional regeneration programmes at the ODPM, and Ralph Luck, director of regeneration quango English Partnerships, were made OBEs.

There were also MBEs for staff at two London homelessness charities: Julie Jarrett, manager of St Mungo’s homeless hostel in Camden, and Leslie Truman of the Passage Day Centre in central London. Gerard Vignola, formerly a tenant adviser for Hammersmith & Fulham Federation of Tenants and Residents Associations, got an MBE.