Development officer at Notting Hill Housing Trust, responsible for delivering the private sector leasing programme in west London.
This involved negotiating three-year leases with landlords to move bed-and-breakfast tenants into temporary homes. Sometimes I visited up to eight properties a day. We helped hundreds of people.
The boss
Edie Szet – she was very dynamic and committed to delivering affordable homes.
Any bad memories?
Driving around the North Circular! I lived in Walthamstow, and it was when they were widening the road.
What's the most important thing they taught you?
To deliver. It was important to keep partners informed of progress, and to deliver your promises. In my early career I worked with a number of associations that grew from small beginnings to become leaders in this sector. That vision for growth is something I want to bring to my role as development director at Asra.
What has stayed with you?
You are measured on what you do, and always meet deadlines. Focus on delivery and performance management and you will deliver outcomes with a real social and economic benefit.
I’d recommend working for smaller landlords. It gives you a real breadth of knowledge
My passion is meeting affordable housing need in London and making sure this is done in a way that helps all communities. This is not as easy as it sounds. Asra is known as one of the UK's leading black and ethnic minority associations but we have one of the most diverse customer bases in the country.
Would you treat staff in the same way she treated you?
The support I received is something I value and I try to provide this to my team members.
What would you say to the boss now?
Thanks for the opportunity. I came to housing early in my career and I hope to encourage other young people into the sector.
I'd particularly recommend getting experience in smaller organisations. It gives you a real breadth of knowledge and there is nothing like seeing how your work can help people live the sort of life they want.
Source
Housing Today
Postscript
Mukhtar Latif is development director of Asra Greater London Housing Association
Edie Szet went on to be the chief executive of Cherwell Housing Association. She is now an independent consultant
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