Top job will not hit top of the scale

Top-ranking housing professionals are being offered a unique career boosting opportunity -provided they don't mind being paid less than their peers.

The Audit Commission this week began the search for the first ever chief inspector of housing, responsible for running the inspection squads who will scrutinise council housing.

Commission director of inspection Paul Vevers told Housing Today they are looking for someone "at the top of the housing world" who possesses a "sensitivity to the needs of consumers".

The Chris Woodhead-style authority figure will also be the commission's national voice to the public and the media on housing issues, as well as having a major role in spreading good practice.

But the anticipated salary, around £80,000 a year, will be significantly less than that earned by the Ofsted chief - and the majority of the "top class professionals" in housing that the commission has in mind for the job, which is advertised in this week's Housing Today.

Woodhead's salary was boosted to £115,000 in September from £88,000 after he felt it was unfair that other watchdog leaders were earning between £110,000 and £130,000.

A housing association boss on such a salary would fail to make Housing Today's top ten chief executive salary league.

Vevers said the "substantial package" would depend upon the candidate's background. "It will be related to experience, but it's the sort of package that chief housing officers at bigger housing associations would get. Most of those people would currently be on around £80k," he said.

Vevers conceded that as the face of the forthcoming "tough and fair" regime, the inspector is likely to face criticism from both tenants and officers during their career.

He said: "People may not necessarily agree with the findings of any given inspection, but what matters is that the inspection is respected by both professionals and tenants."

They will also be charged with boosting the profile of housing through annual reports and media activity, as well as working with central and local government.

Travel would be involved as "we expect them to be in touch with the key figures in housing," he added. "This is a unique opportunity for a person with a track record in achievement. Its going to be a very significant figure in housing."