Career History

Chief Commercial Housing Officer, Hft (Supported Housing Charity)

August 2023 – August 2024

• Executive Director with property portfolio responsibility
• Responsible for overall housing services including:
  • Property Development – build, acquire, lease
  • Repairs & Maintenance
  • Asset Management compliance 
  • Housing management
• Produced housing strategy:
  • Property options appraisal
  • Implemented more robust asset management strategy
  • Updated KPI housing management targets
  • Rent restructuring process
• Completed review of housing asset utilisation (sell, refurbish, lease)
• Reviewed and implemented more effective operational service structure.
• Reviewed and implemented more effective operational procedures.
• Finalised housing management software implementation and processes/policies.

New Homes Lead (Interim Consultant), Southampton City Council

November 2021 – July 2023

• Devised strategy and obtained Cabinet approval to establish a framework of affordable housing providers to deliver growth of 8000 units
• Established strategic relationship with 7 key registered providers
• Sourced council owned land and appraised for disposal through mini-tender process
• Responsible for legal/commercial arrangements for land disposal for property development
• Devised ITT documentation for framework and land disposal process
• Member of New Homes Board and Property Division Senior Management Team

Head of Investment, Places for People Living Plus (Supported Housing)                                        

July 2019 – October 2021

• Lead for sourcing, development and delivery of £115m of new build extracare/retirement properties
• Responsible for legal development agreements, land acquisitions, SLA contracts
• Identification and delivery of new opportunities for market segment
• Lead on key stakeholder management – private developers, social housing providers, care providers and local authorities
• Establishment of partnership agreements with strategic housing authorities and care/support providers
• Responsible for viability, appraisals and approval for development programme (including risk management and business case submission to Board) for both new build and property acquisitions
• Implemented property viability options appraisal – refurbish, redevelop or disposal
• Strategic contact for departmental regulatory compliance, performance and delivery with Homes England

Exec Director of Assets & Development, C&C Housing Trust  

March 2017 – July 2019

• Group executive lead for corporate property growth, asset management, health & safety and property compliance for all housing
• Executive Board member for subsidiary development company
• Executive sponsor for Group Investment Committee
• Established framework of development partners for housing – established JV with private developer to deliver 350 units of accommodation in St Johns Wood, London
• Responsible for identification of opportunities and establishing new partnerships whilst maintaining/growing established relationships
• Presentation and reporting to Board on appraisals, risk mapping and recommendation of development opportunities (land/property acquisition, s.106 & direct build)
• Direct management of 5 heads of department
  • Property Development
  • Asset Management
  • Repairs & Maintenance
  • Property Compliance
  • Health & Safety
• Established C&C Direct (in house DLO repairs service)
• Devised and implemented 5-year strategy for property & service development and asset management programme
• Attained Investment Partner status with GLA
• Attained regulatory upgrade from G2 to G1

Development Director, Lifeways                                           

July 2014 – March 2017

• Strategic lead in business growth across England and Scotland through management of business development team for supported housing
• Reviewed and implemented transitional housing management service to monitor and improve housing services to residents
• Monthly reporting to Board on growth, performance and achievements
• Devised and implemented sales tracking & projection system
• 450 supported living properties acquired through private investment partner, partnering with social housing providers/CIC and local authorities
• Effected “Key Account Management” system to enhance growth potential.
• Produced and implemented national and regional business development plans utilising research methodology to target key growth areas

Head of Strategy Delivery, Housing 21                                 

Sept 2011 – Feb 2014

• National lead for corporate business growth, covering both property and care services reporting directly to the Chief Executive
• Lead officer for stock acquisition/disposal
• Responsible for development and delivery of corporate strategic growth objectives & reporting at Board on progress & recommendations for new opportunities – project lead on £150m JV with developer and local authority to deliver c350 units of accommodation
• Member of Investment and Project Committee with delegated authority of £20m capital development budget per project
• Lead HCA contact for development regulation/performance
• Responsible for the development and delivery of 2600 units of accommodation
• Implemented property viability options appraisal – refurbish, redevelop or disposal
• Led and maintained key stakeholder relationship management process – local authorities, commissioners, developers and regulatory bodies

Head of New Business and Sales, Housing 21                      

Oct 2008 – Sept 2011

• National lead for property based business growth and property sales (delivery of 2400 units of accommodation)- new build and acquisition from other providers
• Responsible for establishing and developing strategic relationships with both private and public sector partners to assist in the delivery of their strategic housing needs
• Line management of business development managers, project partnership managers, sales and marketing manager
• Responsible for land acquisitions, build contracts and project appraisals, and sales valuations, scheme marketing programmes, and sales tools (incentives, offers, benefits advice)
• Achieved successful growth record and sales income of £42m
• Member of Investment and Project Committee.
• Implemented improved delivery procedures for new build schemes delivering reduced void times and maximising rental/sales income

Executive Operations Director, Ability Housing Association         

Jan 2005 – Oct 2008

• Executive Director reporting to the Chief Executive – responsible for housing management, support services, property development, property acquisition, property services and quality and improvement
• Implemented change management programme to be customer led rather than commissioner focussed
• Instigated operational restructure from regional based structure to service based
• Achievement of obtaining HCA grant through two development consortium to increase development growth
• Achieved ISO9001 and IIP status whilst in post

Head of Business Development, Hanover Property Management Ltd    

Aug 2000 – Jan 2005

• Senior manager reporting to the Chief Executive – responsible for housing services, business growth, marketing, and customer & support services
• Established business development team with corporate targets for growth
• Established partnership protocol for national developers (Barratts, McCarthy & Stone, Taylor Wimpey, St James Homes) – agreeing lease terms, legal agreements, and funding arrangements.
• Acquisition of freehold interest on 12 sites – establishing of management companies for each.
• Produced operational housing management model for private extra care accommodation with McCarthy & Stone

Regional Operations Mgr, Hanover Property Management        

Mar 1997 – Aug 2000

• Manager of housing and technical services to 900 units of leasehold retirement/extracare accommodation
• Implemented amended service charge process highlighted as best practice by ARHM
• Undertook review and alignment of commercial leases to provide consistent service across all schemes in England
• Carried out annual consultation meetings with all residents with regards service charge levels and service delivery
• Member of regional ARHM committee

Housing Manager, Orbit Housing Association                      1992 – Mar 1997

• Housing management and maintenance services to 500 residents

Services Director, Warwickshire Property Services Ltd       1987 – 1992

• Established and operated private property management company
• Implemented policies and working practices

Qualification and Membership

• MSc Housing, De Montfort University
• University Certificate Housing Studies, De Montfort University
• HNC Business and Finance, Lanchester Polytechnic
• Member Chartered Institute of Housing – MCIH
• Member Chartered Management Institute - MCMI