What brought you to the housing sector?
It was an accident. I was working in family planning and a friend suggested that I apply. I didn't know what a housing association was at the time.
What has been your career path so far and what has been the best part?
I started as a development administrator and was promoted to manager and then to director. I moved into local government before returning as a housing association chief executive, first at Servite Houses and now at Notting Hill. The best part of my career so far is now.
What do you think are the most important skills to work in housing?
A genuine interest in people and how they live their lives, and an affinity for combining social purpose with running a business.
Have you ever considered leaving the sector?
No, never.
The housing sector seems to produce some great anecdotes - what's been your stand out moment?
When I was a social tenant the worst thing that happened to me was that I was loading my weekly shop into the lifts and the lift took off. When it returned my shopping had disappeared. I was really cross at the time, but now it seems quite funny.
If you could give your younger self some career advice, what would it be?
Remember people need continuity as well as change.
What do you think are the biggest challenges currently facing the sector?
Lack of housing supply, lack of borrowing for both organisations and individuals, and a lack of public interest and understanding of the issues.
What would you change about the sector, if you could?
The thing I would like to change is to create a consensus on housing policy so that we can start looking at some innovative solutions to meeting need and aspiration.
Born: Rochdale, Lancashire
Lives: Paddington, London
Education: Brunel, City and Kent universities
Likes: London, travel, exercise, friends and family
Dislikes: Intolerance, unloved public spaces, bureaucracy, offal
Book: Mill on the Floss
Film: Kill Bill
If I wasn't doing this I would be: Running my own business
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