Hugh Laird

Hugh Laird is a qualified housing professional 33 years experience, working for 19 of those years in housing management for Local Authorities and Housing ALMOs, eventually becoming Deputy Chief Executive of a Housing Association.

Hugh has been a housing consultant for 14 of those years and has also been a board member of a Housing Association. Hugh specializes in rescue packages for housing organisations and has helped those who have needed advice and guidance on disciplinary and dispute issues. Hugh has over 10 years experience advising, reviewing and training in governance in the social housing sector. He has led training for 17 years including directors’ development programmes and has developed a full expertise in the full range of Governance issues.

What now for your board during public sector cuts?

October 1st, 2010 by Hugh Laird

I work with board members and chairs in housing organisations all over the country to develop their skills in leadership. Ensuring that your leadership is equipped to deal with the challenges of having to make cuts to services, is now more important than ever, because of the public sector spending re...

FSA Chief brings light touch regulation to an end

March 24th, 2010 by Hugh Laird

The Financial Services Authority (FSA) is dropping its “light touch” regulation approach in a shake up of how it regulates. They are adopting a more 'outcomes' based focus to stem criticism over their handling of the financial crisis. An outcome focus is what the TSA are pledging to as well, ...

Review of 2008 - governance in recession

December 31st, 2008 by Hugh Laird

Here we are again! It is being said that we are all the victims of a lack of governance in the banking sector. Are there lessons here for us to learn in the housing and public sector and how do we ensure we do not cause further problems  in 2009? It's time to take stock, to review and rene...

Credit Crunch: Are you reviewing exposure to risk ?

December 18th, 2008 by Hugh Laird

The Tenant Services Authority (TSA) has written to all Housing associations about what action they should take to ensure that they are managing the risks posed by the problems in the financial markets The TSA advices associations – and by that lets be clear they mean the boards - to ensure...

Equip your organisation to deal with the economic downturn

December 8th, 2008 by Hugh Laird

I speak to housing organisations nearly every day and the issue on everyone's lips is the economic downturn. So how can you safeguard your organisation against the recession? The most important thing is to ensure that those who run your organisation, for example your chair and board members, are equipped...