Power Players: The Top 50 Most Influential People in Housing

Published by Jon Land for 24dash.com in Featured and also in Communities, Housing, Local Government

24housing is proud to present its first ever ‘Power Players’ list - a comprehensive guide to the most influential people currently working in, or impacting on, the housing sector.

Our Top 50 list was compiled after polling more than 200 of the country’s most senior housing chief executives, politicians, commentators, academics, lawyers, and other movers and shakers, as well as frontline managers. We asked respondents to rank, from one to five, the people they considered to be the most influential in the sector.

Politicians and those with political influence, perhaps unsurprisingly, dominate the list – especially those of the Conservative persuasion. A total of seven Tory ministers feature in the list along with the likes of Boris Johnson and Stephen Greenhalgh. The Labour Party, meanwhile, is conspicuous by its absence. Perhaps summing up the sector’s frustration at the opposition’s failure to provide a compelling housing strategy of its own, the Shadow Housing Minister Jack Dromey and the Shadow Communities Secretary Hilary Benn are nowhere to be seen. Instead it is left to the old guard of Steve Hilditch and Nick Raynsford alongside a couple of Labour councillors to keep the red flag flying.

Just a small number declined to take part in our survey with one anonymous head of a small homelessness charity giving the reason: “I have searched and looked at everyone I know and have worked for and/or in partnership with over the years. There is no one that comes to mind as being a positive influence in housing. They all collectively cause misery and hardship to people who are marginalised and vulnerable. The people with housing need are a means for them to make millions on the sadness of so many.”

Notably, there is an absence of people from a BME background perceived as most influential. And despite thousands of women holding senior and junior management roles within the sector – only 11 have made it on to the list. This raises serious questions as to who actually wields power within the sector, despite its diversity at many levels.

Nevertheless, it is undeniable that these are the names that will indelibly shape the sector for many years to come.

The 'Power Players' list was researched and compiled on behalf of 24housing magazine by Anita Pati.

1. Grant Shapps

Age: 43
Role: Minister of State for Housing and Local Government, Department for Communities and Local Government

The Conservative MP for Welwyn Hatfield since 2005, Grant Shapps became shadow minister for housing in 2007, taking up his current role as housing minister in May 2010. Born and educated in Hertfordshire, Shapps attended Watford Grammar School and studied business and finance in Manchester before setting up his own printing company, PrintHouse Corporation, at the age of 21.

He is on the Member Speaker’s Committee on the Electoral Commission and has been a member of the Conservative Friends of Israel (1995), Conservative Foreign Affairs Forum (1996) and Vice-chair, (campaigning) for the Conservative Party (2005-09).

Shapps, married to Belinda, has three children: Hadley and twins Tabytha and Noa. He holds a pilot’s licence and is the cousin of Mick Jones, lead guitarist of punk band The Clash.

On coming top in 24housing’s poll, he says: “Whilst I came into politics to try to make a difference rather than to pick up accolades, I’m grateful to 24housing for this recognition. Good quality housing has a vital role to play in the nation’s economic, environmental and social well-being. So I’d hope this reflects my efforts over the past five years – firstly in opposition and more recently in government – to make sure housing stays near the very top of the political, policy and media agenda.”

“Dominates the policy agenda and orchestrates defeat after defeat for the big guns of housing. A smart and active mouth - he’s our answer to Mourhino. Some wish he was a bit more like Davie White – a very short lived Rangers manager!”
Alistair McIntosh, chief executive, Housing Quality Network

“Grant Shapps’ personal commitment to the prevention of rough sleeping and his relentless policy announcements means he is consistently in the housing headlines”
Campbell Robb, chief executive, Shelter

“Grant Shapps – for obvious reasons. Although I don’t necessarily agree with his politics, he does a good job of highlighting housing issues to the mainstream public. He is the most high profile housing minister in a good many years. I just wish he wouldn’t antagonise everyone in the sector and that he’d stop demonising social housing tenants”
Lara Oyedele, chief executive, Odu-Dua Housing Association

“Influential player as a conduit between [David Cameron and George Osborne] and the housing sector. He has floundered very markedly recently and urgently needs to get back in touch with the reality on the ground particularly the rapid loss of housing related support in some areas and the exclusion of housing in the Social Care, Health & Well Being reforms”
Domini Gunn-Peim, director of public health & vulnerable communities, CIH consultancy, Chartered Institute of Housing

“Grant Shapps has changed the face of social housing in the past two years. Shapps now drives the debate on social housing. His initiatives form the landscape we all work in - affordable rents, flexible tenancies, democratic filter, economic regulation, Right to Buy - and the national structures - TSA, Audit Commission and HCA that populate them. Love him or hate him, Shapps is the dominant force in social housing today and the foreseeable future”
Phil Morgan, housing consultant, former chief executive of TPAS

“Grant has overseen the biggest shake-up and re-think in housing for many years. His various projects, if successful, will significantly change the way in which, and the people to whom, housing is provided in the social housing sector, and increase the number and choices for everyone who needs a home”
Cllr Jonathan Glanz, Cabinet Member for Housing and Property, Westminster Council

2. David Orr

Age: 57
Role: Chief Executive of the National Housing Federation

After graduating in 1976 with an MA in Social Administration from Dundee University, David Orr worked with street homeless people in Glasgow before working his way up through various roles at Centre Point Soho (1977-1986). He headed up Newlon Housing Trust (1986-90) then started his long stint at the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations as chief executive between 1990 and 2005 before moving to his current role.

The former president of CECODHAS-Housing Europe, the European Liaison Committee for Social Housing, Orr has also chaired the Mobility Taskforce, which recently reported on how to increase social housing mobility. He also sits on the board of the Housing Finance Corporation and was a member of the Social Investment Task Force.

He is one of the founding directors of My Home Finance, a social enterprise set up by the NHF to provide a new high street service offering affordable loans, money advice, bank accounts and linked savings accounts.

In 2010, Orr was awarded an honorary membership of the CIH. He lists his interests as playing squash, watching football and other sports, cinema and theatre, singing and family.

“Shepherd of the housing association flock”
Bruce Moore, chief executive, Hanover Housing Association

“Still a very weighty presence and one who will have massive influence over the sector’s capacity to deliver under the coalition government”
Tim Doyle, chief executive, City West Housing Trust

“Because he is a persuasive, committed and passionate advocate for social justice and decent housing for all”
David Ashmore, group chief executive, GreenSquare Group

“David Orr, who has really become a spokesperson for the sector. He’s been really quite visible in the media. Plus he’s a really good public speaker”
Clare Lawrance, supported housing manager, Colne Housing

3. Iain Duncan Smith

Age: 58
Role: Secretary of State for Work and Pensions

Self-dubbed “the quiet man”, Iain Duncan Smith was elected MP for Chingford in 1992 then re-elected in 1997 as MP for the re-drawn constituency of Chingford and Woodford Green. He was promoted to William Hague’s shadow cabinet in 1997 as social security secretary. In 2001, Smith was elected leader of the Conservative Party but was forced to step down in 2003 after a vote of no confidence. He set up the Centre for Social Justice in 2004, a think tank focusing on poverty and social breakdown which works mainly with small charities.

Smith was educated at the Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst and as part of the Scots Guards saw active service in Northern Ireland and Zimbabwe, also serving in Canada and Germany.

He has worked for defence company GEC-Marconi, property company Bellwinch and has been on the board of Jane’s Information Group, a publishing company.

He married Betsy in 1982 and has four children.

“He is at the heart of key issues for housing and our residents. The proposals to end HB direct would have a negative impact on the costs of funding new homes. The Work Programme also needs to be adapted so that it is easier for housing associations to access funding to get jobs for people in their homes and communities”
Steve Howlett, chief executive of Peabody

“Iain Duncan Smith, due to the overall benefits cap and the changes in single person occupancy rules. Although the government is trying to ensure that people only have the minimal accommodation for their family size/age, we all know the housing market doesn’t work that way. The result will be either people moving to cheaper accommodation or struggling to pay rent on reduced benefits. Since this affects the whole of the rented market and not just social housing, I’d argue that Iain Duncan Smith has more influence than Grant Shapps”
John Perry, CIH policy advisor

4. George Osborne

Age: 40
Role: Chancellor of the Exchequer

In May 2010, George Osborne was appointed Chancellor of the Exchequer having been shadow chancellor from May 2005. He became the youngest Chancellor of the Exchequer since Randolph Churchill in 1886, taking the role at age 38.

The MP for Tatton was born in London and studied modern history at Oxford University. He joined the Conservative research department in 1994 after working as a freelance journalist for a short period.

Osborne was shadow chief secretary to the Treasury (Sept 2004-May 2005), shadow economic secretary, shadow work and pensions minister and opposition whip. He also sat on the Public Accounts Select Committee. He has been MP for Tatton since 2001 after the departure of Independent MP Martin Bell and is heir to the Osborne and Little wallpaper fortune.

“George Osborne has to be the first choice because ultimately housing is an economic rather than a planning issue. Only sustained investment will solve the housing crisis and Osborne is the only one with the power to think more creatively about channelling private and public investment into building new homes”
Campbell Robb, chief executive, Shelter

“While having no direct say on housing, George Osborne is clearly the most influential since macro-economic policy attuned to austerity is determining key housing policy outcomes including interest rates, credit availability for first time buyers, levels of investment in new housing, release of land, affordable rent, the rejuvenated RtB and decisions on welfare and housing benefit rates”
Kevin Gulliver, director, Human City Institute

“Chancellor of the Exchequer (currently George Osborne) has to be number one in 'most influential' list because he has control of the government expenditure detail including what is spent on housing subsidies, housing benefit, supporting people etc.”
David Bogle, chief executive, Hightown Praetorian & Churches Housing Association

5. Julian Ashby

Age: 65
Role: Chair of the HCA Regulation Committee

Julian Ashby is the new HCA Regulation Committee chair and was deputy chair of the Tenant Services Authority before its closure this month through the Localism Bill. Ashby is also chair of the Institute for Voluntary Action Research and chair of the Financial Information Company which publishes a specialist housing journal. Ashby has over 30 years’ experience of the social housing sector. His career started at management trainee level at Morgan Grenfell (1969-1971), before he worked his way up through Circle 33 Housing Trust as deputy director (1974-79) to become chief executive of the Housing Association Consultancy & Advisory Service (1979-86). He was a director of Tribal Consulting Ltd between 2004-08 before joining the TSA. He was also the independent social housing adviser to the Cave review of social housing regulation.

Ashby is married with three children and has, “just become a grandfather for the first time”. “My wife is Finnish. She and our children (but not me) jointly own a small wooden farmhouse in central Finland. It is the complete antidote to London.”

He says he is a racket sports enthusiast and plays computer games: “My excuse is that my son writes games software and I clearly need to be supportive. I’m a DIY person by instinct and have a go at most things including electrics, plumbing and even welding.”

“Julian has played a huge role in the growth and change of the housing association sector over several decades. From trouble-shooter to governance expert to regulator, his thought leadership has always shone through, and his judgment has always been spot on”
James Tickell, director of Campbell Tickell

“Julian Ashby, for his influence on achieving a genuinely light touch but effective regulatory regime for social housing”
Philippa Jones, executive director, Bromford Group

6. Keith Exford

Age: 57
Role: Chief Executive of the Affinity Sutton Group

Keith Exford’s career in housing spans over 35 years, starting at Southwark Council in 1975. Exford was chief executive at Broomleigh Housing Association in 1992, becoming chief executive of Downland Affinity in 2003 and finally chief executive of Affinity Sutton when it was created in 2006 from all three organisations. He has also worked at the Housing Corporation and Wandle Housing Association.

He chairs the G15 group of London’s largest housing associations, is a non-executive director of The Housing Finance Corporation and has served on numerous working groups including most recently the Joseph Rowntree Housing Market Task Force. He was appointed in February 2012 to the expert advisory group looking at accelerating the release of public land.

“Keith is always a clear and strong advocate for housing associations and what they are capable of. Brings real clarity to the need for independence and has done a great job in leading G15”
David Orr, chief executive, National Housing Federation

7. Lord Richard Best

Age: 66
Role: Crossbench peer and President, Local Government Association

Lord Richard Best became a crossbench independent life peer in 2001 and believes at the age of 66 he is, “the oldest of The People in Housing”. As well as president of the LGA, he is currently a member of the House of Lords Economic Affairs Committee, chair of Hanover Housing Association and patron of Housing Action Charitable Trust (HACT) among many other positions.

He was previously chief executive of the Joseph Rowntree Foundation/Housing Trust (1988-2006) and headed up the National Federation Association of Housing Associations between 1973 and 1988. He was also chair of the Housing our Ageing Population; Panel for Innovation (HAPPI) from 2009 to 2010.

“For his lobbying on the implications of welfare reforms” Victor da Cunha, group chief executive, Somer Housing Group

8. Greg Clark

Age: 44
Role: Minister of State at Communities and Local Government

From July 2011, Tunbridge Wells MP Greg Clark has been Minister for Cities having been appointed Minister of State at the DCLG in May 2010. He is also Minister for Decentralisation.

Clark was director of policy for the Conservative Party from March 2001 for William Hague, Iain Duncan Smith and Michael Howard.

“Whilst a lot of the focus of the last 18 months has been on the massive reforms to housing funding, regulation and tenure introduced by Grant Shapps, a lot of this represents the continuation of policy trends that were already emerging prior to the change of government. The changes in planning, community rights and localism piloted by Greg Clark through the Localism Act, many of which will be implemented during 2012, are wholly new, and promise equally big changes over the next 2-3 years in the local operating environment for housing providers”
Matt Leach, chief executive, HACT

9. Sir Bob Kerslake

Age: 57
Role: Head of the Civil Service and Permanent Secretary at the Department for Communities and Local Government

From responsibility for transport finance at the Great London Council between1982-5, Sir Bob led the councils at the London Borough of Hounslow (1990-97) and at Sheffield City Council (1997-2008) before he took up the post of chief executive at the Homes and Communities Agency between March 2008-November 2010. He was appointed as permanent secretary at the DCLG on 1 November 2010 and as head of the civil service on January 1 of this year.

“The keeper of the keys to the door”
Gordon Perry, chief executive Accent Group

“For years overseeing the sector and now pursuing a number of promising routes for policy such as institutional investment in PRS, planning, housing benefit reform etc.”
Kurt Mueller, external affairs manager, Grainger Plc

10. Eric Pickles

Age: 60
Role: Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government

Married to Irene, Eric Pickles cites bird watching, films (particularly Westerns) and opera among his interests. He was born in Keighley, educated at Greenhead Grammar School and Leeds Polytechnic before becoming a councillor then leader of Bradford City Council.

He became MP for Brentwood and Ongar in April 1992, was vice chairman of the Conservative Party 1994-97, deputy chairman 2005-07 then chairman of the Conservative Party between January 2009 and May 2010 when he took up his current position.

“Eric Pickles controls planning, and planning determines how expensive houses are to buy and rent”
Dr Tim Leunig, Reader in Economic History, London School of Economics and CentreForum think tank

11. David Montague

Age: 48
Role: Group Chief Executive of L&Q

David Montague has worked at L&Q since 1989 in finance roles before becoming group director of finance. This led him to his current role as chief executive in 2008.

After an education at Colfes Grammar School in London, Montague joined the Ministry of Defence as a clerical officer in 1979, becoming an administrator at the Greater London Council campaign headquarters in 1984. Montague is a Fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants and writes and lectures on social housing and business planning issues.

“David is the most recognised face in housing, clearly has the ear of government and has proved to be an effective spokeperson for housing generally and London’s housing issues in particular. Under his leadership, L&Q now builds more homes than most, if not all, the housebuilders in London”
Hugo Stephens, partner, Cobbetts LLP

“L&Q always appears to be pushing boundaries in the sector and my impression is that when L&Q speaks, people take notice and listen”
Peter Lunio, associate director, Baker Tilly Tax and Accounting Limited

12. Richard Blakeway

Age: 33
Role: Advisor for Housing, Greater London Authority

Appointed to the Greater London Authority in September 2008, Richard Blakeway’s role involves leading Mayor Boris Johnson’s statutory housing strategy across the capital.

Blakeway worked in the House of Commons for seven years and worked on the Conservative Party’s policy review before joining the Boris Johnson campaign as an advisor on several portfolios, including social policy and housing.

He is a member of the Homes and Communities Agency’s London Board and chairs the London Delivery Board to end rough sleeping.

“He will influence the housing/regeneration budgets (worth about £1.9 billion) in London post April 2012 – that is why we are meeting him to discuss Supporting People cuts!!”
Anonymous housing association chief executive

13. Tony Stacey

Age: 56
Role: Chief Executive, South Yorkshire Housing Association, Chair of PlaceShapers Group

Tony Stacey became chief executive of South Yorkshire Housing Association in 1995 and chair of the PlaceShapers Group in 2010.

He worked at Hexagon Housing Association as chief executive between 1986 and 1995, prior to which he was at London and Quadrant Housing Trust 1979-86 as senior housing officer and head of special projects. He graduated from the University of York in 1979 with an English degree.

“Effectively putting the case for local, community housing associations”
David Bogle, chief executive, Hightown Praetorian & Churches Housing Association

“At the forefront of showcasing what locally focused providers can do (and should be doing) for their customers and communities”
Abigail Davies, assistant director of policy & practice, CIH

14. Sarah Webb

Age: 49
Role: Former Chief Executive, Chartered Institute of Housing

Sarah Webb took over as CIH’s chief executive in 2008 (where she worked until her death in September 2011) having led its policy and practice directorate for four years.

Widely respected in the sector, her previous roles included that of senior civil servant at the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, head of strategy at Birmingham City Council, chief executive of a community-based housing association in Scotland, academic research and five years as a private sector housing and regeneration consultant.

Webb began her career as a housing officer in Glasgow, worked for the Scottish Council for Single Homeless and was also chair of the Black Country Housing Group. She was awarded a CBE in the Queen’s birthday honours list in 2010.

“I continue to be both influenced and inspired by Sarah Webb, as I have been since I first met her. She wanted nothing more or less than for everyone in the sector to be brilliant!”
Alison Inman, former chair of the National Federation of ALMOs

“Right up to her tragic death, she was in the thick of influencing housing policy and knew how best to make a convincing case for housing investment”
Philippa Jones, executive director, Bromford Group

“A longstanding policy expert in the housing sector… an inspiration to a generation of housing people. She is sadly missed, but her passion for housing lives on”
David Montague, chief executive L&Q

“Although sadly died her legacy lives on”
Gordon Perry, chief executive Accent Group

15. Pat Ritchie

Age: 52
Role: Chief Executive, Homes and Communities Agency

Pat Ritchie took up the role of chief executive of the HCA on 1 November 2010 having formerly been the director for the North East since the launch of the Agency in December 2008. She started working in careers guidance at Newcastle City Council in 1983 then worked in various posts in economic development and regeneration for Newcastle and Sunderland City Councils before becoming assistant chief executive (strategy) at One North East in 2004 for five years.

“The HCA was given a tough job to get the new investment regime in place while managing a substantial programme of downsizing. Pat has led that process with great ability and good humour”
David Orr, chief executive of the National Housing Federation

= 15. Tony Pidgley

Age: 65
Role: Chairman and founder of Berkeley Group Holdings

Tony Pidgley, who famously spent his early years living in a disused railway carriage, left secondary modern school at age 15 to form his own company in haulage and plant hire which he sold six years later to Crest Homes. At Crest, he became a building director reporting to managing director, Jim Farrer, before both men left in 1975 to launch Berkeley Homes. The company grew over the next decade, floating on the Unlisted Securities Market in 1984, and gained a full listing in 1985 as The Berkeley Group plc.

“Seen as a guru, best able to influence government on housebuilder support”
Geeta Nanda, CEO Thames Valley Housing.

“A housing bellwether”
David Montague, chief executive L&Q

17. Terrie Alafat

Age: 57
Role: Director of Housing Growth and Affordable Housing, DCLG

Prior to Terrie Alafat’s current role, which she took up in 2010, she held several DCLG positions including director of housing delivery and homelessness. Between 1985 and 2002 she worked at the London Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, moving her way up from research officer in social services to director of housing. She has also been director of homelessness and housing support at the ODPM (2003-06). Her qualifications include a degree in government/Russian, certificate in Arabic, MA in education and PhD in comparative education.

“Terrie has managed a huge workload with the legislative programme and the housing strategy. And despite big changes and downsizing in the department, Terrie has been approachable and consultative throughout”
David Orr, chief executive, National Housing Federation

18. David Cameron

Age: 45
Role: UK Prime Minister

After graduating with a first class degree in Philosophy, Politics and Economics from Oxford University, Eton-educated David Cameron worked for the Conservative Party research department and then as a special advisor in government before spending seven years at Carlton Communications.

He was elected leader of the Conservative Party in December 2005 when he was appointed shadow secretary of state for education and skills. He became Prime Minister after the general election in May 2010, leading a Conservative/Liberal Democrat coalition government. He had previously been shadow deputy leader of the House of Commons in 2003.

Cameron has been MP for Witney since 2001 and lives with his wife Samantha and their three young children in London and West Oxfordshire.

19. Campbell Robb

Age: 42
Role: Chief Executive of Shelter

Campbell Robb graduated from Edinburgh University with an MA in history and politics. Between 1992-93, he was a researcher for David Blunkett MP and worked in press and PR for organisations including the British Dental Association until 1996 when he became press officer for Chris Smith MP for a year. Between 1998-2007, he was head of campaigns, and then director of public policy at the National Council for Voluntary Organisations. He was an advisor to the Treasury on a third sector review between 2007-8 then director general at the third sector and social exclusion unit in the Cabinet Office between 2008-10. He took up his present post in January 2010.

Robb is married with two children and lives in North London. His interests include being a school governor, keeping an allotment and cooking.

“For countering some of the myths being peddled by the government regarding homelessness”
Anonymous housing association CEO

20. Councillor Stephen Greenhalgh

Age: 44
Role: Conservative leader of Hammersmith & Fulham Council

The Fulham-based, married father of three children has been Hammersmith & Fulham Council leader since 2006, a councilor since 1996 and was a member of the Mayor of London’s Forensic Audit Panel of London Development Agency/GLA (2008). Soon afterwards, Eric Pickles MP asked him to head up a new Conservative Councils Innovation Unit. The keen cyclist and former president of Cambridge University (1988) has a BA in history and law (1985-1989) but is due to step down as leader from next month (May) in order to concentrate on a pilot community budget scheme in White City, a deprived part of the borough. However, he will continue in his role as managing director of BIBA Medical (1994-present).

“Greenhalgh was and remains a key architect of housing reform. He is made of the same stuff as his Westminster colleague Grant Shapps: a businessman with a good grasp of the housing sector who has no fear of challenging any entrenched and vested interests in his pursuit of political goals”
Anonymous.

21. Stewart Baseley

Age: 53
Role: Executive chairman, Home Builders Federation

Stewart Baseley has been on the board of HBF since 2002 becoming its executive chairman in 2005. He began his housebuilding career with Crest Nicholson in 1983 before moving to Charles Church, where he became chief executive in 1990 for eight years. He then became chairman and chief executive of Centex UK in 1998 which in 1999 acquired Fairclough Homes. He has worked with the government on such stimulus measures as the New Build Mortgage Indemnity scheme, HomeBuy Direct, Kickstart and FirstBuy. Baseley is also a board member of the National House-Building Council, Banner Homes and is chairman of charity Habitat for Humanity UK.

“We’re facing unprecedented challenges in the housing sector, with issues around financing and the supply of new homes crucial to the debate on how we house our nation. Stewart Baseley [and Tony Pidgley] are at the forefront of this debate”
David Cowans, chief executive, Places for People

22. Nick Atkin

Age: 43
Role: Chief Executive of Halton Housing Trust

Doncaster Rovers fan, Nick Atkin, worked as an estate management officer between 1990 and 1994 for Warrington Borough Council, assistant regional housing manager at Northern Counties Housing Association (1994-97), and area manager at William Sutton Housing Association (1997-2000) before he jumped to the Audit Commission Housing Inspectorate as a housing inspector in the North for two years. He then became head of housing at the same Inspectorate (North) until his current appointment to Halton Housing Trust in 2005.

His other roles include being a non-executive director for Warrington Primary Care Trust (Oct 06-present), a Northern Housing Consortium board member from July 2008, Chartered Institute of Housing NW Branch policy officer and an external examiner for PgCert/PgDip/MSc Housing Practice at the University of Salford.

“He is always at the forefront of housing and innovation. He’s exceptionally creative and his latest mission to champion better use of social media in housing to engage more effectively with and understand our customers is exceptional. He is significantly influencing people to think about how they work and how their organisations can improve, adapt and future proof themselves. His use of Twitter is very powerful - take a look, it’s clear he inspires people!”
Lisa Pickard, chief executive of Leeds & Yorkshire Housing Association (LYHA)

23. Steve Hilditch

Age: 62
Role: Independent housing consultant and author of ‘Red Brick’ blog

Originally from Newcastle, grammar-school educated Steve Hilditch graduated from the London School of Economics in 1977 with an MSc in social policy (housing and planning) before a career in mainly local authority and voluntary sector housing. From housing research officer at the London Borough of Camden, 1977-1979, Hilditch became housing renewal team leader and policy advisor at Haringey Council between 1979-81. After a three-year stint as head of housing policy at Shelter, he returned to Haringey Council as assistant director of housing for five years. Since 1990, he has been a freelance consultant and researcher. He is chair of the London Labour Housing Group, co-editor of Red Brick Housing Blog and was independent chair of the National Tenant Voice Project Group between 2008-10, advising the CLG on setting up the NTV. He is, in his own words, been “an obsessive follower of Newcastle United for over 50 years”.

“The Red Brick blog www.redbrick.wordpress.com is an well-informed critique of current government housing policy, exposing the inconsistencies, double-speak and downright untruths peddled by government ministers to justify their failure to deliver more homes for those in need. Steve is also an active promoter of Council initiative designed to deliver more social housing”
Paul Dimoldenberg, managing director of Quatro PR and City of Westminster councillor

24. Dame Fiona Reynolds

Age: 54
Role: Director General, National Trust

Cumbria-born Dame Fiona Reynolds has headed up the National Trust since January 2001, before which, she was director of the Women’s Unit in the Cabinet Office. She studied geography and land economy at Cambridge University between 1976-79 and has an MPhil in land economy. Between 1987-92, she was assistant director (policy) at the Council for the Protection of Rural England.

Dame Reynolds was awarded a CBE for services to the environment and conservation in 1998, a DBE in 2008, and is married with three daughters, living near Cirencester. She is a member of the Commission on the Future of Volunteering.

“Dame Fiona not only helped thwart planning reform this time but in 1990, helping ensure inelastic land supply and in part stoking the housing bubble”
Alex Morton, senior research fellow for housing & planning, Policy Exchange

25. Peter Walls

Age: 59
Role: Group Chief Executive, Gentoo Group

Peter Walls has worked in housing throughout his career and held a senior executive position since the early age of 26. Positions include being housing executive of Washington Development Corporation, director of housing, and then health and housing for the Sunderland City Council and group chief executive of Sunderland Housing Group which re-branded to Gentoo Group in 2007.

In addition, Peter has chaired Two Castles Housing Association for 10 years, the Northern Consortium of Housing Authorities for seven years and is a former branch chair of the Chartered Institute of Housing.

“For the inspirational element - a great innovator within the sector”
Tim Doyle, chief executive, City West Housing Trust

= 25. Mervyn King

Age: 64
Role: Governor of the Bank of England and chairman of the Monetary Policy Committee

Mervyn King was Bank of England deputy governor from 1998 to 2003 and chief economist and executive director from 1991. King was a non-executive director of the bank from 1990 to 1991.

He studied at King’s College, Cambridge, and Harvard (as a Kennedy Scholar), teaching at Cambridge and Birmingham Universities. From October 1984 he was professor of economics at the London School of Economics where he founded the financial markets group.

“Because the supply of credit is key to the future of housing markets”
Matthew Fox, chief executive, Viridian Housing

“Decisions on interest rates and injections of liquidity into the economy have had a huge impact, and hence Mervyn King must be considered a key player in the housing sector”
Alex Morton, senior research fellow for housing & planning, Policy Exchange

= 25. Michelle Reid

Age: 44
Role: Chief Executive, Tenant Participation Advisory Service

Michelle Reid joined TPAS as chief executive in April 2009. Prior to that she spent seven years as chief executive of George House Trust (2002-09), an HIV social care charity. Between 1995 and 1999 she worked at English Churches Housing Group variously in business, policy and services, developing new supported housing and advice services across the north of England in such areas as drugs and alcohol.

Born and raised in Northumberland, Reid studied English and theatre at the University of Manchester and has lived in Manchester for the past twenty years.

“Michelle took on an almost unachievable task of transforming TPAS, making it viable as a business, changing its focus to respond to the sector and at the same time, lobbying hard for tenant involvement against a political backdrop that is perceived to have lessened the importance of tenant involvement and empowerment”
Lisa Pickard, chief executive of Leeds & Yorkshire Housing Association (LYHA)

28. Lord David Freud

Age: 61
Role: Minister for Welfare Reform

David Freud is commonly seen as the welfare reform tsar. He currently has responsibility for housing support including housing benefit, welfare reform, related benefits, and fraud and error.

He was appointed shadow minister for welfare reform in February 2009 and was also a member of the Economic Recovery Council advising the Conservative leader, David Cameron from February 2009 to May 2010.

Freud was chief executive of The Portland Trust, which aims to promote peace between Israelis and Palestinians, between 2005-2008 and remains a trustee and director there. He was also vice chairman of investment banking for UBS retiring in 2003. Before his banking career, he was a journalist at the Financial Times for eight years, four of which were spent writing the Lex column.

“Lord Freud, as the changes he proposed in welfare reform will influence the sector for the next decade”
Jonathan Magee, head of housing practice, Hay Group

29. John Bird

Age: 66
Role: Founder and editor-in-chief, The Big Issue

John Bird founded The Big Issue in 1991 with Gordon Roddick, developing the magazine first sold on Britain’s streets by homeless people into a social enterprise with branches across the world. He holds honorary degrees from John Moores University, Liverpool and Oxford Brookes University and puts the award of his MBE down to his, “motivation, leadership, drive, learning from your mistakes, and turning rejection into something positive”.

He says: “I have been homeless, an offender, and an addict. Yet I’ve achieved more than many who started life with more advantages than me. I am now ready to help other people to realise their goals.”

30. Sally Hancox

Age: 48
Role: Director of Gentoo Green

Sally Hancox, recently awarded an MBE for services to reducing carbon emissions and fuel poverty in social housing, began working in housing 25 years ago. She started her career as a housing assistant in East London. Hancox was involved in the stock transfer to Sunderland Housing Group in 2001 and led the North Company through the renewal and modernisation process before being appointed director of Gentoo Green in 2007.

Previously a board member of Sustainable Homes, Sally has recently been appointed to the UK Green Building Council policy committee.

“Delivering affordable warmth for social housing residents is one of the key challenges facing the sector at the moment. Sally is passionate about this subject and has delivered real change in a relatively short space of time. Her views are respected due to her down to earth approach and focus on practical solutions. Her recently awarded MBE recognises her work on sustainability and the impact she has made on housing”
Mark Jones, managing director, Wherry Housing Association

31. Steve Webb

Age: 46
Role: Minister for Pensions

Liberal Democrat MP Steve Webb became pensions minister in May 2010 under the new coalition government.

Webb’s parliamentary responsibilities have included being the Liberal Democrats’ spokesman on work and pensions between 1999-2005 and later in 2009, and Lib Dem spokesman on energy and climate change (2008).

Before being elected in 1997 as Liberal Democrat MP for Northavon, where he lives with his wife and two children, Webb studied philosophy, politics and economics at Oxford University. He also worked as an economist at the Institute for Fiscal Studies from 1986 to 1995 before being appointed professor of social policy at Bath University.

Webb is actively involved in the Parliamentary Christian Fellowship and cites his hobbies as internet/computing, and being an armchair supporter of West Bromwich Albion.

32. Councillor Tony Newman

Age: 53
Role: LGA Labour lead for housing, leader of the opposition, Croydon Council

Born in Guildford, Surrey, Cllr Newman was elected to Croydon Council as Labour member for Woodside in 1994, became chairman of the environment sub-committee in 1995 before taking up chairmanship of the housing committee in 1996. In 2000, he became deputy leader and housing chair of Croydon Council, leader of the council in 2004 then opposition leader in 2006. He has worked with a housing cooperative, housing associations and the charity Shelter and holds an Open University degree in politics and environment.

“Encyclopedic knowledge of all matters HRA related. No one comes close!”
Cllr Clyde Loakes, environment cabinet member, Waltham Forest Council

33. Ann Santry

Age: 53
Role: Chief Executive, Sovereign Housing Association

Santry has headed up Sovereign since November 1999 and has worked in housing since 1980. She is vice chair of the National Housing Federation, having served as a board member since 2006 and is chair of CASE (Consortium of Associations in the South East). Before joining Sovereign, Santry was chief executive of Swaythling Housing Society in Southampton. She has also worked as development director for the Guinness Trust and in development roles for Notting Hill and Newlon Housing Trusts.

“An inspiration to women executives everywhere and exactly the sort of person we need to spearhead the housing profession in the 21st century: clear-minded, straight-talking, courteous, funny, determined and pragmatic.”
Ian Hembrow, senior consultant with The Bridge Group and freelance journalist, housing consultant and commentator

34. John Denny

Age: 52
Role: Group Chief Executive, Cosmopolitan Housing Group

John Denny is the new group chief executive of Cosmopolitan Housing Group following its merger with Chester & District Housing Trust on December 1 2011. He had previously been chief executive of Chester & District Housing Trust from 2005 to Dec 2011. From the ages of 16 to 21, Denny worked at a steelworks before becoming a mechanical engineer at the British Steel Corporation (1976-1981). Between 1984 and 1987, he was environmental education manager at Warrington & Runcorn Development Corporation then regional housing manager, (starting as housing officer) at Northern Counties Housing Association (1987-1997). He moved to Irwell Valley Housing Association between1997 to 2004 as director of housing & customer services.

“For turning round CDHT and continuing to innovate and looking to wider horizons, for example, the work with Mountains of the Moon University in Uganda, while ensuring excellent services for his own group’s customers”
Janet Hale, housing consultant, Pilkington-Hale

35. Paul Tennant

Age: 51
Role: Chief Executive of Orbit

Appointed CIH Vice President in February, Tennant began work as a housing trainee at Sunderland Borough Council before moving to Orbit in 1985. He took a break from the housing association in 1991, working for organisations such as Housing 21, ECHG and Leeds Federated housing association, returning to Orbit as group chief executive in 2003.

The lifelong supporter of Sunderland Football Club is an NHF Board member and chair of the Audit & Risk Committee, and a board member of HouseMark.

“His recent appointment as CIH Vice President following an open election demonstrates that he has significant support across the profession. The combination of those two roles [CEO and CIH Vice President and ultimately President] at a time of fundamental change for social housing positions Paul uniquely as an ambassador representing the interests of social housing and the profession”
Eamon Lynch, managing director of the Social Landlords Crime and Nuisance Group

36. Boris Johnson

Age: 47
Role: Mayor of London

Boris Johnson was born in New York and moved with his family to London at age five. Eton-educated Boris studied classics at Oxford University where he was also president of the Oxford Union.

The former journalist began as a writer for the Wolverhampton Express and Star before joining The Daily Telegraph in 1987 where he stayed until 1999, the same year he became editor of The Spectator.

In 2001 he was elected MP for Henley on Thames, replacing Michael Heseltine. In 2007, he resigned as shadow education secretary to free him up to stand as Conservative candidate for Mayor of London, clinching the role in 2008. Keen cyclist Boris lives with his four children and wife Marina in north London.

“London is the biggest city and has the biggest housing need which will become his domain”
Geeta Nanda, CEO Thames Valley Housing

37. Grainia Long

Age: 33
Role: Chief Executive, Chartered Institute of Housing

Long became chief executive of the CIH in February, having been interim head since the death of former chief executive Sarah Webb in September 2011. She has been a director at the CIH since 2007, with previous responsibility for corporate strategy and business in Northern Ireland. Her first job in housing was at the Housing Rights Service, Northern Ireland and she has also worked for Shelter in Scotland. Qualifications include a BA in politics and an MA in public and social policy. She is a member of the Institute of Directors and was recently appointed as a commissioner to the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission.

“Goes from strength to strength, a genuinely inclusive leader with vision for the sector”
Alison Inman, former Chair of the National Federation of ALMOs

38. Mick Kent

Age: 59
Role: Chief Executive, Bromford Group

Mick Kent has been chief executive of Bromford Group since July 1984, which in his words is, “probably a bit of a one-off!”

From being a loading bay shifter and sifter in a department store in Welwyn Garden City in 1971, Kent has worked as a national insurance inspector, a property and land surveyor at Circle 33 Housing Trust (1976-77) and development and technical director at Mosscare Housing Ltd (1979-1984) before taking up his current position.

He holds the RYA Yacht Master’s certificate and cites mountain-scrambling with wife Irene, all things Luton Town FC, as well as “working his ticket” on Tall Ship sea crossings to St Kilda & Outer Hebrides among his interests. His proudest moments include his son, actor Daniel West’s recent starring TV roles in ‘The Bill’, ‘South Riding’ and ‘Doctors’. He is currently chair of the board at HouseMark and non-executive director of the board at the NHF.

39. Sir Steve Bullock

Age: 58
Role: Mayor of Lewisham, London Councils housing lead

Knighted in 2007, Mayor Sir Steve Bullock was elected to the London Councils’ executive in June 2010 and is the executive member for housing and chair of the grants committee. He also became Lewisham’s first directly elected mayor in May 2002 and is now in his third term of office. Sir Steve was first elected as a councillor in 1982 and was leader of Lewisham Council from 1988 to 1993. He is currently chair of the Local Government Association’s workforce programme board and recently joined the board of the Museum of London.

Educated at Leeds University between 1972-76 (BA political studies), Sir Steve also has a PGCE from Goldsmith’s College (1990-91). He was born in Redcar, North Yorkshire, and now lives in Forest Hill with his wife, Kris. He enjoys football and folk music.

40. Steve Partridge

Age: 48
Role: Director of Financial Policy and Development, CIH

An accountant by trade, Steve Partridge says he is, “passionate about getting housing finance right”. He is the managing director of CIH’s consultancy and a regular speaker at national and regional conferences on housing finance issues.

Since joining CIH, Partridge has worked to bring the housing revenue account reform agenda to the forefront, working with over one third of councils directly and liaising regularly with government to design the new system.

Partridge has also acted as special adviser to the DCLG select committee in their enquiry “Beyond Decent Homes”. He is a member of the Chartered Institute of Public Finance & Accountancy housing panel and the LGA’s specialist housing advisors panel.

41. Jo Boaden

Age: 55
Role: Chief Executive, Northern Housing Consortium

Jo Boaden joined the Northern Housing Consortium as chief executive in October 2010.

Prior to that she held a number of senior posts in the public and private sector including: director of information and business and enterprise North East, chief executive of the North East Regional Assembly and director of Bridging Newcastle Gateshead, a housing market renewal pathfinder.

Boaden started her career as an environmental health officer in Glasgow, has since worked in London and the North West, and gained an LLB (Hons) and MBA as she developed her career in housing. She is a visiting fellow of Newcastle University Business School.

42. John Hills

Age: 57
Role: Professor of Social Policy and Director of the Centre for Analysis of Social Exclusion at the London School of Economics

John Hills’ research interests include housing, income distribution and the welfare state, social security, and taxation. He is currently leading a review of fuel poverty for the Department of Energy and Climate Change and carried out a review of the aims of social housing for the Secretary of State for Communities in 2006-07. He was also co-director of the LSE’s Welfare State Programme (1988-1997). Hills worked at the Institute for Fiscal Studies between 1982 and 1984, for the House of Commons Select Committee on the Treasury (1980-82), and at the Department of the Environment (1979-80).

43. Councillor James Murray

Age: 28
Role: Executive Member for Housing, London Borough of Islington

Councillor James Murray grew up in west London with parents who both worked for housing associations and holds a first-class degree in philosophy, politics, and economics from Oxford University. He has been member for housing at Islington Council since May 2010, having first been elected as a councillor in 2006.

Murray previously worked for Islington South & Finsbury MP Emily Thornberry, whose private members bill, the Housing Association Bill, he helped draft. In an earlier role in 2005, Murray co-authored a report for the Institute for Public Policy Research think tank called “Aspirations to ownership: Housing association tenants’ attitudes to tenure”.

44. Julie Fadden

Age: 50
Role: Chief Executive, South Liverpool Housing Group

Julie Fadden has said she “got into housing by accident”, originally wanting to be a sports journalist. She first worked as a clerical assistant at Liverpool City Council, then worked her way up securing a housing officer role. She has a diploma in public administration, CIH professional qualification (1988-91) and MA in management from Liverpool Business School (1995-98).

Before taking up her current position in March 2005, she worked at Harvest Housing Group in various roles between June 1997 and 2005.

She says: “I am not greatly influenced by those who are perceived to be big names in the sector, the people who really influence me on a daily basis are my tenants as they are the people I serve.

“I am also influenced by people who really care about housing and show dedication to help improve conditions for those around them, and examples in Liverpool are councillors Joe Anderson and Ann O’Byrne, who are passionate about making my city a better place to live in.”

“Tells it like it is”
Colin Wiles, housing consultant

45. Jake Berry

Age: 33
Role: MP for Rossendale & Darwen, Parliamentary Private Secretary to Grant Shapps

Jake Berry became MP for Rossendale & Darwen in 2010 and is Ministerial Aide and Parliamentary Private Secretary (PPS) to the housing secretary Grant Shapps.

Berry was educated at Liverpool College and attended the University of Sheffield to study law (1997-2000), before going to the College of Law, Chester (2000-2001).

He trained as a solicitor in the City of London after which he returned to the North West to work at two law firms (2004-2010), specialising in housing and development law.

He has worked for Arena Housing Group, Norfolk County Council and Progress Housing Group Limited and has acted for major financial institutions and refinancing social landlords.

46. David Ireland

Age: 44
Role: Chief Executive of the charity Empty Homes

Between 1996 and 2004, David Ireland worked in various roles at Hammersmith and Fulham Council including housing strategy and as private sector housing manager. In 2005, he became head of policy for the Empty Homes Agency, taking up the helm two years later. He wrote “How to Rescue a House” published by Penguin to encourage more people to renovate empty homes. He was also advisor to The BBC series of the same name in 2006 and the advisor to the Channel 4 series “The Great British Property Scandal” in 2011. He is currently working to revive the concept of homesteading to give people on low incomes the opportunity to own and renovate a home.

47. Martin Holland

Age: 58
Role: Chief Executive, Shropshire Housing Group

Martin Holland worked at Wolverhampton Council between 1971 and 1976 before becoming general manager at Parklands Housing. He then worked as housing manager at Orbit Housing (1980-90) before taking up his current role in 1993. Holland has chaired the National Housing Federation’s Midland regional committee in the past and currently sits on the Rural Housing Advisory Group and the PlaceShapers steering group. He is also chair of the housing and planning group which advises the Marches local enterprise partnership.

“Martin’s contribution to rural housing policy and his ability to forge effective partnerships with local authorities and others make him another great leader”
Hugo Stephens, partner, Cobbetts LLP

48. Andrew Cunningham

Age: 55
Role: Chief Executive, Grainger plc

Andrew Cunningham joined Grainger in 1996 as finance director and became chief executive in October 2009. Graduating with an MA from Christ’s College, Cambridge, Cunningham was a partner in a predecessor firm of PricewaterhouseCoopers before joining Grainger. He is a member of the British Property Federation policy committee and a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accounts in England and Wales. As Grainger celebrates its centenary this year, it will build on last year’s successes including the acquisition of full ownership of four estates in central London, worth £285million, from its joint venture partner, Genesis Housing Group.

49. Deborah Shackleton

Age: 59
Role: board member and chief executive, The Riverside Group

Oxford University-educated Deborah Shackleton graduated with a maths degree in 1974 before becoming a graduate trainee and research officer at the English Tourist Board (1974-1977). Between 1977 and 1980 she worked as development officer and area manager at Bradford & Northern housing association then moved from being director of development at Riverside Housing Association (1993-98) to its assistant chief executive (1998-2000), finally taking the lead as chief executive in 2000. She is a board member and chair of audit at Liverpool John Moores University, board member at both the Housing Finance Corporation and the National Museums Liverpool. She received a CBE in 2009 and is married with two sons.

50. Nick Raynsford

Age: 67
Role: MP for Greenwich and Woolwich

Nick Raynsford was the MP for Fulham (1986-1987) and a councillor for Hammersmith and Fulham council from 1971 to 1975. He joined government in 1997 with responsibility for housing, planning and construction. Between 2001 and 2005, he was minister for local and regional government in the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister.

He is President of the Labour Housing Group and of the National Home Improvement Council, and a director of the Town and Country Planning Association and Hometrack.

Before he was elected to Parliament, Raynsford was director of Shelter (1976-86) and ran a housing consultancy.

“Never stopped pushing for more affordable housing and promoting the work of housing associations”
David Montague, chief executive L&Q