…is my two front teef. A CEO’s view on how finance teams can deliver success.

Continue reading All I want for Christmas

Steve Walker needs little introduction to many in the Social Housing Sector. A lifelong Millwall fan (sorry Steve we couldn’t find a picture of Kenny Jackett), Steve led Tower Homes (part of L&Q) to Sunday Times Best Small Company to work for in 2006 and was nominated as most inspiring leader in the same, only the second rsl to receive 3 stars from the Audit Commission. Steve has recently gone on to found his own consulting business: Steve Walker Consulting. Steve’s list goes on, so there must be something to it! Read on, and beware, Steve’s approach is infectious but he tells it how it is!

Continue reading Leadership – Trust Me

by Pam Schwarz

Barack Obama developed a strong commitment to the South Side of Chicago in his early years. You can see from his autobiography that he learned to stand beside the people in that area. Through his community organizing he both led and followed. He sought to strengthen the skills of individual community leaders and to help people to grapple with issues they themselves identified. So it is with The Mosscare Housing Group. We have grown from community action by our founding community, Moss Side. Poor housing and a damage to the social fabric of community during the clearance process were the issues our founders identified. Mosscare Housing and Mossbank Homes are the organizations which grapple with today’s issues. We are a blend of social business and community organization.

Continue reading Inspiration for leadership in Moss side Barack Obama, Jim Collins & Will Brown – Our Three Americans

by Piers Williamson

Personal highlights of the NHF Annual Conference

“Is it Summer or Winter in your organisation?”

The above is an unashamed lift from Mick Kent’s presentation on leadership in Birmingham last week. Mick has a first rate reputation as a presenter and, with some envy, I came out thinking that the substance (as well as the pictures) was dead good. At the heart of his talk was a set of six leadership values he is instilling in his management team. One of these is “I choose to display a positive attitude” (and the acid test is the ‘Summer’ or ‘Winter’ feel). For those of you unfamiliar with Mick and Bromford Housing Group, the phrases ‘can-do mentality’ and ‘FT Top 100 Places to work’ are useful pointers. I have only come across one other leader in the social housing market that I rate as highly as Mick. I’ll leave you to figure out who that might be!

Continue reading Is it Summer or Winter in your Organisation?