The professional standards committee (PSC)

I have been a member of the Chartered Institute of Housing for over 30 years. Throughout my career I have valued my membership of the CIH. Starting out a as housing officer and studying for the professional qualification gave me an excellent grounding in all aspects of the profession and its rich history. Since that time, I have benefited from the knowledge and guidance the CIH has given to the sector. I have also valued the camaraderie and the sense of being part of the housing movement being a member of the CIH brings.

Now I have stepped back from senior operational roles and moved to being a member of Housing Association boards I am giving something back to the CIH by being chair of the professional standards committee. I am enthusiastic about developing the professional standards and assisting the CIH to drive up standards in the sector.  

I’m a Cambridgeshire girl born in the 1980’s. Having grown up with a father that works in the building industry, I’ve always been interested in the importance of place and how homes have the ability to build communities.

My housing career began 14 years ago working as a sheltered housing scheme manager and evolved further, managing extra care housing and neighbourhood services to now working within Abri workplace solutions team.

It was whilst studying my CIH Level 4 Certificate in Housing that I had the opportunity to join the West Midlands regional group. I began writing blogs and supporting the group with initiatives. I came to realise the importance of the CIH community and lifelong learning.

I’m the vice chair of the professional standards committee and never has there been a more important time to be involved in setting the future direction for the housing profession.

The professional standards can be used as a tool to improve professional practice in social housing, which can help improve the outcomes for tenants.

When not at work, you’ll find me tending to my garden, walking in the countryside, and visiting heritage railways.

I have been a member of the professional standards committee since November 2019.

I’ve worked in income collection for over 25 years, initially in the private sector before moving to A2Dominion (or A2 as it was then) in 2005. I applied my commercial approach to income collection which has been instrumental in helping to consistently improve the service, whilst offering essential support to those that need it.

As head of income, I manage A2Dominion’s specialist income collection and tenancy sustainment teams. I am the current chair of the G15 income group and a member of the National Housing Federation’s national welfare reform group. I am also treasurer and a board member of West Kensington & Gibbs Green Community Homes.

In my spare time I ‘relax’ by watching Fulham try and play football.

Lins has a 20-year background in HR, engagement and internal communications. In her current role as colleague experience lead at Letchworth-based housing association settle, Lins is responsible for settle’s delivery and commitment to learning and development, colleague engagement and embedding professionalism across the organisation. Lins is particularly interested in supporting the development of strong organisational cultures through providing a great place for colleagues to work and grow their career. In previous roles Lins has successfully business partnered and worked in a number of sectors including telecoms, retail and healthcare.

With a focus on professionalism, Lins is interested in how we engage and drive professionalism across the sector now, and in the longer term, in order for customers to live well in the place they call home.

Lindsay has been working in the housing sector since 2007, gaining experience across a number of different housing roles - legal services advisor, homelessness assessment officer, and in social housing supported living. She is passionate about professional development, and about the change that those who work in the housing sector have the power to bring about.

Five years ago, she decided to use her knowledge, skills, and experience in the sector to teach other housing professionals. Lindsay is currently the apprenticeship manager for housing at The Learning Curve  overseeing a group of coaches who teach housing apprenticeships and CIH qualifications.  Lindsay has a passion for supporting housing professionals to gain the knowledge, skills, and professional behaviours needed to make the housing sector shine, and her place on the professional standards committee gives her even more scope to do this.

Janine is an anti-social behaviour consultant, assisting housing, police and local authority in developing their anti-social behaviour services. Outside of this role she is a lay member for several judicial and regulatory bodies. She is a board member for CVCH and the chair of Women in Social Housing (Midlands)

Martyn has been involved in housing for over 35 years and been a member of the CIH since the early 1990’s. Holding various roles in local government and the registered provider sectors over his career, Martyn is neighbourhoods director at Trent and Dove. He is responsible for all operational housing services, supported housing, customer engagement and the customer contact centre.

Martyn also has a background in supported housing and safeguarding, and a trained mental health first aider as well as white ribbon ambassador working toward ending violence toward women by men.

Outside of work Martyn is a keen rugby fan supporting Northampton Saints and loves spending time with his wife Ros, two boys and two mad dogs, Fletcher and Freida.

Sandra is a housing professional with a passionate sense of purpose and a tremendous appetite for customer excellence and continuous improvement. She is also co-chair for Women in Social Housing (WISH) in the East Region, creating excellent networking opportunities for new and established professionals. As a fellow member of the Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) she is a trusted professional with extensive housing experience and a commitment to ethical standards.

Sandra is passionate about people being able to create a future that enables them to realise their purpose and aspirations.

Gail joined Angus Housing Association in 2019 and has worked in the social housing sector since graduating with a Postgraduate Diploma in Housing Studies from Stirling University in 1996.

Gail’s undergraduate degree is in Applied Consumer Studies from Queen Margaret College. She is a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Housing and sits on their professional standards committee.

In 2021 Gail completed a Diploma in Corporate Governance with the Corporate Governance Institute and in 2022 was awarded a CMI Level 7 Diploma (Masters Equivalent) in strategic management and leadership and she is a fellow of the Chartered Managers Institute.

Gail is a board trustee of Grampian Women’s Aid and holds the position of vice chair.

Linda has worked in housing for over 30 years.  Starting out as an accountant she joined her first association as a financial accountant and then moved, as a director into business development. 

She worked as director of housing within the Welsh Government for a few years before re-joining the regulated sector twelve years ago as chief executive of a stock transfer organisation, taking it through the transfer process and delivering the Welsh Housing Quality Standard on time and within budget. 

The organisation, Tai Tarian was the first to pledge in October 2019 that it would reach carbon neutrality by 2030.  In 2021 Linda was voted most influential businesswoman in Wales.