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 in 2009 working as a sheltered housing scheme manager and evolved further, managing extra care housing and neighbourhood services to now working within Abri change and service improvement 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.

After graduating in Geography from Lancaster University, Mike started his working career in the hotel industry gaining a strong understanding of customer satisfaction. He went on to join the Civil Service working for the Home Office before starting his social housing career with South London Family Housing Association.

Mike quickly achieved his professional qualification at the University of Westminster, gaining corporate membership of the Chartered Institute of Housing. From here, at both local authorities and housing associations he gained experience in housing development, housing management and statutory housing services. 

As a Board member for two housing associations and as Director of Housing for a local authority, Mike has gained a deep understanding of the corporate responsibilities of running both large and small housing organisations. 

Mike is an active volunteer of the CIH, he has chaired the South West regional board and developed bespoke regional training courses for aspiring housing professionals. Mike is also a registered CIH Mentor and a Fellow of the Institute. A strong advocate for the professional qualification and standards. In particular, Mike enjoys the new challenges resulting from the regulatory framework, changes to supported housing and community regeneration schemes.

With over 40 years of housing experience Mike is now a senior advisor with Newton Consulting. In his spare time Mike still enjoys travelling, playing club cricket and playing the guitar.

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.

Connor has worked in the Welsh housing sector for nearly a decade, beginning his career as an apprentice and gaining experience across a wide range of roles including policy, research, governance, strategy, performance, and risk. At Hedyn, Connor prides himself on doing what’s right for residents, using intelligence to inform decision-making, and understanding risk in order to take opportunities.

Outside of work, Connor is a keen football fan, fitness fanatic, and a self-confessed nerd for all things Marvel and Star Wars. He enjoys travelling with his wife Rhian and hiking the Welsh countryside with their toy Yorkshire Terrier, Teddy."

I’m currently the Director of Customer Services at Leeds Federated Housing Association, where I lead on a wide range of customer facing services, from neighbourhood management, customer contact, engagement, support, and service improvements.

I oversee the responsibility for Transparency accountability and influence standard, Neighbourhood and community standard and the Tenancy Standard.

I am passionate about delivering high-quality, person-centred services and making sure the voice of the customer shapes everything we do here at Leeds Fed.

I’ve worked in housing for over 23 years, progressing in my career from frontline to my current role following completion of my Post graduate Certificate in Housing through CIH.

I’ve seen first hand just how life changing a safe, secure home can be. It’s not just about providing housing,  it’s about helping people make a home, in somewhere they feel safe, supported, and able to thrive. That’s at the heart of everything I do.

I’ve also been particularly focused on the links between health and housing, working to try build more joined up approaches that better support residents, especially those with more complex needs.
Another area I’m really passionate about is promoting housing as a career of choice. There are so many fantastic opportunities in our sector, from frontline roles to finance, legal, development, and repairs, so I’ve been working with pupils in schools to help raise awareness and open more doors for the next generation.

I’m absolutely delighted to be joining the CIH Professional Standards Committee. I’m really looking forward to working with others who share my commitment to professionalism, integrity, and making a real difference through housing.

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 a freelance social housing and qualifications specialist. 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.

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.

Vikki is Professor of Social Policy at the University of Stirling, with over 15 years of experience working in applied housing research. She brings expertise in reflective practice, co-production, and values-led professional development. Vikki leads major UK-wide projects that focus on embedding reflective approaches in housing organisations to tackle systemic challenges, including inequality and stigma. Her work bridges academic insight and frontline practice, championing inclusive and empathetic housing services that 'future-proof' for the ageing demographic.

She has worked in partnership with housing providers, national bodies and community researchers to influence practice and policy. As co-founder of Socialudo, she uses innovative methods, like serious games, to make research and learning more engaging and accessible. Vikki is committed to supporting professional standards that are not only technically robust but grounded in reflection, empathy, and real-world impact.