Geraldine Howley OBE: Reflections of a CIH chair

With a few months left as chair of the CIH governing board, Geraldine Howley OBE talks to Unlocked about her time at CIH, her proudest moments, and what the future might hold.

What are your proudest achievements as chair?

The main one would be working with the team to manage CIH though the COVID pandemic and overseeing its return to financial and organisational health.

We have turned the balance sheet from a deficit to a strong positive, posting surpluses for the last four years. We are investing in the organisation, its members and its people. And we’re gearing up to support the sector as the professionalism agenda gathers speed, especially in England with the introduction of mandatory qualifications. 

How has the sector changed during your time as chair? 

The housing sector is always changing, but the work our members do has become increasingly complex as the needs of tenants and residents have become more varied – and, in many cases, more acute in an environment where others have retreated due to their own financial and organisational pressures. 

At the same time, many landlords' finances are more pressured than they have been for many years, and the sector is more exposed to the wider economy. It’s a challenging time, but what has not changed is the determination of housing professionals to support tenants and residents and to make a difference. 

How has CIH changed? 

In almost every way! We are financially stronger, we are growing, we have expanded and improved our member offer, and we have a stronger voice in the political and policy arena. 

We have focussed hard on professionalism, introducing our professional standards framework and helping to drive the professionalism agenda across the UK. We have renewed and improved our buildings and offices, our IT and systems, said goodbye to valued friends and colleagues, and welcomed many new faces.

There is always more to do, but we have come a long way.

Geraldine has been closely involved in many CIH events during her time as chair

What do you see as the main challenges facing the sector currently?

There’s plenty to choose from, as always. But I would say gearing up in response to the professionalism agenda across the UK – which is as much an opportunity as a threat – and responding to the challenges around the condition of some of our existing homes and the impact on the sector and the profession’s public reputation.

We are financially stronger, we are growing, we have expanded and improved our member offer, and we have a stronger voice in the political and policy arena

There is much more good than bad in the sector, and I know housing professionals and their organisations are working hard to put things right where needed. That’s why we worked with our colleagues at the National Housing Federation on the Better Social Housing Review, so that we could create a framework to support the sector in this area.

How will you continue to be involved with both the sector and CIH after your time as chair ends?

Although my time as CIH chair is coming to an end, I intend to remain heavily involved in the sector and supporting CIH.

I will shortly be taking up the role as the new chair of Together Housing Group, which I’m looking forward to. I’m also on the board of MORhomes and delighted to be playing a role in helping the sector secure the funding it needs to continue its work.

I’m going to continue my involvement in the GEMS (Graduate Employment and Mentoring Scheme), which I helped set up. I’m passionate about housing and supporting young people into the sector and profession, and GEMS is a great way to do that.

And, of course, I will remain an active and committed CIH member.

Could you explain a bit more about GEMS and what it aims to achieve?

GEMS is the Graduate Employment and Mentoring Scheme that supports young people in entering the housing profession through training, qualifications, and becoming a CIH member.

As well as its ties with CIH, GEMS also has links with the International Housing Partnership and UK government departments. The programme offers a wide range of jobs and intensive learning experiences in the housing sector across the country and internationally.

All GEMS students are CIH members and students, too.

After serving as chair of the CIH governing board for six years, how does it feel to be coming to the end of your tenure?

As I come to the end of my time as chair, I am going to really miss my board colleagues and the executive team. 

There is a great spirit of collaboration between the board and executive, which has resulted in some amazing achievements. At the same time, it has helped us overcome some of the challenges we have faced during my time as chair. 

I am very proud to have been part of what CIH has achieved during my tenure, which couldn’t have happened without the hard work and efforts of the executive team, CIH colleagues, the trustees, presidents, representatives from the devolved nations and regional boards, and all our CIH members.

I am very proud to have been part of what CIH has achieved during my tenure, which couldn’t have happened without the work of the team and our members

I know my successor, along with Gavin and the executive team and all CIH colleagues, will ensure CIH continues to be a successful, member-driven organisation responsive to the profession. 

I am proud to have been a member (now fellow) of CIH for over 45 years. I am extremely grateful for all the support I have had from the institute over the years, and whilst I will be stepping down as chair, going forward, I will continue to give my support to this wonderful organisation. 

If you had to sum up your time as chair of the governing board in three words, what would they be? 

Proud. Inspired. Appreciative. 

Or in the words of Martin Luther King: “Keep moving forward.” 

• There’s still time to apply to become the next chair of the CIH governing board – find out more