Next Generation Leaders – Jody, Kerry, Lindsey & Maria

I started my career as an accountant on the NHS Graduate Training programme, placed in Swansea NHS Trust, where I gained CPFA (Chartered Public Finance Accountant). Since then, I have worked across a number of Public Sector organisations. Working as a project accountant for Remploy for an EU funded project, then moving to Head of Finance and Programme Management for Liverpool Vision, a Regeneration Company for Liverpool City Council. Later taking the role of Head of Finance for the People Department at Croydon Council I lead on Financial Management for the Social Care, Schools and Housing budgets.

I joined Raven Housing Trust nearly 5 years ago, where I currently work as Deputy Director of Finance leading on Business Partnering, Business Planning and Treasury functions for the Group.

For the last three years, being a relatively new mum, family has taken most of my time outside of work! However when I get the chance I love walking in the mountains, I love to travel and if I can combine travel and mountains and get to the ski slopes each year I’m truly in my happy place!

I started my career at West Kent Housing Association nearly 18 years ago as a Property Junior Secretary, during my time at West Kent I have stayed within the Property and Asset Team carrying out various roles including contract management, surveying and asset management, I’ve also been part of procurement projects both large and small. West Kent funded me through a building surveying degree on day release which I completed in 2012.

I am newly appointed in my current role which is a secondment for 18-24 months. We have recently undergone a restructure at West Kent and I will be looking to set up and establish the new asset and compliance teams, taking us through this period of change and all the challenges the sector faces in terms of Building Safety and Net Zero Carbon.

My main motivation is my family, I have two children aged 4 and 7, and we love to go on family adventures visiting new places.

I have only been at Gravesham since October 2020. Prior to this I spent two years working within a Development role, developing affordable housing, as an Area Manager for Rentplus. Before joining Rentplus I had spent 14 years working for Moat Homes Ltd, which is where I started my housing career. Throughout my time at Moat I had a range of roles, initially starting as a Support Officer, then Housing Officer, followed by a Retirement Housing Manager and finally as Head of Supported and Retirement Living.

In my current role I am responsible for all of Gravesham’s Housing Landlord Services which is to provide Landlord services to approximately 5700 tenants and 416 leasehold properties. I am responsible for the 37 members of staff within Housing Services, who are split into four teams, housing management, housing income, sheltered housing and housing IT systems. It is my responsibility to ensure that my team is delivering the best possible service to our tenants and leaseholders and are proactively addressing any issues that arise. My role is a strategic one and therefore forward thinking and planning is an essential part of my job role.

Outside of work I have two young children, both boys, aged 5 and 10, so most of my weekends are taking up attending football and rugby matches (normally in the rain). I am a bit of a car enthusiast and a massive fan of Formula 1 and Moto GP.

I have worked for Hackney Council for 27 years and started as an apprentice after leaving school. I have always worked in repairs in various different roles. As Repairs Customer Service Manager I have responsibility for Legal Disrepair, Complaints, Reactive Repairs, Support Services and Leak Hub.