MEET THE MANAGERS MARIE RENE I am the Estate Manager at Avondale Square Estate, having joined the City of London earlier this year. I enjoy the variety here, it’s a busy office and no two days are the same. I love the interaction with residents and hopefully I’m having a positive impact on the estate. Probably the biggest challenge is change management. Some staff and residents have firm views of how things have always been done, so it can be challenging for us to work through the change process in a collaborative manner.
MICHELLE WARMAN I am the Estate Manager for Golden Lane Estate and have worked for the City of London for over six years. In that time I have managed three other estates. I was granted Freedom of the City in June 2018, an achievement I am proud of because I was nominated by my team and supported by Members. I enjoy the variety my job brings, each day there are new priorities and those can change by the minute. One of the biggest challenges is unauthorised filming and photography on the estate, as the estate is Grade II listed and this appears to be an attraction, it is difficult to manage access for such use.
JACQUELINE WHITMORE
I manage a team of three staff, who run the sheltered housing estates in the City’s housing provision and the City of London & Gresham Almshouses. There is an endless variety of issues to deal with in working with our older community. There are never two days the same, some with rewards and some with challenges mainly in relation to getting the appropriate support for the residents who are failing in physical and mental health. As a team we have our share of fun with residents organising events, especially something special at Christmas when some are alone. I have been known to cook Christmas dinner for them, as well as fish pie on Good Friday, they all enjoy a home cooked meal!
LAURENCE JONES
I am the Estate Manager for the Middlesex Street Estate, Spitalfields, Dron House and Windsor House. I have over 13 years housing management experience with the City of London. Estate management is extremely varied, and no two days are the same. The diverse nature of the work allows me to be creative in finding solutions to issues which are thrown up. As society and the community have changed, so too has housing management. It has now become a challenging but rewarding environment in which to work. I love that the focus of my work has moved away from just being the guardian of property and that it now takes in the expectations and the needs of the community.
PHILIP FORD
I am the Estate Manager for our Southbank and Sydenham Hill Estates. One of the (many) things I love about my job is signing up new tenants to their first settled home. Having worked across different tenures in the past, as well as homelessness and temporary accommodation, being able to be part of that really important step in someone’s life can really make your week! One of the biggest challenges for the estates I manage is probably that they are geographically spread, as opposed to a large traditional estate. This can prove challenging, ensuring that time between the team and myself is split fairly so our residents receive the best service possible.
ABIOLA ASHIRU
I’ve been with the City of London for nearly a year. Initially I was based at the Avondale Square Estate in Southwark, but since March I’ve been managing York Way and Holloway Estates. Without a doubt the element of my job I enjoy the most is seeing the smile on tenants’ faces when I hand keys over to their new home. I know they will have been on the waiting list for several years and getting the key to their new home signifies a new start for many people. The biggest challenge I face is keeping all residents happy, I do try my best. I’m fortunate I have a great team working with me to support our tenants and keep our estates looking nice.
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