SPECIAL EDITION: HOUSING’S NEXT GENERATION
From ‘Am I good enough’ to Next Generation winner Our 2024 champion tells her story
FROM THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE...
CELEBRATING THE NEXT GENERATION OF HOUSING LEADERS
Don’t hide your light under a bushel. We want to find – and celebrate – the next generation of leaders in housing.
What do we think it takes to be a winner? HQN is looking for people that make a big impact on things that matter. Beyond that, we’re keeping an open mind.
Are you helping to build new homes? Are you the safety guru? Do you manage estates to an exceptional standard? You could be running the numbers or writing the strategies and reports. Perhaps you’re forging great relations with residents. Maybe you’re saving us all by getting to net zero.
And looking at all the press criticism, I hope we can find someone that’s battling managing agents to bring service charges down. No doubt some of you will be doing vital jobs that I just don’t understand. Anyway, we want to hear from you.
Past finalists have come from a variety of backgrounds and from all over the UK. They certainly reflect the diversity of talent we have on tap in housing.
What does it take to enter? We’ll be looking for an application where you set out your stall. After that there will be two rounds of activity to shortlist to the semi-finalists and the finalists. These will be practical exercises with the emphasis on how you collaborate in teams with others.
The final takes place at our annual conference in central London. You’ll get great exposure to senior leaders in housing throughout the process. That will help your career.
“What do we think it takes to be a winner? HQN is looking for people that make a big impact on things that matter”
Our judges include past winners and senior figures in the sector.
At every stage you’ll hear constructive feedback. I can remember what the wrong sort of feedback is and you won’t get any of that.
So, I hope you apply and I look forward to meeting you.
Alistair McIntosh, Chief Executive, HQN
Enter today!
To nominate yourself or a colleague click here. The closing date for nominations is Wednesday 9 April.
FROM ‘AM I GOOD ENOUGH?’ TO NEXT GENERATION WINNER
Anne Bentley, Neighbourhood Manager at Worthing Homes and the 2024 Housing’s Next Generation winner, describes how imposter syndrome led to her entering the competition. And she hasn’t looked back since.
Despite growing up in social housing, I knew little about the sector, the breadth of work it involved, or the career opportunities within it. When I discovered my local housing association and saw the impact it had in the community, I knew it was where I wanted to be.
So, after a successful interview in 2020, during the first weeks of lockdown, I started my housing journey as an income recovery officer. I still remember the surreal experience of collecting my IT equipment from a deserted office and heading straight back home to begin my new job – no pressure!
It didn’t take long to realise this was the place for me. What struck me most was the commitment of my colleagues, all dedicated to providing the best possible service to our customers. Since then, the impact we can make in this sector continues to be a real passion of mine.
Fast forward to 2023, I began my first management role as neighbourhood manager at Worthing Homes. I was thrilled, but once the excitement wore off, I was faced with a nagging feeling: imposter syndrome.
The first six months were tough, filled with self-doubt and the constant question: “Am I good enough?” Determined to succeed, I grabbed every opportunity for development, which led me to Housing’s Next Generation.
After being nominated for the competition by my manager, I felt a mix of nerves and excitement. Researching past competitions, I was really interested in the variety of
“The first six months were tough, filled with self-doubt and the constant question: “Am I good enough?” Determined to succeed, I grabbed every opportunity for development, which led me to Housing’s Next Generation”
different challenges, but I was horrified to see the finalists speaking on stage at HQN’s annual conference – could that really be me?!
The initial rounds involved writing short articles and I quickly learned that I quite enjoy putting pen to paper on topics that I find interesting. Before I knew it, I was selected as a semi-finalist and invited to London for a series of challenges. I was shocked – after months of self-doubt in a new role, I hadn’t expected to make it this far.
My nerves faded as I met the other semi-finalists. Despite the competitive element, I found myself in a room full of collaborative, positive people who were all eager to learn from each other. A standout moment was a group exercise where we had to plan the renovation and opening of a hostel with limited resources and time. With flashcards sprawled over the floor, countdown reminders being shouted out across the room, and frantic debates about competing priorities, it was pure, productive chaos in the best way.
When I found out I had made it to the finals, I was absolutely floored. The excitement quickly turned to nerves when I learned the final tasks included recording a video and participating in a live debate. Speaking on camera was great fun but much harder than it looked – I lost count of how many takes it took! But the scariest challenge was the debate. Sitting next to the stage, I remember thinking, “There’s no way I can do this – I can’t speak in front of this many people!”. But I did, and the pride I felt afterwards was immense. I can confidently say that I wouldn’t have felt brave enough to get up and do that without the development the competition gave me.
Since winning the competition, my confidence has grown, and the imposter syndrome surfaces less and less. Best of all, I’ve gained an incredible network of like-minded people to connect and collaborate with who I met through the competition.
I’d urge anyone looking to develop or progress their career to get involved in the competition. It really opens your eyes to all aspects of social housing and provides such a wealth of opportunities.
HOUSING’S NEXT GENERATION –YOUR CHANCE TO SHINE IN 2025
HQN’s Housing’s Next Generation competition is back for 2025!
The annual competition designed to showcase the best new talent in the social housing sector is now in its fourth year and we’re looking for a bumper crop of entries from housing associations, local authorities, ALMOS and other relevant organisations.
Housing’s Next Generation is about giving new housing professionals a voice – to share their thoughts and ideas and help shape the future direction of the sector. We’re specifically looking for people from a diverse range of roles and backgrounds who can bring fresh thinking to the challenges faced by housing organisations, our communities and the residents we serve.
Last year, Anne Bentley, a neighbourhood manager for Worthing Homes, was crowned the winner at HQN’s annual conference in London after impressing delegates and judges in a closely fought final, which involved the six finalists debating key housing issues in front of 120 senior housing professionals.
It was the culmination of a competition that saw shortlisted candidates battle through a series of rounds, including a semi-final where they had to demonstrate their leadership and teamwork abilities in a task built around the conversion of a former hotel into a homeless shelter.
Commenting on why young housing professionals should enter the competition, Lizzie Skillen, a quality assurance and standards officer at Brent Council and former finalist, said: “The social housing sector can sometimes feel daunting as a young person as, despite the years of experience that everyone else seems to have, it’s not a career path that’s well-known or celebrated.
“Coming together with others reminded me how
important the next generation is to the sector, and the challenges it faces in the years ahead. I’m extremely proud to have reached the final of the competition alongside five inspiring young professionals.”
2024 winner Anne Bentley receiving her award from Alistair McIntosh, HQN
WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR
We’re looking for ambitious and talented housing professionals who:
• Show leadership potential whether through individual or team tasks
• Are passionate about delivering excellent services to residents
• Have a commitment to diversity, equality and inclusion
• Want to make improvements to the social housing sector
• Are ready to take the next step in their careers.
Why you should take part in Housing’s Next Generation:
• Personal development – to help develop analytical, writing and presentation skills
• Confidence – to gain the confidence to be a leader and express ideas
• Opportunity – previous winners and finalists have gone on to become directors and gain wider recognition across the sector
• Networking – to be part of a growing network of young housing professionals through our Next Generation Hub
• Exposure – to experience different aspects of housing, helping prepare for future challenges.
So, don’t be shy – it’s your time to shine!
How to enter
To nominate yourself or a colleague click here and fill out the entry form. The closing date for nominations is Wednesday 9 April and the successful candidates will be announced later in the month.
Meet the judges
Competition timeline
Closing date for nominations
The top 20 are announced
Completion of the top 20 challenge
Judges select and announce the final 10
Live semi-final and final five announced
Final five take part in the first round of the grand final at day one of the HQN annual conference
The finalists take part in a final live session at day two of HQN’s annual conference. Audience vote for the winner
We’re delighted to announce this year’s esteemed line-up of judges, featuring HQN’s chief executive, last year’s winner, and a host of leading lights from the social housing sector. They are:
Alistair McIntosh, Chief Executive, HQN
Anne Bentley (2024 winner), Neighbourhood Manager, Worthing Homes
Kate Ratcliffe (2023 winner), Social Value Analyst, Vivid Homes
Jahedur Rahman, Director of Housing, London Borough of Haringey
Simal Govindia, Solicitor, Birketts LLP
Shauna Hutchinson, People Advisor, Sovereign Network Group
Gordon Perry, former CEO Accent Group and governing board member at the Chartered Institute of Housing
Tunde Hinton, Chief Executive, Connex Leadership Networks
‘AIM HIGH AND DON’T BE TOO HARD ON YOURSELF’
Tom Leon-Grimes, winner of the 2022 Housing’s Next Generation competition, offers some advice for young housing professionals looking to advance their career.
I started my career in the social housing sector as an apprentice at the age of 16. I worked in frontline housing and lettings before moving into data analysis, project management and strategic leadership roles. Over 12 years, I was fortunate to work on initiatives that directly impacted people’s lives, ensuring access to safe and affordable housing. This experience was incredibly fulfilling and reinforced my passion for the sector.
As my career progressed, I found that opportunities for operational leadership roles were limited. I knew I wanted to develop my skills, take on more responsibility, and contribute to the sector in a more strategic capacity, but finding that next step wasn’t easy.
Through the mist of the continued job search, an unexpected opportunity arose. I was headhunted by a private property management company for the role of associate director of operations.
Initially, I was hesitant about moving to the private sector because I deeply valued social impact and customerfocused work, and I was worried that I’d lose the ability to bring this focus to the fore in a private company. However, the role was precisely what I’d been looking for, so I took the opportunity to interview for the role and find out more about the company’s culture and ambitions.
I was thrilled to have been offered the role, and I’m pleased to say that my fears were unfounded. We have the
“Don’t be discouraged by the traditional expectations of experience for a role. Instead, focus on showcasing your unique experiences, passion, drive and the perspectives you can bring”
same passion for customer-focused services as the social housing sector, which I’m very pleased to see and uphold.
This opportunity has not only allowed me to grow professionally but also reinforced my belief in the importance of providing opportunities to individuals based on their potential and drive. Growth and innovation often come from embracing new perspectives and talent, regardless of age.
To other young housing professionals seeking career progression, I’d advise you to stay curious and open to new opportunities. Don’t be discouraged by the traditional expectations of experience for a role. Instead, focus on showcasing your unique experiences, passion, drive and the perspectives you can bring. An example of this could be applying for HQN’s Housing’s Next Generation competition. I took part in this in 2022 and it was a fantastic experience –and I’m not just saying that because I won it!
It’s important for you to have a clear vision of where you see yourself in the future. You don’t necessarily need to know as far as three to five years ahead (despite this being a common interview question), but having your mind set on what you enjoy doing, what you want to do more of and, importantly, why you want to do it will help you navigate your way forward. I also benefited from having a fantastic mentor who I looked up to and was able to speak with freely and explore my development.
Be proactive in your own professional development and don’t hesitate to apply for jobs and put yourself out there. Taking those steps, even if they seem small (or big) at the time, can guide you toward your ultimate aspirations. I once applied for a job, that I knew I really wanted, five times before they offered me the role! I could have given up, but I knew it was where I needed to take my career.
Ultimately, enjoy your journey. Aim high and don’t be too hard on yourself if it takes a little while to get there. It will happen – if you really want it to.
If you ever want to chat anything through with me, I’d be more than happy to! Just drop me a message on LinkedIn.
DON’T TAKE OUR WORD FOR IT…
Here’s what some of our former finalists have to say about their Next Generation experience and why they would encourage other housing professionals to enter.
“Taking part in the Next Generation competition was a game changer for me. It gave me the chance to connect with so many people across the sector – from those just starting out to experienced professionals in a range of roles. Having those conversations helped me understand the different career paths in housing and gave me the confidence to push myself further. The competition itself was challenging but rewarding. Presenting ideas, tackling real housing issues and working under pressure all helped me build skills that I’ve carried forward in my career. More than anything, the experience made me feel part of a wider community of people who are passionate about making a difference in housing. If you’re thinking about taking part, do it – you’ll gain skills, connections and confidence that will stay with you long after the competition ends”
Kai Faulkner, Assessment Officer and Designated Safeguarding Lead, Orbit Group
“The competition was great fun but a tough process as well. I got a lot from the whole experience”
Mica Joseph, Head of Estate Management, Notting Hill Genesis Enter today!
To nominate yourself or a colleague click here. The closing date for nominations is Wednesday 9 April.
“Participating in the HQN Next Generation competition was an incredible challenge that significantly enhanced my housing knowledge, especially as someone new to the sector. It also provided me with valuable insights into various approaches to tackling housing challenges. I highly recommend applying. You’ll have the opportunity to meet amazing people from diverse organisations and roles, and you’ll be continuously challenged and inspired”
Lili Vetter, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Specialist, Wythenshawe Community Housing Group
“Participating in HQN’s Next Generation competition was incredibly engaging, collaborative and educational. Recognition of the role I’ve played as a young person within the industry was rewarding, but even more impactful was the opportunity to be in a room full of peers who are equally passionate about driving positive change. Completing a range of tasks, from written exercises to videos, brought new and exciting challenges, and encouraged my creative thinking. Although outside of my comfort zone, the support, enthusiasm and continued effort of my fellow Next Generation finalists were an inspiration to me and will continue to be. My experience was an overwhelmingly positive one, and I’d encourage any young person, working within the housing sector to apply and take on the challenge!”
Sarah Cross, Landscape and Sustainability Manager, Lancaster West Neighbourhood Team, Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea
To nominate yourself or a colleague click here and fill out the entry form. The closing date for nominations is Wednesday 9 April and the successful candidates will be announced later in the month.
Enter today!
To find out more about the competition, visit hqnetwork.co.uk/housings-next-generation
Last year’s semi-finalists (back row, left to right) Sarah Cross, Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea; Mica Joseph, Notting Hill Genesis; Kai Faulkner, Orbit Group; Lili Vetter, Wythenshawe Community Homes; Daisy Newman, Alliance Homes; Jenna Riley, Sheffield City Council; Joe Ross, Stonewater; Chloe Etheridge, Gloucester City Homes. Front row, left to right: Carla Pamment, Moat Homes; Lizzie Skillen, London Borough of Tower Hamlets; Anne Bentley, Worthing Homes.