It’s the start of the annual report season. We’ll shortly be telling each other how good we are, yet we’ve struggled for more than a decade to increase public awareness and support for the work housing associations do. We’re seen as remote, faceless, ineffective… some mistake, surely?

So when the production company for BBC1’s Neighbourhood Watched rang round in early 2008, collective nervousness rippled through chief executives’ inboxes. I confess I’m not a fan of reality TV, but beyond the risks I saw some opportunities.

We’d had some past contact with the producers at Raw Television, so they weren’t complete strangers.

As one of the Sunday Times 100 Best Companies to Work For and with one of the country’s best tenant satisfaction records, meant I was confident that our staff and tenants would tell some good tales.

This wasn’t a corporate video, editorial control was not on offer. In this genre, the courtship might be seductive, but lots of sensational rubbish gets made and the fallout can leave reputations bruised.

I was quickly satisfied about two risks. Whatever was shown, we would not struggle to let any homes and our financial standing should not be threatened.

And I was confident of supporting staff through filming and eventual transmission. But there was a nagging concern that we might look good at the expense of our customers.

I said yes, let’s do it. And like you, I’m seeing the series for the first time. Early reviews are good but it’s too early to measure tenant reaction.

Each episode has been another boost for us, confirming the prejudices of some, perhaps, but challenging those of others. My greatest hope is that it improves our sector’s standing.

Ian Munro is group chief executive of New Charter Housing Trust Group

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