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My time heading PlaceShapers is up, but I’m proud of what we achieved by sticking up for our values
I was pretty daunted when I took over as chair of PlaceShapers, but I have tried to stick to some core principles throughout, writes Sinéad Butters as she reflects on five years at the helm of housing’s ‘Wizard of Oz’ network after stepping back from the hot seat
When I took over as chair of PlaceShapers, the rent cuts had just been announced and we were all trying to reshape our businesses following this unprecedented financial shock.
I had only joined the board two years earlier, when Tony Stacey was chair. I had the unenviable task of following him – John Giesen had been appointed chair but stood down soon after when he retired – chairing and running the ‘Wizard of Oz’ of all networks.
I was pretty daunted by the prospect. A particular worry was the privilege of acting as a voice for 120 members drawn from all across the country. How could I do this and get it right? What if I get it wrong? Will I be a disaster and will PlaceShapers fold because of me?
Tony was a hard act to follow, and I had to step up pretty quickly when, after two weeks into the role, I had to chair our national conference.
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PlaceShapers was established in 2008 and had been set up as an alternative voice to the sector’s larger players. A movement, if you like, for those that identify with being community-based landlords. Our principles talk about putting tenants at our hearts, working with local authority partners, offering diverse services, and being values-led.
Now no longer about size and about local impact deep in communities, we have matured and grown.
For all the time I have been chair, I have tried to stick to these values, both within Aspire Housing and when representing our members.
I have enjoyed playing my part on commissions such as the Future Shape of the Sector and more recently the Affordable Housing Commission. The former reinforcing that the diverse shape of the sector is its strength and our role, investing ‘patient capital’ in communities with little hope of payback, makes us critically important in helping our communities prosper.
Throughout these five years, with our members, we have worked tirelessly in getting our message across through our ‘we’ straplines: We Work, We Build, We Care, and We Share. I can honestly say I loved them all, but the one that made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up was narrated by Hussain Manawer, our amazing street poet, describing how our members care.
I have worked with a brilliant board as well as Lucy Ferman and Rachael Orr, two deeply passionate people who have created impact against the odds with about £2.50 to spend!
So, on looking back and seeing where we have been, we now must look forward. It is time for a new chair at PlaceShapers, a new leader who can bridge us into the next world. I know that leader will be outstanding. And in the context of the past, there is something to learn for the future.
Our diversity is our strength. We are on the same team, working with our tenants, local authority partners and stakeholders, holding the future prosperity of our neighbourhoods in our hands.
“We are stronger together... And it is together that we will work to help our country get back on its feet again”
It is not about size or geography. It is not about egos or profile. It is about honesty, humility, openness and impact.
Courageous actions thoughtfully worked through with communities to help people thrive. Whether that is regeneration schemes, supported housing, homelessness, new build or stock investment. Whether that is training and employment, well-being services and repairs – we invest. We invest in our customers, our colleagues, our neighbourhoods and in the future of the place we call home.
So how do we do this? Not by highlighting our differences, but by reinforcing our similarities. We are stronger together and together we make a whole. And it is together that we will work to help our country get back on its feet again.
We will maximise our economic impact through direct employment and our supply chains, build tens of thousands more homes, invest in our neighbourhoods and support people to live healthy, fulfilling lives.
We do this because we care – and we will achieve this together.
Sinéad Butters, chief executive, Aspire Housing
