It has been more than 35 years since I started my first job in housing, working on a secondment as part of my Postgraduate housing studies at Sheffield.
In my housing career I have always had roles in development, seeking to explore new opportunities to develop more affordable housing for rent and for sale in both rural and urban communities. Previous board roles have included being on the Leeds NW ALMO board and a brief spell to support a community led housing association in west Leeds.
Currently I am working for a Housing Consultancy, Saffer Cooper, where I support the management of the Almshouse Consortium providing assistance to Almshouses across the county looking to develop new Almshouses or remodel their existing homes and needing to access grant from Homes England. Similarly, I also help new Providers to develop their bids for grant and comply with the Homes England funding requirements.
It was in my former role, at Accent Group, as the Development Programme Manager, managing a consortium of Housing Associations when I first got involved with Chartford Housing. We worked together on securing the first grants from Homes England. I was keen to keep the connections and this board role gives me the perfect opportunity to do so.
In other voluntary work I am a guest lecturer at Leeds Beckett University and in 2020 was recruited to the position of External Practice Examiner. I am on the Ilkley Flower Club committee with flower arranging being one of my hobbies along with gardening and cycling on the family tandem.
Sue is a member of the Chartford Housing Limited Board and also sits on the Group Asset Management Development Committee (GAMDC).