Building the Future of Housing Leadership: Reflections from the Front Line

Since joining Boyden in September 2024 to establish our Housing Practice, I’ve been meeting with leaders across the sector to understand what’s needed in housing leadership today – and how interim management, executive search and board recruitment can help organisations respond to growing challenges with agility.

These past few months have confirmed what many of us already know: the housing sector is rich in purpose, but under increasing financial, operational and regulatory pressure. Leadership matters now more than ever.

Rebuilding Ambition: CIH Brighton

CIH Brighton was a brilliant opportunity to connect with clients, candidates and sector peers. A central theme was the government’s ambition to deliver 1.5 million new homes – a bold pledge that’s generated hope, but also some healthy scepticism. Can the sector really achieve this, given constraints around planning, funding and skills?

Leadership will be crucial. The housing sector needs people who can lead change, challenge norms and deliver at pace. The cultural fit of those joining us from other sectors is key to ensuring they can help us and want to stay in Housing for the long term. Interim executives can offer exactly that – providing experienced leadership to steer organisations through transformation, restructure or uncertainty.

Sessions on tenant voice and customer engagement were particularly powerful. As leaders, we must listen more and act faster. Trust has been tested – rebuilding it starts with accountability and responsiveness.

Allyship and Access: WISH Networking

At the WISH networking event, conversations focused on the continued push for equity in leadership. Gender representation has improved, but many other aspects of diversity still lag behind. And while policy and intent are important, progress often depends on practical, visible action.

Many women in my network – particularly those balancing family responsibilities – find that interim leadership roles offer greater flexibility and access to senior opportunities. Housing providers who embrace flexible talent models will have better access to diverse, high-calibre leaders.

As a search partner recruiter and ally, I’m committed to making these routes more visible, accessible and supported – not just for women, but for all underrepresented groups.

From Talk to Tangible Change: HDN Board Conference

At the HDN Board Conference, I was proud to deliver a keynote on the current state of diversity at senior leadership levels in Housing in housing leadership recruitment. The data is clear: compared to other sectors industries, we still have a way to go.

Too often, we are hiring for today’s comfort zones rather than tomorrow’s challenges. That creates stagnation – especially at senior and board level.

What we need are goals, frameworks and consistent challenge. We need to learn from organisations who’ve made progress on inclusion. And we need to turn dialogue into sustained action.

Interim leadership can be part of the solution – offering organisations the chance to test new models, bring in new perspectives and accelerate change.

What Comes Next?

At Boyden, I help housing organisations find and engage the leadership they need – whether that’s through interim executives, permanent appointments or non-executive board recruitment. My approach is shaped by lived experience and the realities of the sector, backed by national networks and built on a genuine belief in the power of people to drive transformation.

Housing will always be a sector built on purpose. But meeting that purpose requires bold leadership, open minds and flexible models.

If you’re thinking about the leadership your organisation needs – today or tomorrow – I’d welcome a conversation.