People we work with

Associates

Zaidee
Resident involvement and empowerment, service reviews and audits
Simon
Consultation and facilitation, HR investigations and recruitment
Nitin
Training and people development, Business Excellence
Neal
Regeneration including business planning, resident empowerment, trainer and lecturer
Lynda
Trainer, leasehold and tenacy management, housing procedures, reviews
Karen
Supported and sheltered housing, Supporting People specialist - training and managing services/commissioning
Ruth
Working with and for tenants and residents groups, reviewing consultation structures
Jayne
Welfare Benefits trainer and expert
Barbara
Coaching, team building, facilitation, leadership and management training
Jack
Complaints specialist, investigations, reports,research
Jonathan
Social housing, interviewing and facilitation, research, analysis and interpretation

Other Specialists

Liz
Leadership development & change, qualified to use psychometric instruments
Dan
Role play, coaching and workshops
Jackie
Virtual PA and business support

Zaidee O'Dell

What I do and where I have been

I have a background in operational and strategic management with over 25 years experience in social housing.
I have worked within a variety of small, medium and large London housing organisations, working within diverse communities.
As a consultant I have assisted many organisations review their services, policies and strategies carrying out service reviews. I have also carried out service audits and have been part of numerous inspection teams carrying out mock inspections or helping organisations prepare for inspection.
My work has a heavy emphasis on resident involvement and empowerment. I have set up a number of resident inspect schemes where residents inspect their landlord services.
I have worked as an Independent Tenant Advisor.
I was a volunteer community mediator for 10 years.
I am a Member of the Chartered Institute of Housing.

Past Experience

Zaidee Consulting Ltd - Freelance consultancy support
Ealing Family HA - Head of Housing Services, Area Housing Manager, Policy & Research manager
Sanctuary HA - Housing Officer, Senior Housing Officer, Area Housing Manager
Epping Forest DC - Estate Management Officer

Key Skills

A logical thinker able to focus on results
An effective communicator both verbally and writing, able to communicate with individuals and groups at all levels
An effective problem solver – working with others to identify realistic solutions
Good project management skills – able to both create and support project teams and to quickly become effective as part of a team
A combined understanding of the housing sector from management experience together with knowledge of client needs from consultancy projects

How I describe myself

Committed to quality, value for money, equality, stakeholder involvement and high standards of service.

Simon Fuchs

What I do and where I have been

I have worked in the field of training and human resource management for over 25 years and have extensive experience of the voluntary sector, local government and the civil service.
I have extensive experience helping organisations develop their senior leaders, write policy and strategy and handle complex HR issues.
With a broad experience in equality and diversity issues I can conduct investigations into bullying and harassment, support senior recruitment exercises and facilitate management meetings and staff consultations.
I became a freelance consultant in 2007 having worked at Director level in a number of complex organisations.
I am a Fellow of the Institute of Personnel & Development.
I have been a Trustee of the Campaign for Learning and its Chair for four years (now retired).

Past Experience

Youth & Community Worker
Community Centre Warden
Training and development in the local authority and voluntary sector
Neighbourhood Officer
Human Resource management up to Director and Board level
Board Director for Westway Nursery and the Portsmouth Citizen’s Advice Bureau

Qualifications

Personnel & Development qualification
Certificate in Mediation
Certificate in Counselling in the Development of Learning
Diploma in Adult & Community Education
Certificate in Youth & Community Studies

Key Skills

Training (assessment of need, delivery and evaluation)
Group work
Facilitation
Mediation
Personnel & Development
Investigatory skills (identifying problem and preparation of findings report)

How I describe myself

Fair, enthusiastic, thorough.

Nitin Parmar

What I do and where I have been

I have over 18 years experience in housing and over 10 years experience gained in operational posts, running open programmes and consultancy.
I offer a broad portfolio of training materials covering leadership, management, team work, individual competencies and a range of housing and human resource solutions.
I am a Member of the Chartered Institute of Housing, the Institute of Personnel & Development and the British Quality Foundation.

Past Experience

Training – including management programme, customer service, Schedule 1, data protection, ASB and mentoring projects
Best Value mock inspections
National seminars on Equality and Diversity strategies
Tenants advocate project on sheltered housing
Rent arrears project
Project management

Qualifications

Post Graduate Diploma in Management Studies (DMS)
Assessor for The Business Excellence Model
Facilitator for The Pacific Institute on Investment in Excellence

How I describe myself

Passionate about excellence, as well as people and learning.

Neal Purvis

What I do and where I have been

I have spent over 20 years working for local authorities, housing associations, tenant groups and voluntary organisations.
I have designed and delivered training for Board members, Councillors, staff and volunteers across England and Wales.
I have lectured at the College of North East London and Middlesex University.
I have developed and managed the CIH National Certificate in Tenant Participation.
I am a Corporate Member of the Chartered Institute of Housing.

Past Experience

Over 25 years of housing experience, working for a local authority, teaching housing in a college, as a HA Board member and consultancy work nationwide at a senior level.
Over 20 years experience of resident involvement working with residents’ groups across the country.
Experience of working on a wide variety of regeneration projects in a variety of roles, ranging from technical advice, option appraisal, business planning, procurement, resident empowerment, design and delivery of consultation participation and project delivery.
Wide experience of negotiation and project management.
Hands on housing management experience.

Qualifications

BSc
MSc
MCIH
Certificate in Education

Key Skills

High level communication and presentation skills
Well developed analytical and research skills
Knowledge of housing service delivery across the country
Ability to work effectively in a team in a variety of roles
High level of numeracy and statistical analysis
Negotiation skills backed up by technical knowledge
Ability to review performance and analyse policy

How I describe myself

Interested in people, fascinated by communities, and eager to build a better future.

Lynda Hance

What I do and where I have been

Before turning freelance, I worked for several years in local authority housing management, progressing to a senior position.
I have worked in training and consultancy since 1997 where I use my extensive housing experience, together with my skills in planning and running both ongoing and one-off training courses and projects.
I have undertaken consultancy work to facilitate leaseholder focus groups, written procedures for social housing landlords on right to buy and leasehold, assessed staff training needs, conducting a tenant options study and improved customer care standards within a landlord organisation.
I undertook a long term contract with the Housing Corporation to give policy advice on tenant participation, culminating in my writing and publishing their Involvement Policy.
I am a Member of the Chartered Institute of Housing, Branch Secretary of the CIH London Branch and a Board Member of Sentinel Housing Group.

Past Experience

Research & Publications for CIH, The Housing Forum and The Housing Corporation
Board Member Training for various Housing Trusts/Associations
Leaseholder policy, procedure and training for various Housing Associations
Management Development programmes for various Housing Associations
Delivery of Housing Course lectures

Qualifications

Diploma in Management Studies
City & Guilds 707 – Further & Adult Education, Teacher Training Certificate
Higher Certificate in Governance
Institute of Housing PQ, Parts 1 and 2

Key Skills

Process mapping, process, service and business improvement reviews
Board member training
Customer service work
Writing policies and procedures
Leasehold policy and training
Housing options & homelessness – policy, strategy and training
Housing management training

How I describe myself

Passionate, fun, innovative.

Karen Patten

What I do and where I have been

I have over 20 years experience within the social housing sector, the last 10 of these years at senior management level, working for a variety of small voluntary agencies, large national housing associations and local authorities.
I have considerable experience of managing and developing services for all client groups including residential care homes, extra care schemes, supported housing, sheltered housing, floating support and a home care service.
I have successfully undertaken the delivery of organisational change and the implementation of viable solutions for a number of complex situations within the supported housing sector.
I have extensive knowledge and experience of the Supporting People programme both as a provider and commissioner of services.
I am a motivational trainer in most areas of supported housing, including Supporting People, contract negotiation, support planning, business planning and remodelling of services.

Past Experience

North Tyneside Council - Supporting People Lead Officer
Richmond Fellowship - Assistant Director of Operations
Southend Borough Council - Supporting People Lead Officer
Ealing Council - Supporting People Lead Officer
St Martin of Tours - Director of Operations
Moat Housing Group - Head of Support Services,
Supported Housing Initiatives Manager

Qualifications

BA Hons in Applied Social Studies

Key Skills

Training in all aspects of supported housing, care and support services
Supported Housing – Development of services
Supported Housing – Management/Leadership
Supporting People – Lead Officer
Project Management
Change Management
Development of Quality Standards

How I describe myself

Optimistic, driven and focussed.

Jayne Knights

What I do and where I have been

I spent over 18 years as a local authority welfare rights worker and advocate before becoming a freelance trainer in 2001.
I cover the spectrum of social security and welfare rights issues.
I specialise in delivering easily understood courses to workers who need up to date and clear information that can be used to increase clients’ incomes and ensure successful benefits claims.
I am a Member of the Child Poverty Action Group, the Disability Alliance and the London Advice Services Alliance (LASA)

Past Experience

Self-employed trainer and consultant for eight years
Over 18 years experience as a welfare rights advocate and trainer, for both the GLC and Brighton & Hove Council

Qualifications

Degree in Sociology and Social Work
CQSW

Key Skills

Making the social security system comprehensible
Providing a vital updating service
Introducing new workers to the benefits system in an enthusiastic and engaging way
Providing ongoing mentoring and support to staff who are working with clients on benefits
Writing comprehensive but accessible notes on a wide range of benefits-related subjects
Developing new courses to reflect the Governments changing benefits agenda

How I describe myself

Humorous, knowledgeable, patient.

Barbara Cook

What I do and where I have been

I have 14 years corporate experience in HR and management development working at Board level plus I am a Clinical Hypnotherapist.
Additionally, I have over 16 years experience as a freelance consultant specialising in coaching, team building, facilitation and training delivery to all levels of staff in a wide range of business environments.

Qualifications

Occupational Tester Intermediate Level
Accredited Trainer for Situational Leadership (SLII)
Accredited Trainer for Team Management Profiles (TMS)
Diploma in Clinical Hypnosis

Key Skills

Critical thinking
Coaching
Non-evaluative listening
Motivating and encouraging others
Facilitation
Presentation
Dealing with difficult situations

How I describe myself

Adaptable, enthusiastic, creative

Jack McKenna

What I do and where I have been

I spent over 30 years working in local government and investigating and reporting complaints for the Local Government Ombudsman (LGO).
I have extensive experience in speaking to a variety of audiences on the work of the LGO, including joint working with the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman.

Past Experience

Over 30 years experience in local government and the investigation and reporting of complaints for the Local Government Ombudsman (LGO) including housing complaints, planning issues, delicate social services matters, complex special educational needs complaints, land transactions, parking and decriminalised parking offences, complaints against Independent Appeal Panels and many more.
My experience includes managing a team of eight investigators and associated support staff, supervising complex investigations, managing and supervising formal reports, advising the Ombudsman personally on conclusions and remedies for injustice.

Qualifications

BSc in Economics
MA in Public & Social Administration
Certificate in the Theory of Counselling Psychology (CSCT)
Certificate in Counselling Skills and Combined Certificate in Counselling (CSCT)

Key Skills

Excellent personal skills to interview all types of people
A clear and precise plain English writing style
The production of logical and robust outcomes to any type of investigation
An understanding of stakeholder interests
Good research skills
Extensive experience of applying a complex and changing legislative framework

How I describe myself

Photographer, album reviewer and Green Wing addict.

Jonathan Card

What I do and where I have been

I have over 20 years experience of working in social housing, at all levels.
I have over nine years experience as a consultant. I have worked on a wide variety of projects including organisational healthchecks, performance management systems, service reviews and improvement, inspection preparation.
I am a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Housing.
I am an independent Board Member of Homes for Haringey.

Past Experience

Housing and property management
Senior management
Change management
Strategy development

Qualifications

BSc in Town Planning
Professional Qualification - CIH

Key Skills

Project Management
Research, analysis and interpretation
Interviewing and facilitation – at all levels from Board members, all staff from front line staff to Executive, and residents
Development of strategy and action planning

How I describe myself

Experienced, conscientious, and hard working – focusing on adding value to the client.

Other Specialists:

Liz Baltesz

Liz helps businesses create sustainable change, working with individual leaders, teams and whole organisations. She works with leaders to clarify their business and personal challenges and aspirations and to develop practical strategies, which respect their personal integrity and operating style. At an organisational level, Liz helps businesses create high levels of commitment and engagement in major change initiatives, working with leadership and change teams to shape approaches, which work with their culture and resource constraints, and developing people to act as internal change champions. At a team level, she helps new teams accelerate their effectiveness and established teams to refresh their approach or overcome significant barriers.

For the last twelve years, Liz has consulted to a wide range of businesses in Europe, Asia and North America, and has extensive experience of working with housing organisations and their leaders. Prior to consulting, Liz was a senior member of Ernst & Young's development team, developing and assessing potential partners, designing and running leadership programmes and advising partners on how to tackle key people issues in their businesses. She also spent 10 years in local government at a time of major change. Liz has an MSc. in Organisational Behaviour and is qualified to use a wide range of psychometric instruments.

Dan Long

Dan Long works through his own company to provide role-play, coaching and workshops for both Private Sector and Public Sector customers. Dan Long Associates Ltd aims to connect and engage with the individual to give lasting impact beyond the training room.

working collaboratively with our Customers and Associates to enhance existing programmes or to design new ones.
providing the skill to create a safe environment where individuals can be challenged to step outside their comfort zone.
providing the immediate high quality feedback needed to help shift a change in behaviour.

We have a core team and a wider collaborative network of professional role-players and associates. Our professional role-players are all trained actors. They bring a sense of authenticity and reality to the interaction which enhances the experiential learning experience. Most importantly they are skilled at delivering high quality and immediate feedback.

Dan Long is a role-play specialist. His initial career was as an actor with 14 years experience in film, television and theatre. After gaining a postgraduate Diploma in Arts Management and an MA from North London University Dan moved into management roles with major arts organisations. Over the past 20 years Dan has built up an exceptional track record of working with world class training organisations to deliver development programmes for national and international customers.

Jackie Baily

I have 25 years experience as a Personal Assistant, the last 14 of these years working as a Virtual Assistant and trading as ‘Virtuosity Executive Support’, providing a comprehensive administrative service to businesses, ranging from sole traders to international corporations, across all industry sectors, around the globe.

I am an Associate Member of the Institute of Directors, a member of the International Association of Virtual Assistants and a member of the Chamber of Commerce York, Leeds & North Yorkshire.

Recent clients

Hasler Training Associates, London
Texon International Group Limited, Guangzhou, China
Bison Concrete Products Limited, Burton-on-Trent
Stewart Harris Agnew Partnership, London
Proportion Marketing, Thirsk
Orchard ResourceBase Limited, Thirsk
Atlantis Investment Management, London
Wilson Mitchell & Co., Leeds
National Flood Hazard Research Centre, Middlesex University, Enfield
University York St. John
Tax-Mot Limited, Folkestone

Qualifications

RSA Diploma for Personal Assistants
BA Hons in Music

Key skills

Excellent time management skills
Good communication skills – both written and oral
Accuracy and attention to detail
Ability to work with a diverse range of clients across all industry sectors

How I describe myself

Approachable, professional, patient.