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From the frontline – head of asset management Gareth Gathern
Gareth Gathern, head of asset management at ClwydAlyn, discusses decarbonising Wales, dealing with abandoned homes and why he’d like to time travel
Tell us about your job.
My priority is providing everyone with safe, well-maintained homes that are suitable and affordable. My team and I work on over 30,000 transactions, from day-to-day maintenance to compliance and capital works, every year. I’m enjoying our work decarbonising Wales and addressing fuel poverty for our residents.
How did you get into housing?
I have a background in finance and business consultancy. I fell into housing over six years ago, entering the sector within a finance role.
I quickly realised the value of working in housing and the impact my work can have on people and communities in Wales, a benefit I hadn’t experienced in the commercial world. Making a difference is at the heart of what ClwydAlyn do.
What is the best part of your job?
It varies. One day I’m dealing with abandoned homes or a major compliance issue and the next I’m helping to mentor an individual or developing opportunities for growth.
What’s the worst part?
The reactive nature of asset management in such a diverse housing association takes up too much capacity. Prioritising innovation sometimes takes a back seat.
What would your superpower be?
Time travel so I could avoid making wrong decisions.
What would you change about the housing sector?
I would make us more vocal and ensure our seat at the table is heard.
We are always involved in external policymaking, but at times, I don’t feel as a sector we have been heard or that we’ve come together to ensure we are.
If you could be prime minister for the day, what would you do?
I would make it mandatory for all politicians to undertake jobs in the sectors that their constituents work.
In order to represent us, they should live a day in our shoes so when voting for our futures is carried out, they’re informed on the impact it has.
What’s the most private thing you’d be willing to admit to your colleagues?
Privacy is down to perception, so my younger days are already known by colleagues. I’m probably too keen to share my own moments of stupidity to anyone that would listen in the context of having a laugh. I have a good, trustworthy team.
