One to watch – Chloe Winson, assistant surveyor, Greatwell Homes

Tell us about how you first came to work in housing.

After school, I was doing work experience in recruitment when an interview popped up for an administrative role at a local construction company. It involved working on a repairs and maintenance contract for the local housing association. I went for the interview and got a call back within the hour, offering me the job! The first year, I completed my apprenticeship in business and administration while being an administrator and undergoing training to become a planner. When the contract ended, the service was taken in-house [by Greatwell].

What’s your proudest work moment so far?

One of my biggest achievements was the move from being a member of a repairs firm to being a part of Greatwell. It meant being involved with setting up an in-house repairs service.

“A team of three schedulers was now down to one: me. For two months, I had to manage the contract by myself with very little support”

We faced many difficulties, which included setting up a new system to record repairs. We produced a smoothly run service for customers which is still used today.

And what has been your hardest moment?

When it became apparent that the contract between where I worked previously and Greatwell was coming to an end, the contractor decided it would be best to cut costs by issuing redundancy notices.

A team of three schedulers was now down to one: me. For two months, I had to manage the contract by myself with very little support.

Who has been the most important person in your career so far – and why?

I would have to say my last and current managers. My previous manager, Louisa Campbell, was my mentor during a very difficult time for me. She was not only an amazing leader but also a person with great knowledge of her work.

“There seems to be a belief that anyone who rents from a housing association is unemployed. I think it would be beneficial to work to change this”

Because of her, I now sit within a new team with an equally good manager, Graham Pickard. Because of his willingness to want me to grow, my career looks very positive. 

If you could change one thing about the sector, what would it be?

There is huge stigma around the term ‘social housing’. There seems to be a belief that anyone who rents from a housing association is unemployed. I think it would be beneficial to work to change this.

I also think it would be a great idea for housing associations to work in partnership with educational services to help educate students in areas that schools lack, such as budgeting and managing finances.