One to watch – Sarah Russell, vice-chair, Wythenshawe Community Housing Group

When you were younger, what did you want to be when you grew up?

A lawyer or a politician. So far, so good!

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

I was initially put forward by my council.

I feel very lucky because the housing sector, at its best, is full of great people with excellent values working with tenants to create a better society.

That may sound idealistic, and I can be as hard-headed as the next lawyer, but I really do love it.

What’s your proudest work moment or biggest achievement so far?

We’ve improved the diversity of the board at Wythenshawe Community Housing Group, and our governance is improving, too.

Better diversity is the right thing to do morally, and it’s also linked with better performance. I’m proud to have been part of that and I want to work on it further.

And what has been your hardest moment?

The toughest moments at work, no matter how intensely stressful they are, often pass surprisingly swiftly.

But I was appointed when my first daughter was eight months old, and two more children rapidly followed.

Being a newly elected councillor and a first-time board member in a new sector, with a succession of babies, was hard. I’m glad I persevered.

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

Bishop David Walker, our chair, the rest of the board, and the Wythenshawe Community Housing Group leadership team have always been very flexible, and were understanding when my children attended meetings.

Some people would only have seen the toys on the floor and the baby on my lap. But my team saw a knowledgeable lawyer/councillor with a lot of multi-tasking capability, asking relevant questions.

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

Increasing the amount of funding available to build housing for social rent, and bringing down the cost of housing for those in the private sector.

We’re a rich country. No one should be living in a poorly maintained, insecure or overcrowded home.