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One to watch – Yağmur Arduç, assistant bid manager, Morgan Sindall Property Services
This month’s interviewee in Inside Housing’s series on the next generation of housing leaders is Yağmur Arduç. Yağmur was recommended by her colleague Fiona Lowe, head of business development at Morgan Sindall Property Services
Tell us about your job.
As an assistant bid manager, my role within Morgan Sindall Property Services entails managing and co-ordinating tender proposals from potential new clients. This involves conducting research, planning, co-ordinating and drafting new content, to make sure that high-quality, compelling proposals are developed in line with the client term briefs and objectives.
The nature of my job requires having a deep understanding of commercial and operational delivery models. Hence, it is essential to keep up with any changes across our business and industry.
When you were younger, what did you want to be when you grew up?
Growing up in a family made up of professionals involved in accountancy services, I too wanted to be an accountant. I was always drawn to maths and how it can be applied to the real world. I was interested in the science behind how economies worked, hence I did my degree in economics and finance so I could work in a related industry.
Tell us about how you first came to work in housing.
As part of a joint training initiative by the university and the local authority’s housing maintenance provider, I commenced my career in the world of bids as a student on placement year. Once my studies ended, I was offered a permanent position in their bid team due to my efforts and achievements in a short space of time and never looked back.
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What has been your proudest work moment or biggest achievement?
In general, having worked in this field for over eight years, with every contract win and mobilisation, it is satisfying to see how the ideas, solutions and initiatives we develop in our teams come to fruition in the real world. I am very proud of the impact our teams make in the communities we are involved in.
And what has been your hardest moment?
It was difficult to adjust to working remotely due to COVID-19 restrictions. This was also during the time when I was making the transition into my new role, therefore face-to-face interactions with my colleagues was extremely important for my personal growth.
Having worked throughout all the lockdowns, I found it challenging to ensure greater creativity, to communicate and collaborate with people outside our teams and develop myself further in this role.
Who has been the most important person who has helped your career so far, and why?
Throughout my career, all my line managers have been very influential and supportive of my development. My former line manager, Anneka Gill, head of transformation at Morgan Sindall Property Services, played an important role in ensuring I had all the support needed to smoothly transition from bid co-ordinator to bid manager.
If you could change one thing about the sector, what would it be?
One key area we should not lose focus on is homelessness. I believe there should be a more systematic approach in how local authorities and contractors could prevent individuals becoming homeless, such as providing them with the opportunities and resources to improve their situation.
Reforming the definition for homelessness could play a key role in this. This is because the current general criteria contains various barriers a person needs to satisfy in order to access the necessary support services. Those who don’t meet the criteria often struggle and find themselves in a vicious cycle of financial deprivation.
One to Watch series
In our ‘one to watch’ series, we speak to up-and-coming housing leaders. They discuss their job, how they got to where they are and their ambitions for the future.
We aim to feature staff from across the sector.
Click here to nominate yourself or a colleague for inclusion
One to Watch series:
Alicia Walker – head of policy, research and campaigns at Centrepoint
Matthew Beetar – equality, diversity and inclusion specialist at Accent Group
Morgan Lynch – assistant development and delivery manager at Home Group
Rosalyn Springer – partnership manager (social value) at MTVH
Andreia Pinto – senior customer care co-ordinator at L&G Affordable Homes
Chris Collins – homeownership officer at Hightown
Tasmin Ross – HR officer at River Clyde Homes
Kerry Clayton – governance and compliance manager at Elderpark Housing
Eden Bailey – senior head of housing services, Hft
Vicky Gladden – quality and practice lead, BCHA
Yağmur Arduç – assistant bid manager, Morgan Sindall Property Services
Nivene Powell – head of communities, EcoWorld London
Jeanette Tolhurst – scheme manager, Hightown
Harry Clarke – finance business partner, CHP
Jasmine Tansur – resident liaison officer, Midlands, PA Housing
Georgina Bavetta – service manager, tenancy sustainment, Islington Council
Taranjit Kaur Chana – senior client services manager, Home Group
Sarah Russell – vice-chair, Wythenshawe Community Housing Group
Chloe Winson – assistant surveyor, Greatwell Homes
Melissa Young – scheme manager, Housing 21
Hugh Gatenby – development analyst, Homes England
Sioned Wyn Williams – creating futures manager, Creating Enterprise (part of Cartrefi Conwy)
Avril Roberts – development project manager, RHP
Kath Menzies – housing services officer, Link Housing
