Q&A with Chris Irons - Rising Stars 2016

Who in the housing world really inspires you and why?

Every one inspires me that I get to meet and I genuinely mean that. The housing sector is so diverse with an extraordinary amount of jobs and roles, I love to see what everyone is bringing to the table in their roles. So that I can see if there is anything I can learn from them to help me in my career or even just help me improve as a person. I wouldn’t want to pin it down to one person as I like to see a wide variety of views so that it enhances my understanding overall.

What building would you like to visit worldwide and why?

I would like to visit Buckingham Palace. I see this building as one of the pinnacles of Great Britain and would love to see the whole building not just what members of the public can see, imagine the stories it could tell…

How did you get into housing?

I got into housing because of my dad, when I was finishing secondary school he told me to learn a trade as tradesman are always required and it would provide me a secure job for life, so I did. I joined as an apprentice gas engineer with Martlet Homes, and have stayed with the housing association since, although it has undergone some make-overs over the years and is now under The Hyde Group as Hyde Property Services. I want to use my experiences gained from working with our residents in their homes to really help shape the industry we are in and make a difference.

Which five people would you invite to your dinner party and why?

I would invite:

Gordon Ramsey

Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall

Heston Blumenthal

Marco Pierre White

Rick Stein

That would be one very tasty dinner party and I could score them like they do on come dine with me, and earn a few pounds for charity by having a swear jar for Gordon.

Apart from being a Rising Star finalist, what has been the highlight of your career to date?

The highlight of my career to date was my current manager seeing something in me and giving me a chance, this was a number of years ago but that chance I was given has allowed me to progress and learn my skills to get me to where I am today. I have progressed from being tradesman to now running a team of 19 engineers and managing the gas works for around 8,000 properties.  Sometimes all you need to do is be given an opportunity, I believe that we can all achieve whatever we want to in life if we grasp the opportunity when it comes round.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?

The only silly question is the one that isn’t asked. I apply this all the time and also encourage my team to do the same and not to be afraid to do so either.

If you had three wishes, how would you use them?

My first wish would be for everyone to be able to achieve their dreams and aspirations in life.

My second wish would be to make renewable energy affordable for everyone so that we could save money and help our planet.

My third wish would be to see all homeless people provided with safe and secure accommodation as no one should have to live on the streets.

What piece of advice would you give somebody embarking on a career in housing?

Be prepared to face an extremely varied amount of challenges in your career, embrace each one, see it through to the end and enjoy seeing the difference your actions have made to other people’s lives. I believe that success is measured by how high you bounce back from a setback.

What’s the best thing about your current job?

Being able to influence and make decisions that help to improve not only the working life’s of the people I work with but also improve the customer service and in some cases the lives of our residents. I don’t get every decision right, as we all don’t on occasions, but I also have an incredible management team who provide great support and advice when I need it.  When you get to see the difference the decisions you make enhance the people of the lives around you there is no better feeling.

If you are our Rising Star for 2016, how might your life have changed in 12 months’ time?

I hope that by winning the Rising Star award it would give me a leg up to get my ideas for the future of housing to a level where serious discussions could take place and I could make a difference to the sector. I also have a spot on the mantel piece which needs filling would look very nice with a plaque in it.