Mr Waqar Ahmed

Waqar has worked for L&Q Housing Group for 21 years and was appointed Group Finance Director in 2008. He has been in the Social Housing Sector for over 25 years.

Waqar main priorities has been to develop a management culture across the entire L&Q Group that pursues our social objectives with a commercial approach to optimise business efficiencies.  In 2008, as Group Finance Director his immediate priorities included simplifying the group structure and developing a new financial model and investment strategy that ensures the Group can maximise capacity for growth and retain the confidence of key investment stakeholders. Waqar has supported the Group in taking on commercial activities and vertical integration in both operational and Development functions to generate significant financial strength.  This combined with some £3 billion refinancing of our loan book with simple and flexible covenants sets the platform for the L&Q Group to build a 100k development pipeline over the next 10 years. 

Waqar has supported he Group's initiative to work in partnership with House builders and other Housing Associations unlocking additional capacity to build more homes.  The recent merger with Trafford Housing Trust, following a successful joint venture is an example of how two housing associations can work in partnership in a mutually beneficial way and generate significantly additionality with the stated intent to boost the supply of 20k additional new homes in the North West of England. 

A key driver for Waqar is to provide opportunity and support the development of people, across all functions in L&Q. He actively mentors and encourages staff to take advantage of our in house accredited professional qualification schemes as well as supporting them to lead on exciting new projects that will fulfil the L&Q Group’s ambition.