SLH’s Joe Hughes makes final stage of future leader competition

Published: 12/07/2019

Joe Hughes, neighbourhood management officer at South Liverpool Homes (SLH), has made it to the final five of the national 24Housing Young Leaders 2019 award.

Joe was recognised as a future leader in housing after making the top 10 shortlist where he was asked to present an idea that could help transform the housing sector and its offer for tenants in London on 7 June.  He won the judges over with his LiveWell concept, an ambitious idea where housing associations take the lead role in helping tenants access the full range of services in their communities. 

He has now entered the final stages of the competition where he will battle it out with four other strong contenders to present his ideas around ‘trust’ at the National Housing Federation annual conference in London in September.

The Young Leader award is in its ninth year and creates a platform for candidates to demonstrate their potential to become a strong leader in the housing sector. 

Mark Lawrence, Editor of 24housing, said: “Judges were impressed with the confident presentation Joe gave and the positive ideas behind it. His idea of a LiveWell community is an ambitious one, but one that housing associations and other local partners would benefit hugely from, were it to work. Joe also showed leadership qualities outside of the presentations, talking to various other Young Leaders and agreeing a meet up afterwards for networking.”

Julie Marsh, SLH’s Director of Neighbourhood Management said, “We are all so proud of Joe.  The Young Leader competition shines a light on the most promising individuals set to be future leaders in housing and Joe’s professionalism, passion and assertiveness are just some of the qualities that make him a born leader.

“He wowed the judges with his outstanding presentation in June and he is ready and eager to make a lasting impression in this final, exciting stage. Good luck Joe!”

Joe has worked at SLH since 2014 when he began his career as a lettings executive. He now works as a neighbourhood management officer in one of the most challenging areas in the UK.  He has mentored SLH’s GEM housing graduates, coaching them to deal with the day-to-day challenges of neighbourhood management and continues to learn and grow through ongoing training and development programmes.

Links: 24Housing