Lessons From The Top: What I Learnt In My First Year as a Chief Executive

Speakers

Tracy Allison

Chief Executive, West Kent Housing Association

Tracy Allison is CEO at West Kent Housing and is passionate about the role housing associations can play within society. She is a finance director by profession, with an early career spanning the charity and commercial sectors and was most recently Deputy CEO at The Hyde Group. She has a track record in leading organisations through tough times, creating a compelling vision, gaining buy in to change and working through others to achieve an organisation’s potential. Tracy is a Trustee of St Mungo’s, a leading homelessness charity. 

John Giesen

Former Chief Executive, B3Living, Chair of Tpas

John is Chair of Tpas, a national organisation promoting best practice for landlord and resident engagement and is also Chair of PRHA, a housing association in East London, providing supported housing for people recovering from drug, alcohol and mental health issues. He is also involved in a CIC in Bristol and a school governor in Hertfordshire.

John has more than 50 years experience in housing and was CEO at B3Living, for 10 years, leading them to become a 3* Top 10 Best Company for 5 years in a row. B3Living were also ranked No.4 in the Stonewall WEI and championed ‘End Racism this Generation’ with the Runnymede Trust.

Dorian Leatham

Former Chief Executive, Hillingdon Council

People-orientated senior executive leader and trusted board advisor who demonstrates a flair for driving transformational change in politically charged and highly challenging environments. As an experienced board member, non-executive director, trustee and panel member, Dorian influences policy decisions and heads up the development of national strategies that address some of the most fundamental issues such as diversity, equality and housing provision.

Coming from a Caribbean background, Dorian is proud of his heritage, particularly his father, who taught him the meaning of working hard to achieve your dreams. Stepping into the public sector, Dorian has held senior executive positions in some of the largest and most complex London boroughs, including Lambeth, Hillingdon, Hounslow and Croydon. He is a passionate and inspiring leader who is well respected.

Dorian takes a holistic approach to strategy building, looking across the entire organisational landscape to identify critical issues and shape creative visions that consistently deliver positive business outcomes. He presents compelling cases to multi-level stakeholders that secure buy-in and £multimillion funding.

Investing in people, Dorian acknowledges the contribution individuals can make to any business, no matter the size or type. He is a competent executive coach and mentor, working with leaders at all levels to help establish culture and values. As someone who holds Diversity & Inclusion close to their heart, Dorian provides insightful guidance and recommendations on furthering D&I agendas.

Forging, maintaining and nurturing strategic partnerships is one of Dorian’s fortes. He can forge connections between public and private sector stakeholders, encouraging investment in social and economic regeneration initiatives.
Driving organisational development and transformation, Dorian can make substantial changes that result in delivering more effective services even when cost-cutting limits resources. He addresses toxic or detrimental cultures, taking the time to introduce new ways of working, including open-door policies and giving people a voice.

With an immense desire to improve the quality of life for those who are less advantaged than himself, Dorian dedicates his time and energy to championing causes and supporting a wide variety of organisations.

Dean Cordingley

Director, Social Housing Practice, New Street Consulting Group

Dean is a director within the social housing practice at NSCG specialising in connecting clients with top talent during times of change/transformation, turnaround, and to ensure essential operational delivery. He has been consulting and recruiting for the not-for-profit and public sector for over 19 years and is passionate about helping organisations tackle challenges whilst balancing customer needs and maintaining commercial viability. 

Date: 13th October 2022

Time: 13:00 – 15:30

Venue: Central London

If you would like to register your interest to attend the roundtable please click the link below.