Social Housing: Housing associations need better professional input – Topman
A NEW degree aimed at housing associations (HAs) has received the backing of a leading West Midland entrepreneur.
Simon Topman, head of Birmingham-based Acme Whistles, is a former chair of Optima Housing until its amalgamation into WM Housing in 2011.
He said a new work-based BA (Hons) in Leadership and Management Practice for Housing Associations from Birmingham City Business School would help HAs develop and shape leaders of tomorrow.
This story is part of a supplement on social housing, produced in association with Lloyds Bank. To read more and to download it as a PDF click here.
Topman said he believed the operating conditions for HAs would only become more challenging given the current lack of housebuilding – a situation compounded by the changes to Housing Benefit Entitlement.
He said: “It’s clear in the current economy that housing associations can’t rely on significant government handouts. The good old days may never return in quite the same way and it may take up to 10 years to see the housing market return to sustained and solid growth.
“Associations need to become far more entrepreneurial in their practices, however it is my experience that many are currently poorly equipped to manage this required shift. The management of this change will prove critical – and those who act on this wake-up call will flourish.
“It is imperative associations adopt business skills which are traditionally not applied in the public sector, but are taken for granted in private industry. They must ask themselves if their staff are ready and prepared not with the skills of yesteryear, but are fully cognisant with the tools of efficient modern business.”
He said partnership with an institution like Birmingham City Business School would prove vital in helping to upskill the HAs to the required level.
The degree programme at Birmingham City Business School is designed to allow students to remain with their association for the duration of the programme and undertake four periods of intensive study at the school.
The programme blends academic theory and management practice knowledge with the aim of equipping future leaders with the skills they need to flourish. Existing employees of a sponsoring association can undertake the programme and complete the fast-track degree in just two years.
