Tim Goggin, Manager of our London Finance and HR division, reflects on the recent Housing Finance conference and the current climate of the housing market.
It was great to engage with everyone at the recent National Housing Finance conference in Liverpool, and now that my legs have rested from twelve hours of standing, I’ve been able to reflect on the latest developments in the sector which the event illuminated.
Housing Associations across the UK have been doing an outstanding job of providing affordable housing during a time when spiralling interest rates and cost-of-living demands are putting greater pressure on those with the lowest incomes. It was inspiring to hear that despite this period of uncertainty, our clients remain positive in their approach to delivering on development projects across the UK and that creativity and out-of-the-box thinking are the way forward.
Meeting with our clients at the conference, it was evident how important each hire is to an organisation, and the feedback we receive from every placement is how much our candidates enjoy seeing the impact of the work they do; working within Social Housing is more than just a job! 2022 proved to be a difficult time for staffing across the sector, and I was delighted to hear how the solutions we delivered have helped to alleviate some of those burdens.
Already this year we have seen a shift from candidates prioritising work-life balance to a desire for work-life integration, which means a move away from the traditional 9-5 working hours to providing flexibility to complete tasks around their own schedule. As long as the work is completed, employers don’t mind what hours they are completed in. Housing Associations are typically happy to offer these flexible work schedules, so attracting top talent from inside and outside the sector remains on a positive trajectory for 2023 and beyond.
2023 is likely to be another year of uncertainty across the UK, but what the conference has made clear is that Social Housing is in capable hands. Despite the pressures that organisations face, leadership across the sector remains nimble and positive in their outlook for the year. After meeting with these individuals, I can sense the determination to work through these turbulent times and I look forward to meeting everyone again in 2024.
Should you wish to discuss your recruitment requirements, please contact Tim Goggin on 020 7557 7667 or email tgoggin@venngroup.com