History of The Network
The Housing Quality Network (The Network) was established by HFTA Ltd (now HQN Ltd) in 1997 to assist local authorities and housing associations to meet the challenges of the government's Best Value agenda. It was set up on a ’not-for-profit‘ basis, reporting to a steering group of members and with a constitution setting out arrangements for elections.
In 2004, the steering group agreed a review of the position of The Network within HFTA Ltd. This was designed to simplify and clarify what had become an at times confusing company structure.
The ’not-for-profit‘ basis was thereby ended, but to maintain the spirit of the original arrangements HQN wanted:
- An advisory group and an ongoing commitment to member surveys
- Guaranteed subscription rates (increases limited to inflation for as long costs are met)
- Performance information (so members can see that volumes are not slipping)
- Satisfaction information – year on year (so members can see that standards are not slipping).
The Network now has over 700 members, including the Audit Commission.
Our Network advisory group
- Anna Benbow
- Director of Property Services
- Homes for Northumberland
- Carole Hodson
- Director of Policy and Corporate Services
- Solihull Community Housing
- Chris Shepherd
- Tenants Project Executive
- Wrekin Housing Trust
- Janet Parry
- Director of Housing Management
- Sheffield Homes
- Mark Ford
- Chief Executive
- High Peak Community Housing
- Nigel Trilloe
- Head of Business Transformation
- Midland Heart
- Paul Buckley
- Director of Neighbourhoods
- Kirklees Neighbourhood Housing
- Sandra Coleing
- Director of Quality
- Stockport Homes
- Stephen Feast
- Business Services Director
- Newark and Sherwood Homes
- Wendy Smith
- Excellence Ambassador
- Paradigm Housing Group
- Bill Fullen
- Chief Executive
- The Gateshead Housing Group
- Chris Kilbane
- Individual Support Director
- Places for People
- Gerard Buckley
- Business Planning Team Leader
- Stoke-on-Trent City Council
- Julie Marsh
- Head of Regeneration, Service Development and Enterprise
- South Liverpool Housing
- Mike Wood
- Strategy and Development Manager
- South Lanarkshire Council
- Parveen Sidhu
- Operations Director/Deputy Chief Executive
- Unity Housing Association
- Peter Jefferson
- Chief Executive
- Blackpool Coastal Housing
- Sharron McGuinness
- Housing Director
- Pierhead Housing Association
- Tracy Heyes
- Executive Director Operations
- Regenda Group
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“Being a member of the advisory group is a great opportunity to influence the work undertaken by HQN to ensure it truly is meeting the needs of its members. It is pleasing to know that HQN does listen to its members and provides training, conferences and briefings which are at all times relevant to the day job of housing professionals. The briefings are useful tools to share not only with staff but also with board members. The good reputation of HQN is well deserved”
Julie Marsh, Head of Regeneration, Service Development & Enterprise, South Liverpool Housing