Clarion Housing Group in partnership with Ashridge Executive Education to boost leadership

The initiative increases Clarion’s focus on the growth and development of existing staff whilst also continuing to use professional development as an important part of its employee proposition to attract good talent.

Historically offered at entry level within the business, the new approach includes the opportunity for employees to gain Degree level and Masters qualifications delivered by Ashridge Executive Education.

Chris Simmons, regional head of operations at Clarion Housing Group, will be taking part in the Leadership and Management Masters programme. Chris said: “I applied because I saw it as a good way to be part of the evolution of Clarion. It’s an exciting time to work here and everyone is working really hard to deliver on the business’s ambitions. I want to make my contribution through being able to work at a strategic level and also by being an effective leader. In the housing sector, our external environment changes at a pace and we need to ensure that we adapt and continue to provide our customers with a good service. I’m hoping that my Masters qualification will equip me with tools to guide and support my team to be the best they can be too.”

Jonathan Cawthra, group director of HR and Corporate Services at Clarion Housing Group, said: “One of our strategic objectives is being a great place to work. Part of achieving this means developing our people and ensuring they have the right tools for the job. We’re especially pleased to be working with Ashridge Executive Education to provide our staff with this significant professional development opportunity. Ashridge Executive Education suits our staff’s needs because they have demonstrated their ability to recognise and reflect our requirements, incorporating them into their world class offer. It is an extremely well established institution which has over 50 years’ experience in driving the success of leaders.”

James Moncrieff, Professor of Practice at Ashridge Executive Education, added: "We are delighted to work with Clarion to develop their managers through to Degree and Masters levels.  These are challenging programmes that will stretch the participants and enable them to fulfil more of their own potential. The programmes will equip them to deliver superior performance for Clarion, as it pursues its special blend of business growth, service excellence and social responsibility."

ENDS 

For more information please contact [email protected].

Notes to editors

Clarion Housing Group comprises the country’s largest housing association; a property development company, a charitable foundation and a repairs and maintenance service.

The Group’s housing association, Clarion Housing, is committed to providing good customer service to all its residents and to maintaining its homes to a good standard - investing significantly in improving them each year.

Its development target is to build 50,000 new homes over 10 years, with two thirds for affordable rent and low cost home ownership.  Affordable homes are developed by Clarion Housing, while homes for private sale are delivered and marketed through a development company, Latimer.  The proceeds from sales are invested in our social purpose.  

The charitable foundation, Clarion Futures, will invest £15 million over ten years to deliver one of the largest social investment programmes in the country. Priorities are work and training; money management and young people.

Clarion Housing Group is the result of a merger between Affinity Sutton and Circle Housing Group in 2016.

Lucy Pond
Communications Manager (Housing Association and Corporate Affairs)
Clarion Housing Group
Level 6, 6 More London Place, Tooley Street, London SE1 2DA
T: 0207 378 5555 M: 0771 8269 023