Expanding our Compliance Team (whilst challenging gender stereotypes)

We have expanded our Staffs Housing Compliance Team with two compliance surveyors joining the Group in January and February.

The team, which is led by Head of Compliance Kathryn Ing, has doubled in the last three months. With compliance and contract administrators already in post, the team has now been joined by compliance surveyors Jenna and Rosanna with further recruitment underway. 

Investing in the team is essential. The team play a crucial role across Staffs Housing, ensuring homes remain safe across six key areas of health and safety: asbestos, gas, water hygiene, electrical and fire safety. 

Director of Housing Services Tim Sheail explains: "As a housing provider we must comply with health and safety regulations. Last year we developed new policies to ensure we are up to date with all regulations and following best practice."

"Our priority in 2023/24 is to ensure that all fire doors in our housing schemes meet standards and are upgraded or replaced where necessary."

In the process of expanding, the team has also helped challenge gender barriers for surveyor roles.

RICS stats show only 12.5% of construction team members and 33% of surveying professionals are female. Our new compliance team quashes these stats with a 100% female workforce. 

Compliance surveyor Jenna joined the team from a local maintenance contractor. She shared her experience of being a female in a male-dominated industry.

"It can be challenging" said Jenna. "In previous roles I have found it harder to fit in and feel comfortable after discriminatory comments like 'I didn't expect a woman to come out and inspect this' or 'those tools look heavy, let me carry them for you'.

"It fills me with pride to join a team challenging some maintenance stereotypes. I'm looking forward to getting stuck into my new role and continuing to break down the barriers!"