Gulam Hussain
Head of Regulatory Assurance and Neighbourhoods, Tower Hamlets Homes
1 Tell us about your career and how you ended up in your current role
Like many in the sector, I didn’t plan on joining the world of housing and fell into it by chance. I started off life working initially in schools before moving into local government and working in a range of policy roles.
I arrived in housing a month after the tragedy at Grenfell Tower, taking up a role with Tower Hamlets Homes (THH). Whilst I didn’t have a housing background, what I did have was a strong sense of what good services should be like and the ability to relate to the lives of those living in social housing.
Little did I know at the time that the world of social housing would become my new calling.
Drawing on my policy background I quickly found myself once again getting to grips with policy in the form of the Social Housing Green Paper. Since then, I’ve been working with our executive team and board to help shape our response to the changing regulatory framework.
With the support of an amazing manager and the encouragement of a supportive executive team, in June 2021 I assumed the role of Head of Regulatory Assurance with responsibility for business planning, performance, resident engagement and complaints.
In July of this year I also took on the role of Head of Neighbourhoods in addition to my substantive role where I now also oversee the work of our housing officers, income collection and a dedicated fire safety team.
As well as my day job with THH, I also serve as a board member for New World Housing Association, a small south London association which works primarily with the Vietnamese community and also volunteer as a school governor.
2 Describe yourself in three words
Caring, passionate, perfectionist.
3 Favourite place on earth?
Anywhere beside the sea.
4 What would you change about yourself?
I’d learn to drive! I’ve resisted the urge so far but now might be the time I finally cave in.
5 Describe your home
I’m a Londoner through and through. Born and raised in Tower Hamlets, I still live in the borough.
My flat is located on the edge of the city and overlooks Tower Bridge and the locations of some of Jack the Ripper’s infamous murders. As a dad to three little boys, my home often resembles Legoland.
6 Best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
‘Life is not a sprint, it’s a marathon so pace yourself.’ Ironically it was given by someone who was on a permanent sprint!
7 If you won £1 million on the Lottery, what would you spend it on?
Save some for a rainy day. The rest I would spend on a new home.
8 Most treasured possession
My phone! I do almost everything on it, from organising myself to doing the grocery shopping. Can’t be without it.
9 What makes you angry?
Seeing people get treated poorly.
10 Biggest achievement?
Undertaking my Chartered Management Institute Qualifications whilst in full time work and with a very young family.
It was an incredibly challenging period and there were times I considered throwing in the towel, but with perseverance I finally did manage to write the five 3,000-word essays I had to write to obtain my qualification. My experience gave me a new found respect for everyone that’s studying whilst also working.
11 Biggest regret?
Not sure I have one. Life is too short, and tomorrow is a new day.
12 Most overused phrase?
Running around like a headless chicken.
13 Recommend a book
The Lies of the Land: An Honest History of Political Deceit by Adam Macqueen.
14 The best piece of television in the last 12 months?
This is Going to Hurt – the BBC’s adaptation of the book of the same name. Painfully funny and heartbreakingly honest in its exploration of the emotional effects of working within the health service.
15 Tell us a secret about yourself
That would be telling!
