Fuad Mahamed
CEO and Founder of ACH, a non-profit social enterprise working to support refugees and migrants to build fulfilling lives in the UK.
1 What do you do for fun?
I like to be with my three girls who keep me very busy outside of work! When with friends, I like to watch Arsenal. I also really like walking in green spaces – every opportunity I get, I spend my time walking, and I swim three times a week.
2 You have the power to change one thing about the social housing sector: what would it be?
More new homes delivery. The demand really outstrips the supply. Unless we build more homes, social housing will not work.
3 What advice would you give to someone starting out in housing?
Housing is a really challenging, but highly rewarding career, with social value that provides purpose. It allows you to make a tangible change to our country and the world, but I wouldn’t underestimate the demands of the job. I would recommend new starters begin from a community level and get experience with frontline work such as support phone lines and face-to-face connections with customers.
4 Who’s your favourite author, and why?
Jack Canfield – he has written many self-development books. His books are very useful tools for any young graduates moving into the housing sector. It’s really important you have soft skills, as well as hard skills, and Canfield’s books help with both. I would also recommend The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey as a standalone title.
5 What is the strangest thing you’ve ever experienced?
I went on safari in Kenya. It got dark, and there were elephants running around, blocking the road home. We were scared to even move for the fear of being crushed, so at the advice of our guide, we decided to wait until they stopped blocking the road. However, they didn’t depart from their course from 9pm until 4am(!) and kept pushing the Jeep we were in throughout the night. They finally moved on at sunrise. We were terrified.
6 What are your three favourite albums?
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- Imagine – John Lennon
- The Wailing Wailers – Bob Marley & The Wailers: Bob Marley was probably one of the first artists that came from outside of North America that connected his music to people from different backgrounds so widely, and for that I have to give credit.
- All Eyes on Me – 2Pac: This album documents a black person struggling to make sense of the world (2Pac), so also makes the list.
In terms of recent releases, I’d also give a bonus answer of Graduation – Kanye West.
7 Proudest achievement?
Becoming a dad. Nothing else compares. Over climbing mountains, to starting ACH – nothing prepares you for it.
8 A world without music or a world without literature – and why?
Who could live in a world without music!? And without literature! Music connects people from all places with the greatest ease – I think I’d go for that.
9 Favourite place in the world?
I really like visiting Morocco. The food, the people, the surf, the weather! I feel super excited when I go – even having been over 40 times, I can’t wait to go again this year.
10 Favourite food?
Middle Eastern! I love Somali food, but Middle Eastern is climbing the charts… ACH has a big foodie culture and the Middle Eastern offerings our community brings together from Syria, Iran and Turkey always tempts me!
11 Most embarrassing moment?
I like to sing. I recently joined a school choir with parents and children, and there was a point where the music stopped and I was the only one singing. Everyone was looking at me – I can’t sing to save my life! My daughter said don’t ever come back! People were wondering if I was crying!
12 You can resurrect anyone from history and talk to them for an hour: who, and why?
Nelson Mandela – for his perseverance, patience, and how he said: ‘Change comes to those who wait.’ He waited 27 years in jail and then came out – when you look at the scale of what he did and how long it took, it gives inspiration to all to persevere.
13 Favourite film?
The Usual Suspects.
14 If you didn’t work in housing, what would you do?
Engineering, which is what I studied. I trained in engineering and was working in the sector for three years before I moved on to founding ACH.
15 What makes for a good life?
The ability to make a positive difference to other people. It’s not about you. This life is not just about enriching ourselves. What nourishes the soul is the impact you have on others – family, friends and homeless people.
