Victoria Slade

Chief Executive, Guernsey Housing Association

1 What do you do for fun?

When I’m not busy overthinking things, like the definition of fun, then it’s all about being in a quiet space, absorbed in a good book, or being outdoors, admiring nature. The coast here has a massive tidal range, so beachcombing is great. Last week I found three fishing boats and a dead crab.

2 You have the power to change one thing about the social housing sector: what would it be?

I would like to see us consistently supporting our values even if it’s not politically popular. Especially, even. Politicians come and go. Some not as quickly as perhaps we would like. But our values shouldn’t waver, and I worry as a sector they’ve become diluted.

3 What advice would you give to someone starting out in housing?

That the beauty of housing is that it’s a people business. People are wildly diverse, don’t fit into neat processes, and do things that surprise you. There will be days when that confounds you, or delights you, maybe even on the same day. No two days are the same. Enjoy the ride.

4 If you had to work in housing in another country, which would it be, and why?

I’ve only just started in this one!

5 Who’s your favourite author and why?

How can you only have one? I suppose if it’s an author that’s never let me down it would have to be Will Self. But then there’s Joseph Heller. And Martin Amis. All clever with words and thoughts, slightly unhinged, darkly hilarious. How could you not love characters like Major Major Major Major whose office is only open when he’s not in?

6 What are your three favourite albums?

For some reason I really like listening to the eponymous Rage Against the Machine while I’m cooking. It made me laugh when Trump fans were playing Killing in the Name at one of their rallies. I haven’t answered the question, and I’m not going to. (Fans will get it)

7 Sat snugly at home or travelling around the world?

I feel travelling really does help you grow as a person. I’ve visited some amazing places in my life – Madagascar, India, Ponty – but I’m worried about my carbon footprint. So sat snugly at home listening to my second and third favourite albums is just fine.

8 A world without music or a world without literature?

No. Just no. This is preposterous. I’m not doing it.

9 Strangest thing you’ve ever experienced?

So many things it’s hard to pick. But there was the time I nearly joined a cult by accident at a book fayre in Camden. Long story short, I’m still getting invitations, 31 years later, for residential courses in Sussex. I realise now L Ron Hubbard was not a sci-fi author.

10 Favourite food?

I go through a series of mini-obsessions. Ex-colleagues will remember the Toblerone years. Current obsession is lemon meringue cheesecake at a lovely café called The Kiln. If you’re ever in Guernsey, look it up.

11 Pessimistic, optimistic or unsure about the future?

It’s hard to be optimistic with the endless coverage of the damage we do as a species to each other and the planet – but you have to hope, and have some faith, that there are more people trying to do good in the world than you might believe.

12 You can resurrect anyone from history and talk to them for an hour: who, and why?

Richard Nixon. Good stuff, bad stuff and why he chose cottage cheese as a treat before he resigned. A complex individual. An hour is probably not enough.

13 Favourite film?

Got loads, can’t pick just one. Hot Fuzz, Life of Brian and Withnail and I make me laugh. Watership Down is sad and beautiful and has made me cry since 1978.

14 If you didn’t work in housing, what would you do?

I’d work in a library. Or run a bookshop if I could. Not quite Black Books but possibly red wine would feature.

15 What makes for a good life?

Trying to make it count in some way.