Tom Leon-Grimes, winner of the 2022 Housing’s Next Generation competition, offers some advice for young housing professionals looking to advance their career.

I started my career in the social housing sector as an apprentice at the age of 16. I worked in frontline housing and lettings before moving into data analysis, project management and strategic leadership roles. Over 12 years, I was fortunate to work on initiatives that directly impacted people’s lives, ensuring access to safe and affordable housing. This experience was incredibly fulfilling and reinforced my passion for the sector.

As my career progressed, I found that opportunities for operational leadership roles were limited. I knew I wanted to develop my skills, take on more responsibility, and contribute to the sector in a more strategic capacity, but finding that next step wasn’t easy.

Through the mist of the continued job search, an unexpected opportunity arose. I was headhunted by a private property management company for the role of associate director of operations.

Initially, I was hesitant about moving to the private sector because I deeply valued social impact and customer-focused work, and I was worried that I’d lose the ability to bring this focus to the fore in a private company. However, the role was precisely what I’d been looking for, so I took the opportunity to interview for the role and find out more about the company’s culture and ambitions.

I was thrilled to have been offered the role, and I’m pleased to say that my fears were unfounded. We have the same passion for customer-focused services as the social housing sector, which I’m very pleased to see and uphold.

“Don’t be discouraged by the traditional expectations of experience for a role. Instead, focus on showcasing your unique experiences, passion, drive and the perspectives you can bring”

This opportunity has not only allowed me to grow professionally but also reinforced my belief in the importance of providing opportunities to individuals based on their potential and drive. Growth and innovation often come from embracing new perspectives and talent, regardless of age.

To other young housing professionals seeking career progression, I’d advise you to stay curious and open to new opportunities. Don’t be discouraged by the traditional expectations of experience for a role. Instead, focus on showcasing your unique experiences, passion, drive and the perspectives you can bring. An example of this could be applying for HQN’s Housing’s Next Generation competition. I took part in this in 2022 and it was a fantastic experience – and I’m not just saying that because I won it!

It’s important for you to have a clear vision of where you see yourself in the future. You don’t necessarily need to know as far as three to five years ahead (despite this being a common interview question), but having your mind set on what you enjoy doing, what you want to do more of and, importantly, why you want to do it will help you navigate your way forward. I also benefited from having a fantastic mentor who I looked up to and was able to speak with freely and explore my development.

Be proactive in your own professional development and don’t hesitate to apply for jobs and put yourself out there. Taking those steps, even if they seem small (or big) at the time, can guide you toward your ultimate aspirations. I once applied for a job, that I knew I really wanted, five times before they offered me the role! I could have given up, but I knew it was where I needed to take my career.

Ultimately, enjoy your journey. Aim high and don’t be too hard on yourself if it takes a little while to get there. It will happen – if you really want it to.

If you ever want to chat anything through with me, I’d be more than happy to! Just drop me a message on LinkedIn.