A life in 15 questions Chan Kataria CEO, emh
1. Tell us about your career and how you ended up in your current role After leaving university, I decided to do something with a social purpose. After some temporary jobs, I started life on the frontline of a local authority housing department, working with homeless people and others in housing need. After seven years in numerous roles, including senior allocations officer, neighbourhood manager and area manager, I left the council and worked with various housing providers. Along with way, I picked up a housing professional qualification and an MBA. Over the years, I’ve worked for East Midlands Housing Association, Charnwood Forest HA, Friendship Care and Housing, and Places for People. I ended up back at East Midlands Housing as CEO in 2004. 2. Describe yourself in three words Calm, determined, values-led. 3. Favourite place on earth? Udaipur, India. Whilst backpacking across India in 1994, my partner and I stopped for a few days in the socalled ‘White City’. With its hotel in the lake and serene atmosphere, it was a much needed peaceful retreat after the hustle and bustle of the big cities. I’d like to go again sometime. 4. Describe your home I live in a 1930s Art Deco house with lots of character, including a
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HOUSING QUALITY MAGAZINE MARCH 2022
10. Biggest regret? Should have travelled a bit more before getting into the worlds of work, mortgage and parenthood.
Rayburn, high ceilings and large garden plot. I love the house but, on the downside, it’s not particularly energy efficient. 5. What would you change about yourself? Wish I had fewer grey hairs! 6. What makes you angry? Street homelessness, food banks and removal of universal credit support. Why we must live with such manifestations of disadvantage in one of the richest countries is beyond me! 7. Most treasured possession My first car, a turquoise Datsun 120Y. It was falling apart at the best of times, the engine was changed at least once and the paint was always peeling off. But it ran like a dream, and I loved it so much. 8. Best piece of advice you’ve ever been given? Don’t give up. If something is important to you, fight for it and make sure it happens. 9. Biggest achievement? Achieving a second Dan black belt in Karate was the biggest achievement. Never have I been knocked about so much and felt so good!
11. If you won £1 million on the Lottery, what would you spend it on? Helping my children to buy a home each, travel anywhere for a few weeks, and donate some to my favourite charities. 12. Most overused phrase? ‘For the avoidance of any doubt…’. 13. Recommend a book Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy. I love the collection of John Le Carre’s books featuring George Smiley and his adversary, Karla. These books are atmospheric and the way they capture the suspicion and skulduggery between the protagonists in the days of the Cold War is a joy to read. 14. The best piece of television in the last 12 months? The Blair Brown Years. This laid bare the ins and outs of a decade in which Blair won three elections, achieved a lot, but will be remembered for his relationship problems with the guy next door at number 11 and, of course, the disastrous Iraq War! 15. Tell us a secret about yourself I don’t like snakes, I do like Mondays and I have the biggest affliction of the phenomenon known as imposter syndrome!
