Life in 15 questions

A life in 15 questions

Clare Budden

The Chief Executive of ClwydAlyn tells us about her most treasured possession, some things you may not know about her and what book she would recommend!

1. Tell us about your career and how you ended up in your current role

I’ve worked in housing and local government all of my career – I’ve worked in three councils, two Liverpool housing associations, a stock transfer and a traditional. Along the way I’ve also gained lots of board experience including chair of a social enterprise and being a member of the Housing Action Group, established by Welsh Government, which produced reports on how to end homelessness in Wales.

I’m also a member (and housing representative) of the Transformation Advisory Board, advising the CEO of the NHS in Wales on progress in, and plans to deliver, “A Healthier Wales”.

I’m in my dream job now at ClwydAlyn and feel privileged to be a CEO.

I chose to work in housing as I know how important a safe and secure home is; and how difficult life can be if you don’t have that.

2. Describe yourself in three words

Not quite three words – I’m trusting, driven and ‘listen first’.

3. What would you change about yourself?

If I could change one thing it would be to slow down more, especially in the current climate when I think we’re all experiencing challenges in our organisations (and personal lives); and I know my desire to improve at pace can be exhausting for my team to work with at times.

4. Favourite place on earth?

I’m a proud Welsh girl and so my favourite place in the world has to be beautiful North Wales – I love spending time walking by the water and in the mountains.

5. Describe your home

My home is always mad busy – I’ve got four grown up kids/girlfriends/ dogs – but it’s homely too! I’m lucky: I have a garden and live quite rural with loads of good walks right outside the door.

6. What makes you angry?

Inequality! That’s why I’m passionate about tackling poverty, our core mission at ClwydAlyn. Our aim is to enable everyone in North Wales to have a great home, in the place they want to be; which they can afford to heat well; where they can afford food to stay healthy; can access the internet; and can have purpose through work/education or volunteering (just a few small goals!!).

7. Best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?

Take time to really understand the problem you want to sort before starting – I’ve learnt through good advice and guidance that taking time to really understand the challenge before moving to solutions is so important.

8. Most treasured possession

My mother-in-law’s wedding and engagement ring. (Yes: mother-inlaw. Wasn’t I lucky?)

9. If you won £1m on the Lottery, what would you spend it on?

I’ve never bought a ticket but if I did…maybe I’d buy all the kids a house (so they leave ours) and I’d also open a community pub/ café in our village to get people together.

10. Biggest achievement?

Producing four fantastic people.

11. Biggest regret?

Not being brave enough to set up my own business so far…

12. Most overused phrase?

Dunno – you’d have to ask others. I’d like to think it’s ‘thank you’ (but we always want to believe we’re being the best we can be, don’t we?).

13. Recommend a book

Most recently it’s Darren Mcgarvey’s Poverty Safari. My long-standing favourite is Nelson Mandela’s Long Walk to Freedom.

14. The best piece of television in the last 12 months?

Silent Witness.

15. Tell us a secret about yourself

I don’t really have any! But lesser known things are that I’ve got a motorbike license and a tattoo!