Chair’s report

Chairman’s Foreword

By Dipesh J. Shah, OBE Chairman, Genesis Housing Association

I am delighted to be presenting the 2016/17 Annual Report and the Financial Statements. In doing so, I wish to place on record my thanks to Charles Gurassa, the previous Chairman of Genesis, for his leadership at a time of great change for the organisation. Alongside Neil Hadden and his senior colleagues, he helped deliver a new and better Genesis. Thanks also to Colette O’Shea, who also left the Board last year due to work commitments.

This is my first report as the new Chairman of Genesis Housing Association, and the reporting year 2016/17 offers much in the way of activity, improvement and work of which we are justly proud. It coincided with a challenging external landscape – both in terms of UK politics and policy and within the housing association sector itself. And, while it did not occur in the reporting year, an appalling tragedy has caused many deaths and will lead to changes in house-building and investment for years to come. Grenfell will stand the test of time as a truly defining moment. We owe it to those who died, were injured or were bereaved to play our part in responding properly and with care. A new style provider for the digital age – that is an appropriate title of this Annual Report and Financial Statements because it is also our vision as an organisation, as set out in our five-year Corporate Strategy. Adopted by my Board colleagues, it takes us to 2020 and will see a transformation in our customer service approach, with a widening of ways customers can get what they need or want from us. That Corporate Strategy has set ambitious targets too on new homes built, many of which will be affordable. We are yet to reach the levels of new home output that the Board wants to see, but are reassured by the pipeline and on-site numbers. We have invested record amounts in repairs and maintenance over the financial year, which – alongside sheer hard work by staff - has helped significantly improve customer service performance indicators. Our Care and Support business has done well. Temporary housing too remains an important part of our offer, but market conditions make it an increasingly challenging prospect. I am proud also to report on another very strong year for our corporate social responsibility programmes and social and economic regeneration schemes. These really do matter. You can read about our achievements in this sphere on page 16. I want to finish this foreword as I started – by thanking people who I have not known long but who have made a real impression. First, to my fellow Board members for welcoming me to the role of Chair. I look forward to working with them in the time ahead, especially as we embark on our merger journey with Notting Hill Housing. The proposal seeks to create a new and influential organisation bringing the best of both together to build something new, and I know my Board colleagues will scrutinise and strengthen the work we must do to launch the new entity successfully. Second, to Neil Hadden and his Executive and Senior Leadership Team colleagues for their navigation of Genesis through a challenging 12 months. And of course, to all Genesis staff and volunteers for the superb work each of them does each day on behalf our valued customers. I hope you enjoy reading this Annual Report and Financial Statements.

“A new style provider for the digital age – that is an appropriate title of this Annual Report and Financial Statements because it is also our vision as an organisation”