In this episode of If I Had One WISH, Crystal and Lucy talk to Nicola Dibb, the inspirational co-founder of WISH (Women in Social Housing). They explore her experiences, career journey and the motivation which led to her to create a network for women working across the housing sector. Nicola shares the challenges she faced along the way; inspiring listeners with her dedication, enthusiasm and commitment – for work, for WISH and for doing the right thing.
Daniel Hewitt is an award-winning British journalist and Investigations Editor at ITV News. He previously served as a political correspondent and has become known for major investigations into social care, housing, public services, and government policy. His reporting has received significant industry recognition and contributed to public debate and policy scrutiny. He began his career with ITV regional news before moving into national reporting. In this episode, Crystal Hicks interviews Daniel about the critical issues in social housing, focusing on gendered experiences, policy failures, and the urgent need for increased social housing development. They explore how journalism can amplify these issues and what systemic changes are necessary.
Lee Chambers is the CEO and founder of Male Allies UK, an organization focused on engaging men in gender equity and inclusive workplace cultures. A business psychologist, speaker, and entrepreneur, he is widely recognized for his work on allyship, positive masculinity, and inclusion. He has received numerous honours, including Freedom of the City of London and UN Women Changemaker of the Year recognition. He also serves on several advisory and governance boards related to business and equality. In this episode, Crystal Hicks interviews Lee about male allyship, gender equality, and creating inclusive workplaces. Leigh shares his personal journey, insights on systemic biases, and practical ways to foster allyship for a more equitable society.
Ian Wright is the Founder and CEO of the Disruptive Innovators Network (DIN). He has more than 20 years of senior executive experience, including leadership roles in housing-sector performance and innovation organisations. His expertise includes organisational culture, leadership, customer experience, innovation, emerging technologies, and cross-sector collaboration. Through DIN, he helps housing and public-sector leaders learn from innovation practices across industries. In this episode, Crystal Hicks interviews Ian about innovation, equity, and the future of social housing. They explore how data, storytelling, and inclusive leadership can transform the sector.
James Carss is the Founder and Chief Executive of Castle Peak Group, an executive search and diversity-focused recruitment consultancy. With more than two decades of experience in executive search, he has worked internationally, including senior leadership roles across Greater China. He leads client engagements personally and is known for his focus on diversity, inclusion, leadership recruitment, and executive assessment. In this episode, Crystal Hicks interviews James Carss about diversity, equity, inclusion, and the role of men as allies in social housing and the broader sector. They explore strategies for increasing female leadership, the importance of authentic allyship, and how organizations can foster inclusive cultures.
Richard Blakeway has served as Housing Ombudsman for England since September 2019. Prior to this role, he was Deputy Mayor of London for Housing, chaired the Homes for London Board, and served as a non-executive director of Homes England. He is recognized for his work on housing policy, homelessness, tenant rights, and improving standards across the social housing sector. Under his leadership, the Housing Ombudsman Service has expanded its focus on accountability, complaint resolution, and resident protection. In this episode, Crystal Hicks interviews Richard about gender equity, tenant advocacy, and the role of male allyship in social housing. They explore how organisational culture, communication, and leadership can drive positive change and address biases
In this episode, Crystal Hicks interviews Jeff Joseph about social value, gender equity, and community-led regeneration in social housing. They explore how data, empathy, and innovative programs can create meaningful impact for women and communities.
In this episode of the If I Had One Wish podcast, host Crystal Hicks speaks with Polly Neate, former chief executive of Shelter, about the complexities of homelessness, particularly as it affects women. They discuss the challenges women face in homelessness, the importance of language in addressing these issues, and the need for a shift in public perception. Polly shares insights on the role of social housing and the progress made in the sector, while also highlighting the ongoing challenges and the need for data-driven solutions to better understand and meet the needs of women in housing.
In this episode of the If I Had One Wish podcast, Crystal Hicks and Jen Radcliffe engage with Laura Wood, founder of Invisible Creations, to discuss the importance of inclusive design in housing. Laura shares her personal journey and the inspiration behind her work, emphasizing the need for dignity and safety in home adaptations. The conversation explores gender perspectives in housing design, the blind spots in traditional approaches, and the impact of proactive design on women's lives. Laura advocates for a shift in the housing sector towards mainstreaming accessibility and inclusive design as standard practice.
In this episode of the If I Had One Wish podcast, host Crystal Hicks engages in a profound conversation with Tracy Downey, CEO of Women's Pioneer Housing. They discuss the historical context and mission of Women's Pioneer Housing, emphasizing the importance of a gendered approach in housing design and policies. Tracy shares insights on the challenges faced by women in the housing sector, the significance of women's voices in shaping policies, and the need for organizations to address women's health and wellbeing in the workplace. The episode culminates in a wish for a more gender-focused lens in housing development to enhance safety for women and the community at large.
In this episode of the If I Had One Wish podcast, host Crystal Hicks speaks with Hannah Underwood, founder of How Might We and vice chair of the Virgin Money Foundation. They discuss the importance of applying a gendered lens to data in social housing, the need for curiosity in decision-making, and the role of community engagement in understanding tenant satisfaction. Hannah shares her insights on the challenges and opportunities within the housing sector, emphasizing the need for better data practices and collaboration to improve outcomes for women and marginalized groups.
In this episode of the If I Had One Wish podcast, host Jayne Entwistle interviews Crystal Hicks, the president of WISH, about her career journey in the housing sector, her role as president, and the impactful See Her campaign. Crystal shares insights on balancing work and family life, the importance of community support, and advice for the next generation. She emphasizes the need for the housing sector to rediscover its purpose and the significance of women's equality in the industry.
Summary In this episode of the If I Had One Wish podcast, Crystal & Helen engage with Tracy Harrison, CEO of the Northern Housing Consortium, discussing the current state and future of housing in the North. They explore the importance of regeneration, the need for a positive workplace culture, and the role of female leadership in driving change. The conversation emphasizes collaboration among housing organizations and the necessity of innovative strategies to ensure equitable housing solutions for all.
In this episode of the If I Had One Wish podcast, Crystal Hicks and co-host Honey Premial engage in a profound conversation with Bishop Guli Francis-Dehqani, who shares her inspiring journey from being a refugee from Iran to becoming a prominent leader in the Church of England. The discussion delves into the pressing housing crisis in the UK, the implications of the Coming Home Report, and the Church's role in addressing these challenges. Bishop Guli emphasizes the importance of community, collaboration, and a long-term strategy to tackle housing issues, while also sharing her experiences in the House of Lords and her vision for the future of housing in the UK.
In this episode of the 'If I Had One Wish' podcast, Crystal Hicks and Vikki Kirkwood engage with Grania Long, Chief Executive of the Ireland Housing Executive, discussing her journey into social housing, the challenges faced in the sector, and the importance of child protection. Grania shares insights on the current state of homelessness in Northern Ireland, the need for community building, and her optimistic vision for the future of social housing as a vital infrastructure. The conversation emphasizes the interconnectedness of housing, social issues, and the necessity for ongoing collaboration and learning within the sector.
In this episode of the If I Had One Wish podcast, Crystal Hicks and Michelle Donovan engage with Gera, a seasoned professional in the social housing sector. Gera shares her journey into social housing, the challenges faced by women in leadership roles, and the importance of recruitment in finding change agents within the sector. The conversation also touches on the significance of equity, diversity, and inclusion in social housing, and concludes with Gera's wishes for the future of the sector, emphasising the need for women to seize opportunities and for the sector to reflect on its leadership representation.
In this episode of 'If I Had One Wish', host Crystal Hicks speaks with Viki Fox, a policy and participation manager at Cyrenians and a trustee of Crisis and St. Martin's. Viki shares her personal journey through homelessness, her professional experiences in the sector, and her insights on the current state of homelessness in Scotland. The conversation highlights the importance of lived experience in shaping policies, the need for collaboration between housing and homelessness sectors, and the critical role of prevention in addressing homelessness.
In today's episode Crystal is joined by Hannah Locke from our WISH Midlands Board. Crystal and Hannah are in conversation with Lara Oyedele. As an ex-president of CIH and CEO of Black on Board, Lara is an advocate for diversity and inclusion. Lara talks through her journey from being homeless to becoming a powerful voice in the sector. Lara's campaign as President of CIH 'In Her Shoes' was a catalyst for positive change in the sector, however in this episode we explore the work we still have to do including understanding the drive behind Black on Board, Lara's strategic response in the wake of the 2020 Black Lives Matter movement.
Join Crystal and Chair of WISH South West, Sinead Lee in conversation with Tracey McEachran, the first President for WISH. In this episode, Tracey reflects on her time with WISH, the differences she has seen and the opportunities for future growth. Crystal and Sinead delve into the heart of Tracey's 'Hear Her Voice' campaign and the events that triggered it and how this is a problem for everyone. Tracey educates us on the importance of using our right sided brain, and the criticality of becoming our true selves.
In this episode Crystal is joined by Sarah Schofield from our North Wales Board. Crystal and Sarah talk with Aileen Evans - as retired CEO of Grand Union, and ex-president of CIH, Aileen talks us through the change from aspirations as an orchestra musician, to a truly influential leader in our sector. Aileen is an advocate for mental health, and her CIH campaign 'Shine A Light' puts a focus on how the mental health of our customers and colleagues is perceived. In this episode, we look at Aileen's personal experiences and how together we can raise the sectors game on mental health.
Past-President of the Chartered Institute of Housing, Jill is a force for good in the housing sector. We dig into her 'Be EPIC' campaign in this episode, as well as her work advocating for veterans experiencing homelessness. Jill gives an authentic view of her experiences of the housing sector, how it has changed and where we need to go next.
