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Andium Homes explains why working for the firm offers an exciting and rewarding career, while also supporting the community
NICOLA HAYWARD, HEAD OF SPECIALISED SERVICES
Where did you go to school and college?
I went to d’Hautrée and Haute Vallée. After completing my GCSEs, I attended Highlands College and studied advance health and social care. I then worked for two years at Rosewood House, St Saviour’s Hospital, as a healthcare assistant before attending Liverpool Hope University, where I studied health and psychology. I am working towards becoming a chartered member of the Institute of Housing.
I have worked for Andium Homes, formerly the States of Jersey Housing Department, since 2007.
What does your role involve?
My team has responsibility for safeguarding vulnerable clients and families who live in our homes and who may be experiencing harm or exploitation. We also support clients who have complex medical or social needs, are experiencing domestic abuse or going through a period of trauma within their life.
A fundamental part of this work is building trusting relationships with the clients and families we work with and ensuring that we use the principles of Making Safeguarding Personal in our approach. Another part of my role focuses on homelessness and homelessness prevention. This is a complex issue and one that must be tackled collaboratively with a wide range of organisations.
What do you enjoy most about your role?
We are extremely passionate about providing housing solutions for vulnerable members of our community and have delivered several projects which demonstrate this. In one such project, we worked with the Learning Disability Service, clients, and families to deliver ten homes for clients with complex medical, social and communication needs. Each client has their own home, their own tenancy agreement signed by their legally appointed delegate and their own package of support to live independently within the community.
Although my role can be very challenging at times, I feel extremely privileged to work with such a wide and varied group of clients and professionals. Every day is different. One day I can be liaising with the Children’s Social Care Team in relation to a family that we are supporting to working with a client who may have experienced a traumatic event in their life, resulting in self-neglect and putting themselves and others at risk.
What advice would you give to people wishing to pursue a career in health and social care?
My advice would be to find the area you are most passionate about and reach out to organisations and establish whether there are any opportunities to gain first-hand experience by volunteering or work placements. When I left university, I did not expect to have a career in social housing but I feel I have found my niche with the support of my colleagues.
Why would you recommend Andium as an employer?
Andium Homes is a company that is ever-changing, proactive and puts the client at the heart of everything we do. There are also fantastic opportunities for training, development and work experience within all aspects of the housing sector.
JONATHAN GOUGH, HEAD OF REGENERATION AND SUSTAINABILITY
Where did you go to school and university?
I was educated at Victoria College and Newcastle University. I graduated in 2007.
What qualifications do you have?
I took biology, economics and geography at A-level, then studied genetics at university. After some time working in general financial services – and some time playing cricket – I trained as a chartered accountant with Moore Stephens in Jersey and qualified through the Institute of Chartered Accountants England & Wales in 2013.
How has your career evolved since joining Andium?
I returned from London to Jersey in 2017 after working in the finance industry.
I started at Andium Homes in 2017, accepting a role working for the head of finance. The position was very appealing to me as there aren’t an abundance of exciting commercial accounting roles in the Island, and Andium’s plans certainly seemed ambitious. The role proved to be very interesting. I had a great team to work in, coupled with a supportive leadership group, which really allowed me to grow with the business.
In 2020, the head of finance, Lindsay Wood, was appointed finance director, which gave me the opportunity to take on the head of finance role. Since then, the business has continued to grow and evolve. It’s a small organisation in terms of headcount, which means everyone must roll up their sleeves and get their hands dirty, which has allowed me to be part of all sorts of large projects.
Andium Homes is a ‘tangible’ organisation where you can physically see our numerous properties and new developments, which makes me incredibly proud, even if I am still just an accountant. I have recently taken on a new role as head of regeneration and sustainability.
What are you most looking forward to in your new role as head of regeneration and sustainability?
Our environmental, social and governance strategy is in the final stages of development and working with the team to deliver this will be a key priority. Our business is a social business in its very nature. We are well governed and we have already taken several crucial steps to reduce the organisation’s emissions. I am excited to push ahead with this strategy and work with key stakeholders to ensure we’re aligned and able to increase the efficiency of our existing homes and deliver even more efficient new homes.
MICHAEL RUANE, HEAD OF PROPERTY AND ASSET MANAGEMENT
Where were you educated?
I was born and grew up in the Island and have always been interested in the built environment. I gained valuable experience working in a couple of local architectural practices while attending Grainville and Hautlieu schools before studying a degree in building surveying at Nottingham-Trent University.
What has your career journey been at Andium?
After graduating and returning to Jersey, I worked at a local surveyors’ practice before joining Andium Homes in 2011 before the incorporation. I originally started as a planned maintenance officer, gaining further experience and continuing my professional development to become a member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors. Following this I was promoted to head of property and asset management, a role which I have been in or the last five years.
Continued personal and professional development is important to any role and recently I became a chartered member of the Institute of Housing, and I am currently undertaking a management course to continue learning.
What does your role entail and what are you most proud of?
My role at Andium is extremely varied and often involves very rewarding projects for the benefit of the Island that are not often publicised to the public due to sensitivities to privacy. Considering the challenges faced as an organisation over the past six months, I am particularly proud of how our small but closeknit team has supported one another through a difficult time while maintaining a housing service to more than 10% of Jersey’s population.
Now that Andium, as a landlord, uses no fossil fuels, I am looking forward to shaping our sustainable future and am excited to work on projects that promote wellbeing with our clients as well as working to improve and enhance our external spaces to foster inclusivity, the community and play.
ELLIE WALTON, SALES AND LETTING AGENTS
What did you study and what has your career journey been to date?
I studied business, history and finance at Hautlieu. After studying for my A-levels, I was unsure about which career path I wanted to take, so I decided against university and went straight into the finance industry.
I worked in finance for three years in various roles and companies, but then I decided I wanted a change. I applied for the six-month sales and letting administrator role and started in January 2022. My contract was made permanent in July 2022. My role at Andium is a sales and lettings administrator. The job consists of signing clients up for rental properties, working with applicants on the Assisted Purchase Pathway from marketing the property for sale all the way through to the day of sale.
What do you enjoy most about your role?
I really enjoy the variation, as no two days are the same. I also love the satisfaction of working with families to purchase or rent a new home. During my time at Andium, I have assisted with allocating several capital transfer projects, including our new developments at Le Clos Couriard, Le Clos Mourant, Edinburgh House and Cyril Le Marquand Court.
What makes Andium such a special place to work?
Andium is a great place to work for young people, as it offers plenty of opportunity for growth and it’s nice to work somewhere where there is career progression. The social element at Andium is great; there is a good opportunity to chat with people in different sectors of the business. I feel very supported by my colleagues and love learning from them.
