The celebrations were in full swing at Housing 21’s headquarters, Tricorn House as Chief Executive Bruce Moore presented the graduating students from the Housing Academy with their certificates. 

The flagship pilot initiative is an 18-month programme designed to support operational employees in progressing into senior leadership roles at Housing 21 whilst working in their existing roles. All students achieved a Level 4 Senior Housing and Property Management Apprenticeship through the Chartered Institute of Housing.

(Pictured: The Housing Academy graduates with Housing 21’s Chief Executive, Bruce Moore.)

Two of the students enrolled onto the programme successfully secured Regional Extra Care Manager roles with Housing 21.  

The programme was open to employees in Retirement Living and Extra Care roles, including Local Housing Managers, Regional Administrators, and Business Improvement Officers.

Zoheb Akhtar, Regional Co-Ordinator at Housing 21 said: “The Housing Academy helped me to meet people from across the organisation and to enhance my skillset as part of my current role.

“It was a great opportunity to build my confidence; I would recommend this experience to anyone who may be considering joining.”

Housing 21 continues to invest in colleagues by creating opportunities that support development and career progression to retain valuable knowledge and experience across the organisation.

The programme provided tailored training in leadership, housing legislation, and operational excellence. Each participant was paired with a dedicated mentor—an experienced Operations Manager or Regional Extra Care Manager from within Housing 21—offering personalised support throughout their development journey.

Zoey Stanton, Regional Operations Manager at Housing 21 said: “I loved being involved in the Housing Academy as mentor, it was an honour to be asked to share my expertise from the housing sector with the students.”

By combining technical learning with mentorship, the programme has equipped participants with the knowledge, confidence, and skills needed to take the next step in their careers.

Anthony Kennedy, Leadership Development Manager at Housing 21 said: "The Housing Academy is a reflection of our commitment to growing talent from within the organisation and creating clear career pathways.

“We’re incredibly proud of what this first cohort has achieved and look forward to seeing how they progress in their careers.”

As the organisation continues to build a future-ready workforce, initiatives like this form a key part of Housing 21’s long-term strategy to invest in its people and promote progression at every level. Earlier this year, the first cohort graduated from the Extra Care Academy, the industry-first training programme designed to help Care Workers progress into management roles.