Introducing new trustee Kevin Griffiths
Kevin is one of our newest trustees and brings with him 25 years’ experience of working in the housing sector.
Why did you want to become a trustee for Hammersmith United Charities?
I spent six years working in the borough and five years living here. It’s a very vibrant, fun place to live and work. Hammersmith is a real melting pot, with a huge spread of faiths and cultures.
However, there’s also a lot of deprivation here, and typical inner-city problems around homelessness and poor-quality accommodation, which is often right next to multi-million-pound properties. It’s hugely unfair. HUC helps to provide some balance and support for people who need it. I love what the charity does and admire the fact that they’ve been supporting the people of Hammersmith for 400 years.
What do you bring to the HUC board?
I’ve been working in construction for 25 years, mainly as a quantity surveyor. For the last 15 years, I’ve worked on social housing for Hammersmith & Fulham Council and other local councils. I’m currently General Manager at Fortem Solutions; I deliver repairs and maintenance frameworks for local authorities and registered providers.
I understand the issues the housing sector is facing, such as complying with the Building Safety Act. Compliance procedures are frequently being changed at the moment, which puts pressure on landlords and other housing providers. I feel my experience will be useful to HUC, providing the team with additional capacity and insights.
So you’re particularly interested in the almshouse side of HUC?
Yes. My first home as an adult was a former almshouse in Dunstable, near Luton. I lived there for almost five years. I hadn’t really appreciated what almshouses were before then or why they were so needed.
So, years later, when I heard about HUC, I looked into the charity and realised that it’s doing fabulous work, helping the people who most need support. Ultimately, I want people to have safe homes to live in.
What do you do in your spare time?
I’m studying for a Master’s, which takes up a lot of my time outside work. I also enjoy a round of golf and generally being outdoors when I get the chance. I did the Three Peaks challenge last year. However, I have two children, aged four and five, so most of my free time is spent with them. Family comes first.
Find out more
- Read more about our trustees