Catalyst Housing Group and TLC build business through structural reform
From creating special needs and residential accommodation for vulnerable individuals to regenerating thriving communities, Catalyst Housing Group (CHG) works with local authorities to provide 16,000 affordable homes in the South East.
Due to rising property prices and a recession, the need for affordable housing in the UK has never been greater. CHG has therefore embarked upon an ambitious growth plan that aims to increase its housing stock by a further 4,000 homes in just three years. It has engaged organisational talent development company TLC to help it achieve those aims.
Integrated components improve leadership and collaboration
CHG identified the need to move away from operating as a hierarchically structured organisation where leadership rested only with the top team. It recognised that, to deliver a tough business agenda, the capacity and capability for leadership had to be extended to middle managers. This would improve teamwork and collaboration and lead to greater efficiency and responsibility within the organisation.
TLC designed a specific leadership programme with a number of critical and integrated components. An online ‘360’ feedback tool provided the direction necessary to set personal objectives. Leadership workshops then addressed the collective needs emerging from the 360 process. Following this, TLC facilitated conferences for the 60 leaders involved to initiate and drive change at the organisational level – drawing on learning from the other elements of the programme.
CHG is now performing far more successfully as a company. Judith Foss, Head of Human Resources at CHG, says “TLC’s unique mix of organisational development expertise and psychological understanding has brought us better teamwork, greater efficiency and increased production. Employees are also willing and better able to take on more responsibility.”
Following this initial success CHG plans to extend the same programme to 30% more managers in the coming months. This will bolster efficiency even further at the company so that its affordable housing schemes can be brought to even more communities across the UK in the future.