Speaking out in the housing sector comes at a price—a price that both my guest and I know all too well. In this episode, I sit down with Lara Oyedele, a veteran of the UK housing sector and a former president of the Chartered Institute of Housing, to explore the real cost of challenging the status quo.
Lara shares her experience as CEO of Black on Board, how she was blacklisted by the Chartered Institute of Housing, and why she remains committed to speaking out and advocating for change. We discuss the systemic issues that continue to hold the sector back, particularly when it comes to diversity in leadership and governance.
🏡 Key Topics:
🔹 The consequences of calling out injustices in housing
🔹 Why housing association boards remain overwhelmingly white, older, and privileged
🔹 How recruitment processes reinforce a leadership echo chamber
🔹 The lasting impact of Grenfell Tower—what’s changed (or hasn’t)
🔹 The barriers to real inclusivity and representation in decision-making
Housing is about people, yet the decisions shaping the sector are still made by a narrow and privileged group. If we want to see real progress, we need leaders who reflect the communities they serve—and we must be willing to confront the uncomfortable truths standing in the way of change.
💬 Have you faced backlash for speaking up in the housing sector? Let’s start a conversation in the comments.
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