Meet the Team: Lesley Smith
What’s your name?
Lesley Smith
Where do you work and what do you do?
I work at CHC as a Learning and Development Officer.
Why did you choose a career in housing?
It wasn’t something I had been looking for, nor something I had even thought about. My background is training and the job description and the information I read about CHC felt like a good fit for me.
What is the most important thing you have you learned since starting your career in housing?
That there are so many opportunities to develop your skills and progress your career within the sector. Also that housing associations do so much more than I had realised!
Where would you be working, if not in housing?
Probably teaching at a primary or comprehensive school.
What’s your favourite part of the job?
I am a people person and mostly enjoy meeting our members at events or developing relationships with our commercial members.
What motivates you?
In work - recognising the growth potential of CHC’s Business Development team.
How do you relax after work?
It depends what time I get home but I usually just read or watch TV, I also like to eat out a lot. On the weekend there will usually be wine and time spent with family.
What’s your greatest achievement?
Through teaching - increasing the confidence and skills of a group of young people who were deemed ‘the naughty kids’ and who felt abandoned by the education system.
Your most embarrassing moment?
Getting stuck in a kiddie ride in Mothercare after deciding to sit in it because I was hungover.
What was your last holiday destination and what did you think of it?
I went on a tour – Niagra Falls (Canada), Washington, New Jersey and New York. Whilst I really enjoyed visiting Niagra Falls in Canada (it was beautiful) and parts of America – particularly Gettysburg, I thought New York was completely overrated.
Lesley Smith
Where do you work and what do you do?
I work at CHC as a Learning and Development Officer.
Why did you choose a career in housing?
It wasn’t something I had been looking for, nor something I had even thought about. My background is training and the job description and the information I read about CHC felt like a good fit for me.
What is the most important thing you have you learned since starting your career in housing?
That there are so many opportunities to develop your skills and progress your career within the sector. Also that housing associations do so much more than I had realised!
Where would you be working, if not in housing?
Probably teaching at a primary or comprehensive school.
What’s your favourite part of the job?
I am a people person and mostly enjoy meeting our members at events or developing relationships with our commercial members.
What motivates you?
In work - recognising the growth potential of CHC’s Business Development team.
How do you relax after work?
It depends what time I get home but I usually just read or watch TV, I also like to eat out a lot. On the weekend there will usually be wine and time spent with family.
What’s your greatest achievement?
Through teaching - increasing the confidence and skills of a group of young people who were deemed ‘the naughty kids’ and who felt abandoned by the education system.
Your most embarrassing moment?
Getting stuck in a kiddie ride in Mothercare after deciding to sit in it because I was hungover.
What was your last holiday destination and what did you think of it?
I went on a tour – Niagra Falls (Canada), Washington, New Jersey and New York. Whilst I really enjoyed visiting Niagra Falls in Canada (it was beautiful) and parts of America – particularly Gettysburg, I thought New York was completely overrated.