The Value of Development Associates in Social Housing

By Tim West · 16 May 2025

The Value of Development Associates

Development is important for social housing, ensuring that communities have access to safe, affordable, and quality homes. The UK is facing a significant housing crisis, with over 1.2 million households on waiting lists and a record number of children in temporary accommodation. Recognising this, the government has set an ambitious target to deliver 1.5 million new homes within this Parliament, emphasising the need for affordable and social housing.

However, resourcing challenges, shifting priorities, and the increasing complexity of the development landscape can make it difficult to keep programmes on track. In this context, interim support can offer practical solutions, whether through short-term cover or longer-term transformation, by providing the expertise needed to sustain development momentum and meet strategic objectives.

Interim Support That Delivers Impact

We’ve supported numerous clients through interim assignments:

1. Kerry Smith – Development, Sales and Marketing Interim Support

Upon joining EMH, our associate Kerry Smith supported the team by managing development schemes from initial market research and viability stages, through to marketing and promoting the completed homes.  As a part of her role, Kerry attended pre-start meetings, on-site meetings, ensured homes were built to the correct sales specifications and standards and monitored estimated handover dates. She also commissioned show homes, signage and managed the marketing of homes to identify potential customers who were then supported through the buying process.

Kerry and the EMH team helped each customer to find their home, their way, making what they thought was impossible, possible. Kerry and the sales team provided on-going support and contact for customers throughout the entire process, including handing over the keys to the customer on completion day, which ensured a streamlined and effective process.

Kerry was responsible for updating and writing procedures for all areas across the team which included shared ownership, new model shared ownership, resales, rent to buy, market sale, mortgages, transfers and staircasing.

2. Chris Seeley – Interim Head of Delivery

To help Futures reach their target of 750 new homes over five years, we led a New Business team to source development opportunities across Amber Valley and Daventry. This included identifying land, S106 deals and land-led packages. We liaised with a wide network of agents, landowners and consultants to maximise viable options.

Early in the process, it became clear the original brief was too broad. A high rejection rate of schemes and slow progress prompted us to refine the brief through collaboration with housing management and maintenance teams. This strategic shift streamlined our searches and helped target viable sites that aligned better with operational priorities.

During this period, Chris Seeley, ARK’s Director of Development and Regeneration, also stepped into an interim role as Head of Delivery to provide essential cover while Futures’ lead officer was on leave. He focused on improving data accuracy for handover reporting and strengthened the interface between new business and delivery. Chris also led the successful completion of a complex scheme left in limbo after two contractors went into administration, which included:

• Diverting a wrongly positioned footpath
• Commissioning a pumping station
• Engineering works on a road embankment
• Securing outstanding S278, S38 and S104 agreements
• Completing and handing over the now fully occupied homes

Meet Our Development Associates

We’re proud to work with a talented team of professionals who bring extensive experience across the housing and development sector. Here are two of our current associates available for support:

Andrew Belton
Andrew offers 25 years’ experience across residential and commercial real estate management, sales and investment—both in the UK and internationally. His background spans Sales and Marketing, Finance, and Learning and Development, giving him a well-rounded and strategic skillset. Andrew’s expertise enables him to lead development projects from multiple angles and support clients with strong commercial acumen.

Shanaz Begum
Shanaz is a seasoned housing professional with over 25 years’ experience. She has held senior roles as a Land Director and Manager for national and regional developers and has also consulted for registered providers. Her expertise includes:

• Securing on- and off-market land
• Managing schemes from acquisition through to sales
• Strategic development and planning
• Regeneration, construction delivery, and property management

She is also experienced in board-level advisory roles and brings a deep understanding of affordable and private housing delivery across a range of tenures.

Need Interim Development Support?

Our development associates can step in quickly to meet resourcing gaps, provide expert leadership, or help you deliver strategic transformation. We also support recruitment and succession planning to ensure long-term capability in your development teams.

If you’d like to find out more about how we can help, please get in touch to discuss your needs.