Interim Roles Can Make The Difference For Housing Organisations In 2025

By Helen Scurr · 2 January 2025

The UK’s social housing sector is undergoing seismic shifts, with significant changes to legislation and regulatory requirements arriving in 2025 and beyond. For housing associations and local authorities, adapting to these new demands is critical, yet challenging—especially when faced with constrained long-term budgets and growing operational pressures.

One increasingly valuable solution is to bring in experienced interim professionals who can provide targeted expertise and deliver transformative outcomes within a short timeframe.

Interims offer a flexible and effective way for organisations to meet pressing needs, achieve compliance, and improve services without the long-term commitment of permanent hires. ARK’s network of interim associates can help housing providers navigate these challenges and thrive in a rapidly evolving landscape.

Meeting Immediate Challenges with Specialist Knowledge

With the introduction of the new Regulator of Social Housing (RSH) Consumer Standards in 2024, housing providers must ensure their practices align with updated expectations around safety, transparency, and community engagement. Interims can step in to provide much-needed expertise in implementing these standards effectively.

For example:

  • Safety and Quality Compliance: An interim professional with experience in building safety could oversee critical safety assessments and data collection projects, ensuring properties meet the new Safety and Quality Standard. This might include coordinating fire risk assessments, ensuring robust data systems are in place, and implementing new maintenance schedules to address outstanding issues proactively.
  • Resident Engagement Programmes: An interim could bring their experience of setting up effective resident engagement initiatives in another local authority. By applying lessons learned from previous successes and challenges, they can create tailored programmes that involve residents in decision-making and improve transparency. Once the programme is running successfully, they can train permanent staff to manage it going forward.

A picture of Helen Scurr with a quote from the article: 'One of the key advantages of interim professionals is their ability to deliver high-impact work within short-term funding constraints.'

Delivering Transformational Projects Without Long-Term Commitments

Interims excel at driving specific projects that require specialist expertise, delivering tangible results within defined timeframes. This makes them an ideal solution for initiatives where organisations lack in-house capacity or the project’s nature does not justify a permanent role.

Consider these examples:

  • Retrofitting High-Rise Properties: With increasing pressure to meet decarbonisation targets, many housing providers are embarking on retrofit projects to improve energy efficiency. An interim with experience in retrofit management could oversee the installation of insulation and solar panels across a scheme of high-rise properties, ensuring compliance with building regulations and minimising disruption to residents. Once the project is complete, the interim can hand over a well-documented process for ongoing maintenance.
  • Data System Overhaul: Many organisations are still struggling with outdated data systems that hinder their ability to comply with the new RSH Consumer Standards. An interim IT specialist could lead the implementation of an integrated data management system, helping to centralise critical information on property conditions, tenant interactions, and maintenance schedules. They can also train staff to use the system effectively, leaving the organisation better equipped for the future.

Cost-Effective Solutions in Tight Budgetary Environments

One of the key advantages of interim professionals is their ability to deliver high-impact work within short-term funding constraints. While permanent hires represent a significant financial commitment, interims provide a cost-effective solution that allows organisations to allocate resources flexibly.

For instance, a housing association might have access to a one-year funding stream aimed at improving resident safety. By hiring an interim with experience in safety compliance, the organisation can achieve measurable improvements—such as completing a portfolio-wide fire safety audit and implementing new procedures—without the need for a long-term salary commitment. This approach maximises the value of short-term funding while addressing immediate priorities.

ARK’s Interim Expertise for Housing Organisations

ARK Consultancy’s extensive network of interim associates includes professionals with deep expertise in areas such as compliance, asset management, resident engagement, and organisational development. These associates bring not only technical skills, but also valuable insights gained from working across diverse organisations and challenges. This breadth of experience allows them to quickly identify opportunities for improvement and implement best practices that drive lasting change.

Building Organisational Capacity for the Future

One of the most significant benefits of engaging interim professionals is the opportunity to build internal capacity. By sharing their knowledge and skills with permanent staff, interims ensure their impact extends beyond their tenure.

For example, an interim project manager tasked with improving tenant support services might design and implement a new process for identifying at-risk tenants and providing targeted interventions. Alongside delivering immediate results, they can train staff to maintain and enhance the programme, embedding the improvements into the organisation’s long-term operations.

Conclusion

As the social housing sector faces growing pressures and evolving expectations, interim expertise offers a vital lifeline for organisations seeking to navigate change effectively. Whether addressing compliance challenges, driving transformative projects, or building internal capacity, interims provide a flexible and impactful solution that delivers real value.

At ARK Consultancy, we understand the unique challenges facing housing providers and the importance of tailored, high-quality support. Our interim associates bring a wealth of experience and a commitment to delivering meaningful outcomes for the sector. If your organisation needs expert support to meet its goals in 2025 and beyond, ARK’s interim services can help you.

By Helen Scurr, Director at ARK Consultancy. Contact us today to find out how our Interim experts can help your organisation.

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