Charlotte Olver, Vistry Group’s Head of Social Value, has been shortlisted in the Woman of the Year category. Charlotte has led the delivery of the Group’s nationwide Skills Academies - innovative training programmes designed to encourage more people into construction, whilst combatting the skills shortage affecting the industry. To date, more than 8,000 live-site experience workshop weeks and community engagement programmes have been held, meaning 3,000 community members have benefitted from an Academy. Since the first one opened in Plymouth in 2017, Charlotte has now overseen 13 Academies, with six more planned in the next 12 months alone.

Meanwhile, Farrah Hussain, a Senior Development Manager for Countryside Partnerships’ London East region, has been shortlisted in the Professional of the Year category. Over the past year, Farrah has been committed to maximising land density in urban areas and delivering high quality homes, accessible public spaces, and the infrastructure and facilities required for long-term sustainable communities where residents will be happy to live. Farrah also led a £245m agreement with L&Q and Be First for the delivery of 936 homes; one of the largest single transactions in Countryside’s history, which required the navigation of complex negotiations to reach completion.

These prestigious awards, organised by Inside Housing, celebrate the leaders, innovators and changemakers across the sector, championing the successes of women and sharing learning from teams and individuals within the housing sector. The awards ceremony will be held in Manchester in June.

Congratulations to both women on this outstanding achievement.