Croydon welcomes Susmita Sen as its new corporate director of housing

Croydon Council has appointed Susmita Sen to the role of corporate director of housing, in the latest round of its senior management recruitment.

As London’s second most populous borough, housing is one of the most vital services the council provides to its residents. Susmita takes on this role at a crucial time in the council’s journey to address the significant challenges in the housing service.

The new corporate director will lead on Croydon’s housing improvement plan, ensuring high standards across housing allocations, repairs and development and most importantly listening to residents. Susmita will also work closely with the independently chaired Housing Improvement Board to ensure the delivery of the improvement plan.

Susmita will be instrumental in demonstrating the housing service’s unwavering commitment to putting residents first. This will involve undertaking a whole service review, informed by meaningful engagement with council tenants, leaseholders and freeholders to deliver housing improvements in the short, medium and long-term.

The role is also responsible for the council’s preventative approach to homelessness, private sector enforcement and wider housing infrastructure projects.

Susmita takes up her new position with an impressive track record of social housing leadership across London, having held roles covering Ealing, Hackney and Hillingdon. She joins Croydon after a successful six year stint as chief executive for Tower Hamlets Homes, responsible for 22,000 council homes across the borough.

Susmita said: “This is an exciting time to join Croydon and its new executive team as we work to right ongoing challenges and make a huge difference to local communities. I plan to listen closely to residents as we shape and strengthen the housing service to deliver on their behalf.

“No council service can be seen in isolation and I look forward to working with Croydon’s diverse stakeholders and workforce to take forward the council’s overall renewal vision. I would like to take this opportunity to assure tenants, leaseholders and all residents of my firm commitment to working collaboratively to deliver much improved services.”

Councillor Hamida Ali, Leader of the Council, said: “Improving the condition of our housing and the service we deliver to our council residents is one of the council’s top priorities.

“Susmita’s significant experience and resident engagement background mean she will make a big impact leading the much-needed change our residents rightly need to see.”

2022-02-23T14:34:42+00:00 February 23rd, 2022|Recent news|