In the news

Making the case for housing - Establishing the wider benefits of good housing is critical to meeting the challenges faced by the sector, says David Williams (Campbell Tickell Associate). Published in Inside Housing 13 December 2011.

http://www.insidehousing.co.uk/regulation/the-secret-diary-of-a-chief-exec/6517802.article - They may earn mega-bucks but with great power comes great responsibility. Katie Puckett finds out what it's like to be a housing sector boss - and turns to James Tickell of CT for his views. Published in Inside Housing, 16 September 2011.

Joined up society - Writing in Inside Housing, Greg Campbell considers the political response to the August 2011 riots - and finds it wanting. "I fear that the principal result of the riots is likely to be a bonanza for the private security industry, rather than a serious attempt to understand the problem ... We have an underclass in Britain, a lumpenproletariat that does not recognise or engage with the rest of society. It is no use ‘community leaders' sounding off about the rioters damaging their communities. The people concerned plainly have no interest in and do not recognise these communities, much less feel a part of them ... How do we bring people back into the fold, how do we make them feel they have a stake in society, how do we make them give a damn?"

Outside View: Housing′s Cultural Revolution - James Tickell writes for Riverview, Riverside's acclaimed newsletter, in the Summer 2011 issue. "Although our own Coalition government is politically far from Maoist, it has launched its own cultural revolution, at least so far as housing associations are concerned ... "

Andy Ballard joins Campbell Tickell - News Release, 23 May 2011.

Common ground - Mediation is becoming an increasingly popular way of settling disputes. But what's involved? Roger Levitt and Greg Campbell (of Campbell Tickell) explain. Published in Inside Housing, 6 May 2011.

Look both ways - could affordable rents really see associations stripped of charitable status? James Tickell examines the possibilities in Inside Housing magazine, 15 March 2011, and offers some sound advice to managers and trustees of charitable housing providers.

Learning the lessons of Connaught′s collapse - Allegations of ‘suicide bidding' by social housing contractors have provoked controversy, but the way forward is to ensure better procurement, says Greg Campbell of Campbell Tickell. Article published in fastforward magazine (published by maintenance contractor PH Jones) on the 'Soapbox' page Issue 1, January 2011. Available as .pdf file, 150KB.

Shaky Foundations - a Face the Facts special report for BBC Radio 4. John Waite investigates the September 2010 collapse of the property maintenance firm Connaught, which left 1,600 people without work and owed around £100m to creditors. He talks to former employees, sub-contractors and sector experts - including Greg Campbell of Campbell Tickell - about boxes of unpaid invoices, poor business practice, questionable accounting policies and the impact of the collapse on the social housing sector. Broadcast on Thursday 20 January 2011. Available as mp3 file, 25MB. Duration approx 25 minutes.

Shaky Foundations preview - BBC Radio 4's You and Yours interviews Greg Campbell of Campbell Tickell about the 2010 collapse of housing services group Connaught, in advance of the Face the Facts feature the following day. Broadcast on Wednesday 19 January 2011. Available as mp3 file, 4MB. Duration approx 4 minutes.

Consultants might not have as much work as they are used to right now, but that has not dented their sense of humour - Campbell Tickell's 2010 Christmas card in Inside Housing magazine's Closed Circuit blog: "In what would appear to be a Christmas cracker, Campbell Tickell sent out an email entitled ‘season's greetings' which featured a recruitment advertisement with a difference. North Pole Enterprises is after an assistant creative director - and along with experience at a senior level and an understanding of strategic issues would-be applicants are advised of the need to have a ‘strong liking for mince pies' ..."
See the original card (.pdf file, 300KB).

Reform & Revolution: The 1988 Housing Act - "24housing investigates through personal testimony the top 10 events to have shaped housing in the last 60 years ... " Here Ross Macmillan interviews James Tickell, former Registrar at the Housing Corporation and co-founder of Campbell Tickell Ltd, about the 1988 Housing Act. Published 1 October 2010.

Commission′s faith unit a success despite challenges - news article by Gareth Jones in Civil Society, published 20 July 2010. "The Charity Commission has proclaimed its Faith and Social Cohesion Unit (FSCU) to have been a success despite staffing shortages and funding concerns ... An interim evaluation by management consultancy Campbell Tickell was sufficiently positive to be 'instrumental in the extension of the programme'."

CT and Victory Housing Trust - "Victory Housing Trust wanted to involve all of its residents in shaping service priorities - the Victory Charter - for the next 5 years. Involved residents, staff and Board members, supported by Campbell Tickell, worked together to deliver a plan ... ". Article in the TAROE (Tenants And Residents Of England) newsletter, June 2010, page 5. (.pdf file, 1MB)

What we are proud of - National Winners - Rockingham Forests very own Sports & Activities Project which encourages children to try their hand at everything from bricklaying to basketball during the school holidays has won a prestigious national award for its work ... Greg Campbell, Director of Campbell Tickell who sponsored the Awards spoke on behalf of the judges: "The Rockingham Forest Housing Association initiative is a great demonstration of how you don't need to line up a huge budget to achieve real results. The staff of this association have shown genuine personal commitment to their tenants and this comes shining through with their winning entry. Well done Rockingham Forest!" On the RFHA Blog, 30 October 2009.

Don′t be an ostrich - Housing organisations are far from immune from the recession, as many pursue efficiency drives, cut spending and restructure. Redundancies are a real possibility in this climate, and if you are unlucky enough to lose your job, looking for a new one is tricky: fewer jobs are advertised and there are more applicants. So how to minimise your chances of being on the ‘at risk' list? And if the worst happens, how can you maximise your chances of getting a new job? Greg Campbell and Clare Roberts of Campbell Tickell explain in Inside Housing, 10 April 2009.

Boards must look at all the evidence - letter to Inside Housing from Sue Harvey (Campbell Tickell Consulting) and Roger Lustig (Campbell Tickell Assurance), published 20 March 2009. "You have drawn attention to the impact of impairment charges on income and expenditure accounts and loan covenants for developing housing associations (Inside Housing, 6 March). Other issues are also likely to affect 2008/09 accounts. Assumptions about future property sales income and the adequacy of undrawn loan facilities ... A combination of extraordinary market conditions and new guidance from professional bodies has raised the hurdle for demonstrating that an association is a ‘going concern'. This is likely to affect all associations, not just the leading developers ... ".

New partnership announced - CT Press Release, embargoed to 27 February 2009. Housing consultancy Campbell Tickell has announced a link-up with chartered accountants and internal auditors Lustig & Co. From 1 March, the firm will become Campbell Tickell Assurance, when Roger will be joined as a Director by Greg Campbell and James Tickell.

Captain fantastic - Economic storms make strong leadership essential. James Tickell and Radojka Miljevic of Campbell Tickell offer ten tips on how to keep your ship on course in choppy seas. Published in Inside Housing, 20 February 2009.

Cash calls hit social landlords - Housing associations have been hit by calls for tens of millions of pounds at short notice to provide security for complex financial agreements, writes Crispin Dowler in Inside Housing, 12 December 2008. "The long-term swaps market has seen what Sue Harvey, a senior consultant at housing consultancy Campbell Tickell, calls ‘extraordinary and unprecedented' falls, leading to cash calls on associations. Sources put some of these in the tens of millions of pounds. James Tickell, a director at the same firm, said: ‘If you can't lay your hands on the cash you need to put up, you are in default. That means you are looking at insolvency.' ... "

Collateral calls explained - Sue Harvey from Campbell Tickell and Howard Webb from Sector Weedon Grant explain the latest crisis to hit housing association finance. Inside Housing, 12 December 2008. "We have set out to explain recent events that have led to a few associations being suddenly required to place large amounts of cash on deposit. This explanation is necessarily a simplification of the complex interactions involved ... "

Inside Housing - Question Time - see the online video. "The chief executives of the new housing investor and regulator faced a grilling from Inside Housing readers at a question time event held by the magazine. Sir Bob Kerslake, chief executive of the Homes and Communities Agency, and Peter Marsh, chief executive of the Tenant Services Authority, answered questions about how they will look to build new homes and beat the credit crunch while protecting tenants' rights. They were joined by London & Quadrant Group boss David Montague, Notting Hill Housing chief executive Kate Davies and consultant James Tickell. BBC home editor Mark Easton fielded the questions."

Question Time - Campbell Tickell sponsored Inside Housing's Question Time event on Thursday 20 November at Tate Britain, featuring Sir Bob Kerslake and Peter Marsh.

Neighbourhood Awards 2008 - Campbell Tickell is the sponsor of the Communications Award of the Neighbourhood Awards 2008 - the winner being the Luminus Group, "for openness and communication - the Luminus way of excellence". Use the link to watch the video of the Awards Event at the ICC Birmingham, September 2008.

The charity Annual Report: Not just a set of accounts! - article by Greg Campbell of Campbell Tickell in the Solicitors Journal Charity and Appeals Supplement, Summer 2008, setting out both the legal duties of charities and their trustees, and how to achieve good practice by going beyond minimum legal requirements.

How to stay up to date: the focus of Housing Corporation report on smaller housing associations - Housing Corporation News Release, 23 July 2008. "With small housing associations (associations with up to 1,000 homes) making up 78% of all providers of social housing, and over 1,300 of them registered with the Housing Corporation, the report set out to uncover whether the needs for support and guidance of small associations are being met. The research, commissioned by the Housing Corporation and undertaken by Campbell Tickell, makes many recommendations and also identifies key areas associations believe need addressing ... "

Small associations told to improve governance - article by Tom Lloyd in Inside Housing, 23 July 2008. "Small housing associations need to strengthen their governance to compete in the current market, according to the Housing Corporation. A report produced by consultancy Campbell Tickell for the regulator makes a range of recommendations on how associations with less than 1,000 homes can improve their operations. The suggestions include looking at ways to improve the training and recruitment of board members, build links between small associations and support agencies, and ensure the agencies that are due to replace the corporation continue to support small associations ... "

National mobility scheme study announced - Housing Corporation press release, 10 March 2008: "Campbell Tickell consultants have been appointed by the Housing Corporation in conjunction with eight housing associations, the London boroughs and ten participating city councils to conduct a feasibility study into a national mobility scheme. The study, a flagship initiative of Communities and Local Government, is part of the Government's commitment to tackling mobility and overcrowding. The eight housing associations, the Housing Corporation and the private charitable trust the Joseph Rowntree Foundation have all pledged financial support for the project."

Gold Award Evaluation - Housing Corporation press release, 30 November 2007. "The Gold Award Team are pleased to announce the appointment of Campbell Tickell (an independent consultancy) to undertake an evaluation of the Gold Award 2006."

Focus on small housing associations by Corporation - research to explore needs of small housing associations commissioned. Housing Corporation press release, 21 November 2007. "Research into the support needed by small housing associations has been commissioned by the Housing Corporation, looking specifically at the provision of support for this area. The Corporation has commissioned management consultancy Campbell Tickell to carry out this research ... "

New tool launched to set a national standard on sharing information about applicants for re-housing - Housing Corporation News Release, 12 November 2007. "A new tool which aims to set a national standard on information sharing about applications for re-housing has been launched by the Housing Corporation." The Protocol was developed for the Housing Corporation by Campbell Tickell.

Sue Harvey to join Campbell Tickell - Campbell Tickell announces that finance and governance consultant Sue Harvey is to join their core team as a senior consultant. Sue is taking on a caseload of governance and business planning work, and will be working alongside Campbell Tickell's network of 80 associate consultants. Campbell Tickell press release, 17 September 2007.

Fines advised as way forward to "sharper" regime - news story in Inside Housing by Chloe Stothart, 28 March 2007. "James Tickell, director of consultancy Campbell Tickell, said the government should guard against letting the regulatory system be rolled over by pressure from private developers ... 'The private sector is ruthlessly focused on extracting the maximum subsidy from the government and doing as little as possible in return. You cannot criticise them for that; they are set up to make profits for shareholders. If the government is not careful it will get completely rolled over in a way housing associations were too nice to do.' ... "

New project to help housing associations and private landlords tackle homelessness announced - Housing Corporation press release of 31 January 2007. "Unlocking the potential supply of properties in the private rented sector to combat homelessness is the aim of a new project sponsored by the Housing Corporation ... The Corporation has commissioned management consultancy Campbell Tickell to research what is happening on the ground, and report back on good practice that will help deliver more homes for rent."

Corporation unveils responses to future investment approaches - Housing Corporation press release, 21 December 2006. "An independent evaluation of the Housing Corporation's 2006-2008 bid round 'The developing new approach to investment: an evaluation' by Campbell Tickell is also published today and available on the corporation website "

Profit is not the only goal - comment article from Inside Housing magazine, 17 November 2006. Greg Campbell warns that the Britain's housing associations are at risk unless the Government makes it worth their while to retain their social organisation and social purpose.

Housing Corporation announces the outcome of a statutory inquiry into Black Roof Community Housing Association - Housing Corporation press release following a statutory inquiry into the affairs of BRCHA carried out by James Tickell and Elizabeth Wilson.

Troubled Union - Reshaping English Partnerships and the Housing Corporation into one body would be like mixing oil and water. Far better to start from scratch, argues James Tickell in Inside Housing magazine, 15 September 2006.

Campbell Tickell's new recruit - independent management consultancy Campbell Tickell today announced the appointment of a new senior consultant, Dr. Radojka Miljevic, to their central team. Press Release, 15/09/06.

Supervision success stories highlighted in new Housing Corporation report - Housing Corporation press release for the publication of With the best of intentions, the third volume of the Housing Corporation's Learning from problem cases series, written by James Tickell and Nigel Phethean.

A lesson in governance - article by James Tickell of Campbell Tickell in Inside Housing magazine of 21 July 2006. The article coincides with publication of the report With the best of intentions by the Housing Corporation.

Weak boards a common factor for failing landlords - article in Inside Housing magazine, 21 July 2006. "A lack of control by housing association boards is one of the key factors that force associations into Housing Corporation supervision, according to a warts and all examination of 19 once failing landlords. The report by consultancy Campbell Tickell found that boards' failure to challenge the decisions of the executive team was another frequent feature of associations that end up in hot water."

The new EU procurement rules - the EU public procurement regime is an area of particular complexity. Greg Campbell, director at Campbell Tickell, comments on the issues. Article for Property People Magazine, April 2006.

Housing Corporation announces statutory inquiry and statutory appointments at Black Roof Community Housing Association - the Corporation appoints James Tickell of Campbell Tickell and financial consultant Elizabeth Wilson to conduct the inquiry. Housing Corporation press release, 17 March 2006.

NHF commission's work for tenants gathers pace - The National Housing Federation's tenant involvement commission, set up to look at how housing associations could become more accountable for their performance and more responsive to tenants' aspirations, includes James Tickell of Campbell Tickell. News story in Inside Housing magazine, 16 March 2006.

Clare Roberts to join Campbell Tickell - experienced human resources consultant Clare Roberts is joining independent management consultancy Campbell Tickell as a senior associate consultant, after 18 years with Tribal HCH and its predecessors. Press release, 5 January 2006.

Dutch to follow commission's inspection example - article in Housing Today, 24 November 2005. After Roger Jarman, Audit Commission head of housing strategy and resources, and James Tickell gave evidence to the Dutch standing committee with responsibility for housing, the Netherlands is looking to introduce a housing association inspection regime based on the English model.

Managerial diversity promotes good practice
Letter from Greg Campbell to Inside Housing magazine, published on 11 November 2005.

Sector urged to do more to drive stock transfer to Black and Minority Ethnic associations
Housing Corporation press release of 15 September 2005. "More should be done to ensure the growth of specialist BME housing providers, according to a Housing Corporation funded report published today. BME Housing Associations and Stock Transfers, by consultants Campbell Tickell, makes a raft of recommendations to help increase the number of homes owned or managed by BME associations ... "

The glue to aid cohesion - Comment article from Inside Housing magazine, 9 September 2005. Greg Campbell argues that stock transfers to BME housing associations bring many benefits

BME associations must be first in line
News story in Inside Housing, 9 September 2005, about the recent report by Campbell Tickell on housing for black and minority ethnic (BME) communities.

The good life?
Feature in Inside Housing by Barbara Buchanan about housing consultancy, featuring Campbell Tickell. September 2005. Available as .pdf.

Troubled Shaftesbury to sell 2500 homes, but rejects merger
News article from Housing Today magazine, 19 November 2004.

Housing chief starts troubleshooting
News story from The Guardian Society section, Wednesday 21 April. "The outgoing deputy chief executive of the National Housing Federation, James Tickell, has begun his new career as a hired troubleshooter ... "

Ins and outs
News story in The Guardian Society section. "The deputy chief executive of the National Housing Federation James Tickell is quitting after 10 years. From June, Tickell will run a housing consultancy Campbell Tickell."

Tickell leaves NHF to set up consultancy
News report in Housing Today magazine, 5 March 2004. "National Housing Federation deputy chief executive James Tickell is to resign in May after 10 years at the body ...". Note: free registration required.