Tanisha Rigby in our Stronger Communities team is a finalist in the HQN Housing’s Next Generation competition 2021!

Congratulations to Tanisha Rigby, Customer Involvement Officer in our Stronger Communities team for being named a finalist in the Housing Quality Network (HQN) Housing’s Next Generation competition 2021!

The initiative brings together the best and brightest young professionals from across the housing sector.

Tanisha beat other candidates to make the top 20 shortlist for the competition, which was then whittled down. To reach the final she has competed in a series of rounds judged by both the sector and an expert judging panel. These included writing a blog about the pitfalls of going digital and doing a presentation on one idea that would change the sector for the better, in which she focused on digital inclusion. After a tough judging round, the panel felt that Tanisha’s presentation and follow up Q&A was one of the strongest.

There will be no outright competition winner this year, as HQN is focusing on the development opportunity it can give to all the finalists.

The next step for Tanisha is an opportunity to develop personal and professional skills that she can bring back to our organisation and into the future.

She will also become part of HQN’s Next Generation Hub, which provides opportunity for networking and best practice sharing for those aged under 30, and working with HQN on events and projects.

Speaking about the competition, Tanisha said: “I am really happy to be a finalist and can’t quite believe it – especially as I have only been in the sector since December 2019 and I have been working remotely for the majority of this time. I’m passionate about what I do and love having the opportunity to work with customers to influence and make a difference in our communities. Getting through to the final has definitely boosted my confidence and I’m excited for the future.”

Since being nominated for the Next Generation competition, Tanisha has been among the speakers at the HQN Annual Conference, at which she spoke about her role working in housing, and the HQN Estates Club Conference, where she spoke about engagement initiatives which are live in our neighbourhoods.

Emma Cafferky, Stronger Communities Manager at FCHO, said: “Congratulations Tanisha! To be named a finalist in this competition is a terrific accolade and well, well deserved! Tanisha is a brilliant asset to FCHO and has a great relationship with our communities, particularly our younger customers. The HQN development opportunities will help her to continue to grow in her role and I can’t wait to see what the future holds. Well done!”

Read more in the latest edition of Housing Quality Magazine.