Member Article

New Finance Director ready for the challenge at Manningham Housing Association

Bradford-based Manningham Housing Association (MHA) has appointed Shendi Keshet as Director of Finance and Resources. She will take up post in the New Year.

Ms Keshet is the third senior appointment made by the BME housing association since the autumn, following Nas Hussain as Community Partnerships and Investment Manager, and Matthew Hayes as IT Manager.

Originally from Canada, Ms Keshet joins MHA on a permanent basis after choosing to undertake interim roles in recent years.

These include Head of Financial Planning at Beyond Housing, one of the leading housing providers in the North-East of England which manages 15,000 homes across Redcar and Cleveland, and North Yorkshire.

She has also held the dual London-based roles of Director of Financial Transformation at the Industrial Dwellings Society, and Deputy Director of Finance at Soho Housing.

Ms Keshet said the opportunity to join MHA was an exciting prospect.

She commented: “I know West Yorkshire well, having lived in Halifax for many years, and followed MHA’s journey closely.

“There has never been a better time to join its leadership team which is held in the highest regard in Bradford, Keighley and far beyond.

“I have particularly enjoyed working for BME housing associations throughout my career and MHA is one of the best in the country.

“It is a well-grounded and financially stable organisation with a bright future.

“I am thrilled to be part of what comes next.”

Lee Bloomfield, who will enter his third year as MHA Chief Executive in 2020, spoke of his pleasure at having Ms Keshet onboard.

He said: “It was a rigorous recruitment process and Shendi’s qualities shone through.

“A year on from having our financial viability grading increased to the highest level by the Regulator of Social Housing, we are in a great place with ambitious plans.

“The Director of Finance and Resources post is newly-configured as we seek to turn both our Growth Strategy and Corporate Strategy into realities.

“Shendi ticks every box and is a first-class hire for MHA.”

Barrington Billings, MHA Chair, said that Ms Keshet was the outstanding candidate in the rigorous recruitment process.

He continued: “We want nothing but the best at Manningham Housing Association and Shendi is certainly that.

“Her life and workplace experiences really add to the diverse blend of talent in our staff, which has already earned us two prestigious accreditations for our commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion, and outstanding excellence in customer service

“Shendi is an ideal fit for MHA and will do an excellent job.”

Founded in 1986, MHA manages more than 1,400 homes for over 6,000 residents in Bradford and Keighley.

More than 80 per cent of MHA residents are of South Asian origin, but the association proudly serves all of those in need.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Barry White .