New horizons for repairs director after 38 years

Friday 30 April 2010

The Executive Director of Repairs, Bob Watts, is leaving Homes for Haringey after 38 years of continuous service.

Bob is taking early retirement and leaves the organisation at the end of April. He joined Haringey Council as a Repairs Clerk in 1971 straight from school and earning £19 a week.

Bob who obtained his MBA in 2005, is married with three children.

After a short break, he intends to pursue a new career in consultancy/interim management. He may also join the Board of an ALMO or Housing Association.  

In his leisure time Bob enjoys walking the dogs, DIY, travel and following Arsenal. During Bob’s tenure he has overseen a number of successes. His contribution to the £200m decent homes programme and in-house repairs service bids, has led to huge improvements in residents lives.

In November  2007, he drove the organisation’s successful bid for the £100m repairs contract covering over  21,000 council homes. The in-house repairs team employs over 250 staff including approximately 200 trades’ operatives. Almost 50, who are now fully qualified, started their careers as Haringey apprentices.

The organisation now has an award winning apprentice scheme, 100% gas safety record, a new fleet of branded repairs vehicles, a repairs control centre and the repairs service is highly rated by considerate constructor scorecards.

In housing, Bob found an instant passion, he said: “Working within housing has been fascinating as well as a great challenge.  It has been a pleasure working with such committed staff and providing ever improving services to our local tenants. I am confident the organisation will continue to improve services so they are rated excellent in the near future.”

Recent changes have been made to the existing Executive Management team following the merging of the Repairs and Asset Management team into a new Property Services directorate.  

Paul Bridge, Chief Executive, said: “Bob leaves us amid high praise. We wish him every success for the future and thank him for all of his hard work and commitment to the residents of Haringey.”  

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