Stephen Howlett is Chief Executive of Peabody, one of London’s oldest and largest housing associations with 28,000 homes and ambitious plans for 8,000 more.
He chairs the Board – known as the Court – of the University of Greenwich and presides over its graduation ceremonies as Pro Chancellor. He also sits on a host of bodies which lead housing policy, advise politicians and develop skills in the sector.
He is a compelling advocate for more affordable housing, the London Living Wage and a locally administered emergency welfare fund to make life in the capital viable for those on low incomes. Stephen’s blog demonstrates how Peabody is so much more than a housing provider. He celebrates the hundreds of volunteers who devoted 180,000 hours to improving their communities last year; apprenticeships and employment schemes that helped 1,500 people into work or training; programmes to make homes low carbon and sustainable; and collaborations with charities like the National Literacy Trust to foster a love of reading in children. He is tireless in building partnerships across all sectors to create vibrant communities and individual wellbeing.
Somehow in addition he manages to be a member of Blackheath Football Club (actually a Rugby Union team), support Ipswich Town, and pursue his interest in design and architecture as trustee of Open-City, the architecture education organisation behind Open House London.
“It is a privilege and a great honour to serve as Pro Chancellor. I am particularly proud to be the first graduate of the university to assume chairmanship of the Court. ”
“George Peabody said that education is ‘a debt due from present to future generations’, and I aim to play my part in settling that debt to students at this great university during my tenure. ”
“I am passionate about education, continuing the university’s focus on academic excellence and further securing its place as one of London’s leading universities. ”
