Housing Chair shortlisted for lifetime achievement award

With a lifetime spent in campaigning for diversity and race equality, Tom Murtha, Chair of North Wales Housing has been shortlisted for 24Housing magazine’s lifetime achievement award.
 
The prestigious ceremony will be held in Aston Villa Football Club, Birmingham on the 10th of May.
Tom has spent his whole career – from his student days through to his retirement, working for the rights and equality for minority groups within the housing sector.
 
His achievements are numerous from his role on the National Housing Federation Race and Housing Group to his membership of the CRE/HC Race and Housing Commission. Before joining NWH he was chief executive at one of the UK’s leading social housing providers and was responsible for appointing one of the first black chief executives to a non-BME association.
 
On reaching the shortlist, and beating off competition from individuals from across the UK, Tom said: “This is a real honour, and I know from my work in the sector that there would be many worthy winners of this award. Whatever the outcome I am delighted to reach this stage and I look forward to celebrating the achievements of colleagues across housing in an area which is very close to me heart”
 
Chief Executive of North Wales Housing, Helena Kirk added: “We would like to congratulate Tom on this achievement; and we’re delighted that he will be representing North Wales Housing at this important event in May. We wish Tom and all those on the short list the best of luck – they have all demonstrated a fantastic commitment to diversity. As we move forward we are keen to work with Tom in his role as our chair, so that he can continue to promote equality and diversity within housing, and specifically in Wales.”
 
Tom continues to campaign on the housing sector’s lack of progress on race – and is currently seeking to establish a new approach to race and diversity in Wales.