Date: Friday 25th September 2020 – 9:00 am
Press Release
Ben Laryea, Chief Executive of Ekaya HA has been appointed as Chair of BME London Landlords.
BME London Landlords the collaboration of 14 BME Led London Registered Social Landlords are pleased to announce the appointment of Ben Laryea Chief Executive of Ekaya Housing Association as Chair.
Ben Laryea who takes over the role from, Gina Amoh, Chief Executive of Inquilab HA, said: “I’m thrilled and honoured to be taking over this role from Gina and am grateful for the opportunity to build on the great job she has done as chair over the past three years leading BME London Landlords and Leadership 2025.
“As an alumnus who has benefitted immensely from Leadership 2025, I am very mindful and thankful for BME London Landlords setting up this programme and will work with my colleagues to continue we ensure the sector improves its performance in addressing the lack of diversity at senior executive and board level.
“BME London Landlords has an important role in highlighting the work the sector can do to address the complex challenges being faced by London’s BAME communities. A clear priority will be working with sector partners to provide practical housing solutions to address the issues that have been brought into focus by the Black Lives Matter cause and the disproportional impact of COVID 19 on BAME communities.
“Social housing has a responsibility to empower tenants, and wherever possible we must give voice to the voiceless. The NHF’s updated code of governance has created the opportunity for the sector to raise its ambition and lead on Equality, Diversity and Inclusion. The voice of BAME Communities have been marginalised for too long, this is unacceptable. BME London Landlords are committed to using our learning as a collaboration to enable the dynamism that is in the social housing sector to show leadership to right this wrong.
We look forward to the challenge.”
BME London Landlords recently conducted a roundtable meeting with Deputy Mayor of London for Housing, Tom Copley, to explore how they can contribute to GLA’s COVID economic and social recovery plans; they are currently planning roundtable meetings with London MP’s and the No.10 Policy Advisor for the Equalities Minister.
BME London Landlords board consist of Chief Executives of 14 BME led registered social landlords, of arguably the most dynamic community facing housing providers that currently exist in London today. Each organisation having existed for over more than 30 years, uniquely placed, provide services to some of the most disadvantaged communities in London. The collective experience of each organisation gives a telling insight into the journey’s, experience, challenges and everyday realities of the communities they serve. Managing staff teams ranging from 2 to 40 members and serving management boards who provide, governance, strategic guidance and operational oversight within the regulatory framework of the regulator of social landlords; BME London Landlords membership works in collaboration to maximise the potential of the civic leadership role that BME led organisations in London, as one of the most diverse cities in the world demands and needs.
Industrial Dwelling Society Ltd
North London Muslims Housing Association
Spitalfields Housing Association
Tamil Community Housing Association
For more enquiries contact: khalid@bmelondon.org.uk
