Octavia welcomes new Interim CEO Kevin Bolt MBA takes up his new role as Interim CEO of Octavia today, Friday 5 January. He takes over from Sandra Skeete who has stepped down from the role having advised the Board early last year of her intention to leave Octavia to pursue new opportunities. Kevin has worked in social housing management for 11 years, for the last nine as the CEO of the Bedford-based housing association bpha. He came into the sector via a career in Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) and change management. Kevin has a depth and breadth of commercial experience gained through working at Board level in the private and public sectors. He has delivered growth and performance improvements in organisations as diverse as Appletiser plc and Dairy Crest, through to the Ministry of Defence and NHS Trusts. His first experience of the housing sector came in 2012 when he undertook a consultancy project with bpha, and he has been a passionate advocate ever since. Kevin said: “I am delighted to be joining a team of people who are dedicated to providing homes, support, and care to thousands of people in central and west London. “I’m looking forward to us working together to steer Octavia through what is a pivotal point in its history and protect its founder’s legacy for future generations of Londoners.”
Octavia
Non-profit Organization Management
We are Octavia. Founded in 1865 by philanthropist Octavia Hill, our work covers three areas: homes, support and care
About us
We are Octavia. We help thousands of people in London live happily, independently and with the care they need. Our work covers three areas: Homes We build homes, manage homes and provide affordable homes for people who need them. And not just any homes. Like our founder, Victorian philanthropist Octavia Hill, we believe good homes make for better lives. So we go out of our way to create spaces people will thrive in. Support People need extra help for all sorts of reasons, at different times in their lives. So we work with Londoners of all ages to build confidence, connections and community. From training and job opportunities for younger people to befriending schemes and activities for older people. Our work is holistic, personal – and in many cases – transformational. Like Octavia Hill, we are entrepreneurial in how we fund and support this work, with help from volunteers and money raised from our charity shops. Care We look after older and vulnerable adults in many different ways, providing everything from 24-hour care to regular company and a chance for interaction. We also offer outreach services, so we can visit and connect with others across our neighbourhood. Throughout everything we do lies one core belief: that mixed communities are stronger communities, and that everyone deserves the same chances in life. We are for hope. For happiness. For equality. For the common good. Since 1865.
- Website
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https://www.octavia.org.uk/
External link for Octavia
- Industry
- Non-profit Organization Management
- Company size
- 201-500 employees
- Headquarters
- London
- Type
- Nonprofit
- Founded
- 1865
Locations
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Primary
Get directions
Emily House 202-208 Kensal Road
London, W10 5BN, GB
Employees at Octavia
Updates
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Thank you so much to the generous organisations and individuals who have supported our winter campaign, helping us to hold 8 local Christmas parties for over 250 older and vulnerable people. Your support is truly inspiring and makes such a difference in our community. With 10 days to go until the campaign closes, there is still time to support isolated older people in your community this season. To find out more about our Christmas Campaign visit our website: https://lnkd.in/exURMbvA"
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Octavia is exploring options for a formal partnership with Abri Group. Read more here: https://bit.ly/3R7Nijs and see below for messages from our Chair, Stephen Jack, and our CEO, Sandra Skeete.
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New appointment to Octavia Board Octavia has announced that Lara Sonola has joined the Octavia Board as a non-executive director. Lara worked in the NHS for over seven years. In that time, and in a range of roles, she gained considerable experience in integrated care systems, regulatory policy, talent management, and leadership development. She spent some time at the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) before moving to a Chief of Staff role with NHS England in 2019. Before joining the NHS, Lara was a senior researcher with the health charity, The King's Fund, where she worked for five years. She has a MSc in Public Health and a BSc in Biomedical Science. Lara has been Joint Chair of the Board of trustees at Age UK Wandsworth for five years and is also a trustee of Helpforce, a charity that seeks to accelerate the growth and impact of volunteering in health and care. Lara commented: “As a beneficiary of social housing in my own life, I am delighted to join the team at Octavia. I have great admiration for their commitment to not only create good homes but also better lives for their residents and communities, particularly in what are challenging times for all of us. I look forward to contributing to that work and to the future success of Octavia.” Speaking about the appointment, Sandra Skeete, CEO of Octavia, commented: “We’re very pleased to welcome Lara to the Board. Her significant experience in the public and charitable sectors, through her work in the NHS and in her trustee roles, will be invaluable as we continue to build on Octavia’s legacy.”
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We are recruiting a Programme and Project Manager to join our Development Team. If you are an experienced development project manager, with great communication and organisational skills, click below to find out more and apply. #recruiting #nonprofit #projectmanagementrole
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We are recruiting Financial Resilience Advisor to help us support more people who are experiencing financial difficulties. Click below to find out more and apply. #recruiting #nonprofit #charityjobs
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Octavia reposted this
On Wednesday Jane McCormick and I attended the House of Commons for the Communities that Work reception marking the launch of their campaign. #FuturethatWorks calls for a national commitment to create systemic change to tackle unemployment, economic inactivity and in-work poverty within some of the UK’s most disadvantaged communities. Mims Davies MP, Minister for Social Mobility, Youth and Progression, spoke at the launch about the crucial role that social housing providers play in enabling residents to become more work ready and confident to take advantage of available opportunities. We know the value to our residents of Octavia’s training and employment support services and how our help can improve economic prosperity, wellbeing and life chances for residents. It was positive to hear from the government that it too understands the important role that housing associations play in this, especially in the current tough economic climate, which is impacting on our most disadvantaged communities the most. The government sees housing associations as key partners in helping to improve the economic prosperity of communities through access to new and better paid work. We at Octavia support their campaign and you can find out more at: https://lnkd.in/etNjBCW3 ©Communities that Work/Jonathan Slade Photography #octavia #employability #work #support
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