Nash, Project Manager - Housing Development

Working at NCHA has been a life journey for me and I’ve grown with the company after starting in 2006 as an Assistant in Finance. It’s been the best place to start work as there’s a good support culture and my experience has been very positive.

During my time here there have been low and high moments: the lows including the decline in house-building a few years back, and an accident in my family back in Pakistan meaning I had to take time off.

On both occasions my line managers were very supportive and helped me go through that difficult period. The focus here is on people and working as a team which has resulted in me being more resilient and
loyal to the company.

A positive place

NCHA is a positive place to work with good support to progress you through your career. They’re very receptive and approving of new ideas towards work, colleague social improvements, and team bonding.

The impact of all this is they have loyal, committed, qualified and experienced colleagues with very low colleague turnover and a quality place to work. Which, in turn, provides quality service and quality homes to people in need.

Having moved to the UK from Pakistan in 2002, things were very hard and different at the start for me. There was a cultural shock, living away from family and friends, and the weather was different.

Although I could speak good English, different accents and dialects were the first thing I had to overcome. Doing a master’s degree at Nottingham Trent University and working at an NTL call centre really helped.

Despite having a master’s degree, I struggled to get a job I really wanted, so my work experience in Nottingham spans from being a Chef in KFC, a Security Officer, a Delivery Driver, a Call Centre Operative and an Assistant Tax Officer in HMRC.

Stability and progression

When I started working here in Finance, it finally gave me that stability and path where I could progress my work career. I started as a Finance Assistant and gradually moved to other roles. I’m now working as a Project Manager in Housing Development.

The work culture here has played a big role in this, by providing opportunities in-house to progress. As a workplace, it’s a great place to be. I haven’t had any issues practising my faith (Islam), be it going for Friday prayers, fasting in the month of Ramadan or celebrating Eid and Christmas. There’s a great work/life balance, diversity and understanding amongst colleagues.

Being a positive role model is both an honour and responsibility at the same time, as it gives me an opportunity to show others how good of a place it is. If by doing that I can get the best people to come and work here, it’ll mean we have the best people at the best place, providing the best service.