Social enterprise attracts new board member
Experienced accountant and trustee Geoff Walker has joined the Ōtautahi Community Housing Trust board.
Ōtautahi Community Housing Trust’s newest trustee relishes the chance to contribute to another, true social enterprise.
“It's really a true social enterprise model, not simply a landlord or a service provider,” Geoff Walker says.
"ŌCHT has to succeed as a business, and its success as a business is linked to success as a provider.
“It's all inter-related and it should all lead to making things better for the people we serve.”
Geoff already has plenty of experience in businesses and organisations that do well by people and their communities.
The experienced accountant and trustee was previously Amnesty International Aotearoa New Zealand Treasurer and Trade Aid's Finance Manager.
Trade Aid Group includes 33 charities and 29 stores, and straddles the commercial and social justice worlds, Geoff explains.
The group was constantly balancing how to operate a commercial business with improving returns and social outcomes for its fair trade partners.
Geoff was also Canterbury Community Earthquake Recovery Network vice chair, supporting quake-affected resident associations and groups.
These days he's Jade Software's Head of Finance and Sustainability, leading the company's B-Corp certification journey.
B-Corp (Benefit Corporation) certification measures a company’s entire social and environmental impact.
Measurables include carbon emissions, the company's relationship with its people and customers, and its overall role in society.
For Geoff, social purpose is among the most important elements for a modern business.
“That's something that's really attractive about ŌCHT, and hopefully what I learn in [Jade's] the B-Corp work can help add to that.”
Geoff has only just got his feet under the desk, but he appreciates all ŌCHT does for tenants.
Active, tenant-focused tenancy management provided many opportunities to encourage sustainable tenancies.
ŌCHT’s navigation, support and additional services, such as coaching and amenity services, reinforced it as a business of positive impacts.
He is also impressed with ŌCHT’s maintenance and building programmes and is alive to the challenge of maintaining quality and affordability.
"ŌCHT is tackling the housing crisis and has to keep being a successful business and great landlord to keep that work going.
“There's so much to like about what's being done, and about what's in the future. I'm looking forward to contributing.”
Geoff is one of two new trustees. You can read more about new trustee Philippa Jones here.