Bernicia’s Executive Director of Communities, Jenny Allinson, has been appointed Chair of an award-winning North East social housing partnership helping tenants and residents overcome barriers to find employment.
She will head up the Housing Employment Network North East (HENNE) which pools the collective expertise of 12 North East housing associations responsible for managing 186,000 homes.
Jenny takes over the role of Chair from Tyne Housing’s Chief Executive Steve McKinlay who will step down from the role in March after four years.
During Steve’s tenure, HENNE has experienced a period of meaningful impact, strengthened collaboration and grown regional influence. The partnership has secured over £6m in funding and delivered integrated employment pathways and programmes that, over a 15 month period, have supported 7,755 people towards work and helped 2,539 into employment.
HENNE has also gained significant external recognition, winning the Northern Housing Awards’ Best Partnership and being shortlisted for two awards by the Employment Related Services Association. Being selected as the only pilot site in the North East for the innovative Jobs Plus programme, one of just ten pilots across England, further demonstrates the credibility and innovation fostered during this period.
Under Steve’s leadership, the partnership has helped shape regional employment priorities, ensuring the voice of social housing tenants is represented at a strategic level. HENNE has strengthened its relationships with key stakeholders, including DWP and both local and combined authorities, helping to raise the profile of housing‑led employment support.
Reflecting on his time as Chair, Steve said: “I’m proud of our achievements together and grateful that the close working partnership we have formed has delivered so many good news stories for tenants and local communities.
“Jenny is an incredibly capable leader and just as importantly, is totally invested in helping our tenants be the best that they can be.”
Speaking of her appointment Jenny said: “I am delighted to take on the role of HENNE Chair and I’d like to thank Steve for his leadership and passion in his time as Chair. I hope to build upon the solid foundations he has laid.
“It’s vitally important that as social housing providers deeply rooted in North East communities, we use our knowledge and expertise to work with partners, supply chains and employers to do all we can to help tenants and communities access employment.
“HENNE helps us do just that – by using our knowledge and influence, housing providers are supporting local people to access skills and opportunities that lead to good work, meaning that regional growth is fairer growth.”
HENNE is a partnership between Believe Housing, Bernicia, Beyond Housing, Gentoo Group, Home Group, Karbon Homes, Livin Housing, Newcastle City Council, Oasis Community Housing, North Star Housing, Thirteen Group, and Tyne Housing.
