GEM Programme delighted to welcome Riverside as partners

News Release

August 2020

 

Geraldine Howley, Chair of the GEM Programme and Group Chief Executive of the West Yorkshire-based Incommunities Group, is delighted to announce Riverside as new partners of the GEM Programme.

 

The GEM Team will work in collaboration with Riverside to fill six places on this unique career building programme. Four of places will be linked to exciting, newly created roles within Riverside and two will be based in existing positions in the organisation.

 

Riverside is a major provider of affordable housing, care and support services in England and Scotland with almost 56,000 homes.

 

Geraldine Howley said “We are delighted to welcome Riverside as a leading national player in the housing sector and we are proud to be helping them deliver their new talent strategy.

 

“Of importance to our partnership is the promotion of diversity and inclusion in Riverside and the housing sector more generally. Riverside are encouraging colleagues from BAME backgrounds to join the GEM Programme. It will be a key part of Riverside’s talent strategy and will boost diversity and encourage a culture of everyday innovation.”

 

Successful applicants will be recruited internally and externally and take part in the challenging twelve-month GEM Programme. The stretching roles the GEMs will take on have been designed at graduate level and take a progressive approach to homelessness, assets, business information and health and safety. All GEMs chosen to participate in the programme will demonstrate the values, behaviours and leadership potential required by Riverside’s innovative talent strategy.

 

Geraldine Howley said “The GEM Programme provides a unique vehicle for the recruitment and development of Riverside’s ‘future leaders’.

 

“It’s gratifying to play an important part in future proofing their organisation and grow the housing professionals and leaders of the future’.

 

The GEM Programme was launched in 2009 in West Yorkshire and has since greatly expanded to attract recruits from across England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and internationally from Canada, and most recently from Australia.The GEM Programme also has exchange arrangements in place with partners in Hong Kong and Holland.

 

Over the last decade, 300 GEMs have secured prestigious jobs –  and 95% of GEMs are offered employment contacts by their partner organisations at the end of the GEM Programme. 100% of GEMs achieve Chartered Institute of Housing qualification.

 

Partner organisations represented by GEMs on the current Programme include Incommunities, Homes England, the Wheatley Group, United Living, the Northern Ireland Housing Executive and Hume Housing (Australia).

 

 

For more information contact  Amanda Livermore, Centre for Partnership Team on 01274 254878 or 07771 661641 or E: info@centreforpartnership.co.uk or Joe Robinson at Riverside E Joe.Robinson@riverside.org.uk