Jake Brodetsky
I joined Swan’s graduate programme in August 2006, after graduating with a degree in French from the University of Reading.
I quickly gained exposure the Development Department’s core business areas, and was given my own areas of responsibility from the moment I joined, quickly gaining detailed knowledge of the development process.
I have now progressed to the role of Project Manager, with an in depth involvement with a number of Swan’s regeneration schemes in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets. One of the most exciting and interesting projects that I am involved with is the regeneration of Exmouth Estate. This involves managing contracts to bring Swan’s tenanted properties up to the Decent Homes standard, the remodelling of communal spaces to improve residents’ security, and working up proposals for a high quality mixed-tenure and mixed-use new build development to make best use of the available space.
The other area of my job involves the management of Swan’s NAHP grant allocation from the Housing Corporation, both in the London region and the East region. This is a particularly exciting time to be involved with this area of the business as Swan has recently been successful in securing £64m of Social Housing Grant in the 2008-11 bid round, which could increase to £161m through schemes currently in Swan’s supply chain.
Swan is sponsoring me to study for an MSc in Housing and Regeneration (Social Policy) at the LSE, and I am currently in my final year. Studying part-time on a day release basis, this offers not only the opportunity to learn about the key policy drivers and macro-economic issues in the Housing sector, but the opportunity to meet other graduates from RSLs across the London region.