Sector Principal - Social Housing
At Waterstons, we don’t just deliver technology, we build long-term partnerships that help housing organisations thrive. With over 30 years of experience and a reputation as trusted advisors, we understand the unique challenges facing housing associations. From tenant engagement to asset optimisation, our solutions are designed to unlock value, drive efficiency, and support your mission to provide safe and sustainable homes.
Why Waterstons for Social Housing?
We work with some of the UK’s leading housing organisations. Our deep understanding of housing regulations, tenant needs, and operational complexity means we can tailor solutions that work in the real world.
What our clients say
Our talented team is able to draw on cross-sector experience to deliver fresh insights, innovative thinking, and solutions that add real strategic value, positioning us as a partner who brings more than just expertise, but a wider vision that helps you stay ahead.
Jason Webster
Business Systems Manager
“The insight you bring from clients across the sector and from other sectors is invaluable.”
Navigating sector changes together
With the UK government pledging major investment in affordable housing, abolishing ‘no fault’ evictions, and extending Awaab’s Law into the private sector, housing providers face both opportunity and complexity.
At Waterstons, we help you respond with confidence, leveraging technology to meet regulatory demands, improve housing standards, and deliver better outcomes for communities.
Case studies
Degrees of development
The University of Central Lancashire is an international, multi-campus university that can trace its roots back to 1828. The institution leads the way in modern learning offering a range of Higher and Degree Apprenticeships, allowing learners to gain an academic qualification and a degree whilst they work, alongside undergraduate and postgraduate degree courses.
University of Central Lancashire
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Cultivating cyber resilience: Case study - People’s Postcode Lottery.
“Working with Waterstons means having trusted, accredited advice and experts in our corner. We’re able to make informed decisions based on the information they provide. They understand us, our needs and what matters most to us.”
Mark Sandison People’s Postcode Lottery
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Smarter routes, bigger impact: How Waterstons transformed tree collections
The annual Christmas Tree Recycling programme at St Cuthbert’s Hospice is a vital fundraiser, but behind the scenes, the process was as complex as it was time-consuming.
St Cuthbert's Hospice
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Finding a Waythrough the merger
Waythrough is a charity specialising in mental health, alcohol, drugs and related areas, formed from a merger of two like-minded organisations. They engaged Waterstons to plan and carry out the technical merging and rebranding of their IT systems.
Waythrough
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Agility through collaboration
The client was delighted with both the policy documents and the software development practices recommendations report. The firm has already been agile to already make some changes which allows the business to grow and improve from the knowledge gained from the sessions and reports.
Clair Hillier Head of Digital Delivery Management at Waterstons
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Social Housing FAQs
- How to ensure your IT systems are compliant with housing regulations and data protection laws?
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Compliance starts with robust governance and secure infrastructure. IT teams should implement GDPR-compliant data handling, regular audits, and access controls. Sector-specific regulations like the Housing Ombudsman’s Complaint Handling Code can also be embedded into digital workflows to ensure accountability and transparency.
- What are the benefits of moving to cloud-based systems in social housing?
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Cloud solutions offer scalability, cost-efficiency, and improved disaster recovery. For housing providers, this means easier collaboration across teams, faster deployment of new services, and reduced reliance on legacy infrastructure. Cloud platforms also support remote working and mobile access for frontline staff.
- What are the biggest cybersecurity risks for housing associations?
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Common risks include phishing attacks, ransomware, and data breaches. Housing organisations often hold sensitive tenant data, making them attractive targets. A strong cybersecurity posture includes staff training, multi-factor authentication, regular patching, and incident response planning.
- What role does data play in improving housing services?
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Data is central to understanding tenant needs, property performance, and service delivery. By integrating data across systems (e.g., CRM, asset management, repairs), organisations can gain a 360-degree view of operations, enabling predictive maintenance, targeted interventions, and better resource allocation.
- How to choose the right digital partners and platforms?
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Look for partners with sector experience and a collaborative approach. The right platform should integrate with existing systems, support your strategic goals, and offer flexibility for future growth. Consider supplier transparency, support services, and alignment with your values and compliance needs.
Our services
Learning and thinking
Housing Scotland 2025
Thu 02 Oct 2025, 9:00am - 5:00pm
From 2:00-2:15pm, catch our Sector Principal for Social Housing, Andrew Buckels, on stage sharing his expertise.
Your Innovation Strategy is Boring
I would place bets on your innovation strategy being boring. There is a good chance you don’t even have an innovation strategy but, let’s face it, if you did it would probably be dull. In our experience most innovation strategies are more about the things you won’t do than the things you will.
Innovation through inclusion: rethinking social housing with residents at the centre
If we focus, even at a high level, on one or two of the consumer objectives outlined in the Regulator of Social Housing (RSH)’s Housing and Regeneration Act 2008, the focus is around the quality and safety of homes, and tenants.
Ready to reimagine your business?
We’re with you.
Sector Principal - Social Housing