Tom Murtha

As the Chair of housing charity HACT, Tom is passionate about supporting those in need and ensuring the housing sector is doing everything it can to support communities.

“I was raised in social housing and my family had been homeless,” explains Tom. “I have always believed that a decent house and a good education are essential if we are to increase life chances and opportunities of those in need. So I was extremely lucky to find a job that enabled me to work in an area that was important to me and to give something back to those in need. To put it simply, to help others help themselves.”

He has worked in housing and care since completing his studies at Goldsmiths in 1976. “I was the first of my family to go to university and I had no idea what to expect. It is a cliché I know but Goldsmiths was a life changing experience. I would not have missed it for the world. I met many wonderful people from very different backgrounds many of whom are still friends.”

Having earned his degree in History, Tom stayed at Goldsmiths to study for his teaching qualification. Initially planning to be a teacher, Tom moved to Leicester and ended up becoming a community worker instead, working with people on the margins of society. He has since worked in the social housing sector for the last 30 years, where his roles have included running one of the largest housing and care organisations in the country.

Tom has also been passionate about pushing the diversity agenda. “One of the achievements I am most proud of is after the civil unrest in the inner cities in 1981, I helped to introduce the issue of equality and diversity to the housing sector when there was still major discrimination on the grounds of race, gender, disability and sexuality.” He has gone on to serve on a number of national committees, focusing on regeneration and diversity.

He sums up his drive and passion for the career path he has followed: “The thing I enjoy most about my job is the opportunity to make a difference to the lives of people and communities, and to give people back their dignity. I have worked with wonderful and inspirational people who genuinely transform lives and communities. We spend a lot of time at work and it is important to find a job that you can enjoy and is rewarding. I was lucky enough to do that.”