Expert Housing Consultant and Trainer Michael Guest

Jane Follett

Michael Guest delivered the Preparing for the Competence & Conduct Standard – session with exceptional credibility and expertise. His facilitation style was engaging, thoughtful, and clearly grounded in deep subject knowledge. Michael created an inclusive learning environment where the group felt encouraged to participate, ask questions, and reflect meaningfully on the material. The way he brought the Competence & Conduct Standard to life through practical examples and clear explanations made the session both relevant and highly impactful. I left feeling confident in my understanding and genuinely motivated to apply the learning in my role.

- Housing Performance and Training Officer | New Forest District Council

Laura Grugeon

It was a great introduction to the importance of scrutiny for the panel, and for me it was very helpful as a springboard for the logistics of getting a panel properly established

- Resident Engagement Manager Tandridge District Council

Sarah Boustead

Extremely useful- thanks

- Human Resources Officer Eden Housing Association

Fiona Dodsworth

Thank you, really useful

- Housing Partnerships Officer Newcastle upon Tyne Council

Christina Bagan-Jones

To say how wonderful we thought Michael’s training day was yesterday. On a personal level, I found the various sections quite fascinating (and indeed would love to have further days looking at some of the topics in greater detail) but also I think our attendees really enjoyed themselves and found it useful as well. In fact, I had previously had a message from one attendee concerned that the day was ‘too long to spend on Zoom’, who then emailed me halfway through the day to say ‘I take it all back, this is brilliant’.

- Resident Involvement Officer | Epping Forest District Council

Tony Bishop

I loved the training. Really engaging and your knowledge was excellent..thanks

- People Director | Housing Plus Group

Lily Goodwin

Michael supported the SW9 Community Housing Resident Scrutiny Panel at every step of their first review - from training up to report writing. Our residents were very impressed with the training and guidance they received from Michael. Thanks to Michael's support, our residents felt fully capable and equipped with the knowledge and skills they needed to carry out the review. The result was a report which was highly commended by our Senior Management Team.

- Resident Engagement and Communications Officer | SW9 Community Housing

Nicola Marsh

I am confident that the Housing Officers are now armed to deal with ASB more effectively.

- Housing Manager | Brentwood Borough Council

Emma Lewis

Wonderful training! I came back to work and ran a lap of honour around the office holding my course certificate high in the air with pride.

- Community Liaison and Support Officer | University of Hertfordshire

Patience Ohabuiro

This is a very engaging course with practical tools to use in the workplace.

- Housing Officer | Hexagon Housing Association Ltd

Susmita Sen

Michael Guest supported Network Stadium in establishing its first Scrutiny Panel. Michael provided excellent support and training to staff and residents and has had a significant role in developing Network Stadium’s robust and pragmatic approach to scrutiny. Residents and staff have been highly complimentary of Michael, stating that he has given them the confidence and skills needed. We look forward to working with Michael in the future as he continues to support our formal Scrutiny Panel in their next project.

- Executive Director | Network Stadium Housing

Abi Oguntokun

Trainer Michael Guest was fantastic. Very informative and thought provoking.

- Resident Service Manager | London Borough of Soutwark

Martyn Hale

Pace was right and I liked the way the audience was drawn into discussing each point. Michael's delivery was positive and he was very enthusiastic about the subject; always a bonus with a trainer!

- Chief Executive | St Peter's (Saltley) Housing Association

Kirsty Price

Amazing training

- Service Charges Officer | GreenSquare Group

Jim Page

Good governance course, real interaction with plenty of learning points that I will apply to my role

- Governance Officer | A2 Dominion

Ian Haines

We engaged Michael Guest to undertake an Independent Board Appraisal Exercise. Michael initially attended our Away Day to go through the process. He has a very engaging manner and our Board Members were very impressed with the professional way he put things across and worked with them to gain their confidence in what was a new area for most. The results and feedback we received have undoubtedly benefited the workings of the Board and our governance set up in general. Michael also provided me with invaluable advice and support throughout.

- Governance Manager | Welwyn Hatfield Community Housing Trust

Alexandra Owuadey

Thank you once again for an amazing training course

- Design and Build Contract Administrator | Quadrant Construction

Kuldip Walters

Excellent training - fab supporting material.

- Neighborhood Operations Manager | Asra Housing Group

Stacey Mallen

A thought-provoking, knowledgeable and enjoyable course.

- Housing Assistant | Castle Vale Community Housing Association

Nasrullah Khah

Very useful advice for understanding housing management and other relevant issues.

- Resident Scrutiny Panel | CHS Group

Louise Taylor

I liked Michael's relaxed teaching style.

- Lecturer | Moulton College

Laurence Winkworth

Very thorough. Michael Guest was very relaxed and conversational in style, made learning and participating very easy.

- Involved Resident | Newlon Housing

Hong Tu

I wish all consultants were like you.

- Learning and Development Officer | Tower Hamlets Homes

Richard Laval

Michael Guest has a huge fund of knowledge and experience that he brings to the service that he provides, but he is still willing to try new innovations for appraisal and debate.

- Chair | Thrive Homes

Mary Cribbin

Michael Guest provided advice and support to us in the preparation of a winning Supported Housing proposal. We were very pleased with his excellent service and importantly, he kept things straightforward. No consultant-speak!

- Head of Operations | Irish Centre Housing

Brendan Ryan

We liked the pragmatic common-sense approach brought to governance. Michael also did a great job in balancing the aspirations of tenants and with the practicalities and legalities of governance models. His approach to developing our approach to the company secretary role was similarly practical and digestible.

- Chief Executive | East Kent Housing

Chris JH England

Michael Guest presented a “Leadership & Management” training day to our Board. Our Board is comprised of a mix of Local Authority Nominees, Independents & Tenants and as a consequence we have a diverse mix of skills & experience – not an easy audience! Michael pitched the session just right and as a consequence the day was not only informative but a pleasure also. I am sure we shall be using Michael Guest Associates in the future.

- Chair | Newport City Homes

Elaine Warwick

I like Michael Guest. A very good trainer.

- Resident Involvement Co-ordinator | Bedfordshire Pilgrims Housing Association

Brian Summerson

I enjoyed your training session; it gave me an excellent guide in helping plan the needs for our future governance.

- Chief Executive | Arches Housing

Jennifer Platt

Michael Guest provided sound advice and support to Housing Solutions’ new Residents’ Panel over the past year. Michael’s knowledge of the housing sector is very extensive and the training has been helpful and effective for both residents and staff in setting up the Scrutiny Panel. Michael’s flexible approach also meant that the training fits in well with staff and resident’s timetables. Michael's input has been highly valuable over the past few months

- Community Liaison Officer | Housing Solutions

Pam Batten

The advice and support we receive is very thorough and helpful in every way.

- Lead Resident Inspector | Paragon Community Housing Group

Nilda Norman

Informative, clear, practical training.

- Tenant Inspector | Elmbridge Housing Trust

Graham Eddy

I first met Michael in 2009 when I worked at Tower Hamlets Homes. Michael is a first rate Training Consultant who always thinks about the client before his own needs. His knowledge of Social Housing is second to none and I have no hesitation in recommending him. Top qualities: Great Results, personable and expert.

- Associate Tutor and Moderator | Creating Careers Ltd

Jane McCarthy-Penman

MGA have worked with EHL over the last 18 months on Board Member and Tenant Representative Training covering a range of subjects affecting ALMO boards and social housing generally. This training was well received and was found to be pitched appropriately. Michael has also undertaken the Chair's appraisal which the Chair found really useful and objective. MGA have now undertaken work on the remuneration of board directors, producing detailed analysis advice and recommendations.

- Company Secretary | Eastbourne Homes Ltd

Andy Selman

MGA worked with Kirklees Neighbourhood Housing to put on a board awayday on Finance and Business Planning, and they were a pleasure to work with: They paid careful attention to the style and content of the session we requested and were clear and helpful about the administrative details. Most importantly, board members have been very positive about the event, commenting on the usefulness of the presentations and groupwork, and Michael Guest's approachability and lack of jargon. This was our first use of MGA and we found it constructive and good value for money.

- Director of Business Services and Company Secretary | Kirklees Neighbourhood Housing

Gill Barber

The tenants and leaseholders thought they were really worthwhile preparing for scrutiny sessions. My colleagues and I thought they were very informative.

- Tenant Participation Manager | Dacorum Borough Council

Alethea Dougall

At Swan Michael was involved in the delivery of our Regional Committee Induction Training Programme which was a huge success.

- Head of Residents' Involvement & Community Development | Swan Housing Group

Professor John Tarn

The Riverside Group has retained Michael Guest Associates to help set up an appraisal and training scheme for its board members. This has enabled the organisation to develop a systematic programme of review and training so that there is now a team of chairs, themselves part of the system, but who are able to conduct meaningful appraisals of their own board members. It has enabled the organisation to pinpoint weaknesses and areas where training would be appropriate, as well as developing a meaningful dialogue right across the organisation. This back-up work has been provided by Michael and his colleagues. It has resulted in a more professional approach to board membership. I doubt that we could have made such progress without such objective and professional help from outside. It has been immensely rewarding for the whole organisation.

- Group Chairman | The Riverside Group

Peter Thomas

Michael Guest Associates consultant Amanda Pyper has brought a breath of fresh air to our board development. Her approachable, bubbly and flexible approach to the board appraisal process has instilled confidence and enthusiasm amongst board members. They found Amanda highly professional but also easy to talk to and she was quick to identify strengths and opportunities for development.

- Chief Executive | South Lakes Housing

Ian Broughton

Michael Guest Associates have advised and supported Cestria over a period of two years with our board member appraisal and board development programmes as well as a recent comprehensive Governance Review. We have found them to be highly professional, yet approachable. We enjoy our relationship with MGA.

- Chief Executive | Cestria Community Housing Association

Pat Wright

We all felt that the workshop on the Housing Revenue Account was the best we had ever had and some of us go back fourteen years!

- Chair | Waverly Tenants' Panel

John Giesen

MGA have been engaged with us over our first three year period facilitating a successful programme relating to Change Management/Leadership Development of our Executive and Management Teams as well as personal coaching and staff training. Shelagh Smith, the MGA consultant undertaking this project, has been an important element to our successful journey so far. Her knowledge and enthusiasm make her a most valued colleague for us. This programme is ongoing and has proven invaluable in our search to develop as a first class organisation.

- Chief Executive | Broxbourne Housing Association

John Swanton

Michael Guest Associates have provided very effective advice and support to the council across a range of issues. These include development of our housing strategy and business plan, review of the Tenant Participation Compact, service reorganisation, production of publicity material, performance planning and policy reviews as well as advice and support to the Tenants' Panel.

- Head of Housing | Waverley Borough Council

Paul Silk

Hanover delegates found the DIY Possession Workshop run by Richard Paris of Michael Guest Associates interesting and entertaining and came away confident about putting what they had learnt into practice.

- Head of Retirement Housing (North) | Hanover Housing Association

Paul Rouhan

Thank you, Michael Guest Associates for providing us with cutting edge training interventions on new housing initiatives. This has included Best Value, stock transfers and choice based lettings, as well as project management and communications.

- Head of Learning and Development | Tower Hamlets Homes

Ken Bury

Hyndburn Homes found it very useful to carry out a Mock Inspection to ensure that the organisation was improving its services to customers and adopting best practice in all areas. Michael Guest Associates helped us to focus on some key areas of work where performance needed to improve. We were officially inspected some months later and the work proved to be invaluable.

- Managing Director | Hyndburn Homes

Margaret Waweru

Michael Guest Associates provided high quality training at a very reasonable cost. Feedback from participants has been positive.

- Training Administrator | St Mungo Community Housing Association Ltd

Mike Wilkins

Michael Guest Associates provided the board with effective guidance on thinking through the future business strategy of the association. Quality training was also provided on the board's corporate governance responsibilities and where their development may be directed in future.

- Chief Executive | Ducane Housing Association

Paul Bloss

Eastend Homes board members found the training session on running a housing association to be stimulating, informative and well presented.

- Chief Executive | Eastend Homes

Graham Hogg

Michael Guest Associates have worked closely with West Wiltshire over three years. Invaluable help has been provided in carrying out a homelessness review and developing a strategy as well assisting the Council in achieving a fit for purpose Housing Strategy. The consultancy also worked very effectively in helping the Homes 4 West Wilts Partnership to consult with stakeholders on the development of its Choice Based Lettings policy and approach. We have enjoyed working with Michael Guest Associates on these projects.

- Director of Housing | Wiltshire Council

Peter Stringer

As a new stock-transfer housing association with a diverse board, a series of weekend training events led by Michael Guest helped us quickly to develop the teamwork ethic and a new set of shared-values for the Trust. These provided a useful springboard to developing our new image, strategy for engaging tenants and our new corporate plan. Michael's unique blend of hands-on and strategic social housing experience coupled with a sense of humour adds real value to the training experience.

- Chief Executive | Golding Homes

Mark Reynolds

During the last year, it was apparent that we needed someone objective to come in and offer us advice on operational issues with one of our Tenant Management Organisations. Michael Guest Associates spent time with us refining the scope of the work and they were subsequently commissioned to undertake the project. It was completed with discretion and sensitivity, which was essential. I was also pleased to say it was completed within time and budget.

- Service Director-Strategic Housing | Oldham Council

Bruce Moore

Michael Guest supported Wolverhampton Homes over an extensive period. He initially carried out training for the shadow board and then provided assistance with the recruitment of independent board members. Michael then carried out a development programme for all board members. He has demonstrated his extensive knowledge of this subject area and board members have benefited from his support and engaging style.

- Chief Executive | Wolverhampton Homes

Dr. Ray Kendall-Corry

That was incredibly informative and helpful

- Head of Engagement and Learning Creative Support Ltd