Working with us

David Chisnall

“You could say I fell into housing by accident. After graduating with a business degree, I did some travelling and then temporary work, which led to my first role with Affinity Sutton.

As a Trainee, I started out mainly job shadowing, but it’s not long before you’re given real responsibility. The business is very supportive of on the job learning. Over time you become more independent and more confident.

I work in the centralised Health and Safety team, based in Haywards Heath. Our duties are largely advisory – the majority of our time is spent providing guidance to colleagues across every part of the business.

Life for us is complex because we are protecting thousands of homes, residents and tenants – in addition to our own workplaces and employees.

The team is tasked with everything from ensuring that a new housing development meets fire regulations to checking where a resident can put up a bouncy castle for a kids party. In this advisory capacity, we regularly travel to sites around the country to carry out risk assessments – on average I spend two days a week out of the office, which is great because it provides so much flexibility to get out and meet new people.

In my role you have to be incredibly thorough in piecing together the facts and highly professional in the judgements you make. Ultimately, my investigations, assessments and advice play an important part in ensuring our customers get the standard of service and housing they deserve from us.

I liked my previous role in Revenue Services, but after two and a half years I felt I’d achieved all I could in it. When the Trainee position came up my manager encouraged me to go for it, as she recognised it was a good match to my abilities.

Affinity Sutton are also supporting me with my study for the Nebosh National General certificate  – the recognised professional qualification for the Health and Safety industry. Soon, I’ll be able to drop the Trainee from the job title and start taking on more and more responsibility.

The training is excellent, so if you’re willing to learn and you can embrace change, then just about any career becomes open to you.”

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