Interview: Notting Hill Genesis, UK IT Industry Awards finalist
"Notting Hill Genesis are leading in sector for our digital platform."
Technology is one of the fastest-growing industries in the world, and there are hundreds of events dedicated to recognising success - but only one boasts the professionalism, scale and recognition to lead the way.
The UK IT Industry Awards are the largest and most well-known event in the technology industry calendar. Owned and operated by BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT and Computing, the awards enjoy a level of professionalism and industry knowledge not seen at other shows.
This year's winners will be announced at a live awards ceremony on Wednesday 9th November in London.
One of the finalists is Notting Hill Genesis, which has reached the shortlist for two categories: Best Technology Refresh Project of the Year and Digital Transformation Project of the Year.
We caught up with Richard Holland, Head of IT Systems and Cyber Security at Notting Hill Genesis, to find out more about his company's work.
Richard is a strategic leader focused on technology, cyber security and digital transformation to provide smart and cost-effective solutions for both internal and external customers. He loves new technology and how to apply it into the business world.
In Notting Hill Genesis, Richard is responsible for leading IT teams with a high performance culture, delivering system improvements, intelligent platforms and cyber defence for residents and staff.
Computing: Please provide some background on your company for our readers.
Richard Holland: Created in 2018 from two well-established housing associations, Notting Hill Genesis is now one of the largest housing associations in London and the south east. We own and manage more than 66,000 homes and employ around 2,000 staff. We provide homes across a range of tenures and are committed to continuing to deliver housing that is affordable to all. Our roots reach back to the 1960s when our legacy organisations were established by local people who shared a similar vision: to house west London's working poor, providing them a home from which to build themselves and their families a secure future.
CTG: What makes you different from other technology companies?
RH: Notting Hill Genesis are leading in-sector for our digital platform, work-wise, and for securing information on our customers by providing innovative solutions for staff in order to provide better places for all.
The way we approach cyber security health across our defence-in-depth strategy, by continuously scanning and protecting our information for residents, is considered leading by our peers and Microsoft.
CTG: What one company achievement in the last 12 months are you most proud of?
RH: Delivering a continuous single cybersecurity ecosystem and dashboard, which has reduced risk profile, improved security posture, measures security health and cyber risk across our entire system estate. It is so innovative that Microsoft are asking NHG and Quorum Cyber to show other public sector and housing association customers how this is done.
CTG: What are you working on this year?
RH: The team is now focused on delivering data security across the housing association and thinking of innovative ways to know where are data resides and how to protect it.
CTG: Why are events like the UK IT Industry Awards important to the IT industry?
RH: It is important to demonstrate the importance of cybersecurity for the housing sector and place it as a priority for protecting information and residents, whilst delivering digital products to help people succeed.
The awards also show how innovative we are as a nation compared against countries across the world.
The UK IT Industry Awards will take place on 9th November in London. Click here to view the shortlist and here to book your table.