MBE for long-time ISHA development sub-committee member

Congratulations to Audley English for receiving an MBE in the New Year’s Honours List.

Many of you would know Audley as a long-time ISHA development sub-committee board member, who served from 2010 until his retirement in 2022.

We're pleased Audley has been recognised for services to architecture and sustainability, including co-founding the Society of Black Architects.
Audley recently attended ISHA's 90th Anniversary Celebration and penned these words about the milestone:

"As a former development board member who began serving in 2010 and retired in 2022, I had the pleasure of attending the 90th Anniversary celebration of the Islington & Shoreditch Housing Association (ISHA) at the London Art House in Islington. This event provided a wonderful opportunity to reconnect with past and present board members and gain insights into the organisation's progress.

"Chaired by Mervyn Jones, the event highlighted ISHA's ongoing commitment to addressing building safety, their approach to damp and mould, and their refurbishment program. I was also heartened to learn about ISHA's continue collaboration with the North River Alliance (NRA), assisting smaller housing associations in expanding their housing stock. Ruth Davison, the CEO, shared that despite ISHA being a medium-sized Housing Association, it represented 0.5% of the total number of social rented homes delivered across England in 2022/23.

"Reflecting on my time spent on the board, during which I only missed one meeting, I marvelled at ISHA's achievements as a medium-sized organisation consistently punching above its weight. One of the highlights was ISHA winning the 2015 National Housing Awards for "The Scene," a project that transformed Walthamstow into a residential and entertainment hub with stylish apartments, lively restaurants, shops, and a cinema. Another noteworthy initiative was "The Cube" in Hackney, the tallest Cross Laminated Timber building (CLT), which gained attention for being the first shared ownership scheme to sell for over £1M.

"I continue to be inspired by the diverse representation on the board and at senior staff levels, particularly the BAME mix across all genders. This inclusivity is a valuable example for other Housing Associations, emphasising the importance of community representation at all organisational levels.

“As I progress on my own journey, I am pleased to see that ISHA has robust governance in place to guide them toward their 100th Anniversary.”

You can read more about Audley and his achievements in this article in The Architects Journal.