A Rising Leader in Housing Sustainability Steps Up
Stonewater’s Environmental and Sustainability Business Partner, Emily Stockford (née Batchford), has been appointed to the Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) Futures Board. The appointment recognizes her leadership in sustainability and commitment to advancing environmental and equality initiatives in the housing sector.
The CIH Futures Board, comprising young professionals in housing, was established to support emerging leaders and position housing as an attractive career path. Emily, who began her career through a graduate scheme at Stonewater, has spent the past five years developing sustainability strategies and driving environmental engagement with customers.
“The CIH Futures Board will be the perfect place to develop my impact on sustainability and EDI on a wider scale. Despite Stonewater being at the forefront of developments in both areas, we know we can’t change or improve things in isolation. This appointment will give me the opportunity to influence the wider housing sector by collaborating with like-minded people at the CIH and beyond,” Emily said.
Commitment to Sustainability and Inclusion
Emily’s role at Stonewater includes setting the Customer Experience sustainability strategy, ensuring residents are actively engaged in environmental goals. She has also been a leading advocate for Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI), having chaired Spectrum, Stonewater’s LGBTQ+ forum, for three years.
Beyond her sustainability efforts, Emily will contribute to the CIH Futures Board’s four key foundations:
- Commitment to Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI)
- Increasing Membership in the CIH
- Promoting Housing as a Career of Choice
- Building Stronger Partnerships and Relationships
Stonewater recently launched a new EDI initiative, People Like Me, a campaign celebrating its diverse workforce. This initiative showcases employees’ contributions through personal stories, blogs, and thought leadership, further demonstrating Stonewater’s commitment to inclusivity.
A Broader Impact on Housing Sustainability
Emily’s appointment comes at a crucial time when sustainability in social housing is under increasing scrutiny. As housing providers grapple with net-zero commitments, leaders like Emily play a critical role in embedding environmental responsibility into the sector.
Adam Masters, Assistant Director of Environment & Sustainability at Stonewater, praised her appointment: “Emily will be a fantastic addition to the CIH Futures Board and thoroughly deserves this recognition of her work. Here at Stonewater, she has shown real passion in her leadership of the sustainability agenda and desire to improve things for colleagues and customers, so I’ve no doubt she will be just as impactful in this new role. We wish her all the best and will support Emily and the work of the Board however we can.”
The Future of Sustainable Housing Leadership
The CIH Futures Board provides a platform for emerging leaders to shape the future of housing policy and sustainability practices. Emily’s expertise in both environmental strategy and EDI will be instrumental in driving progressive change across the sector.
With social housing providers under pressure to meet sustainability targets while maintaining affordability and accessibility, leaders like Emily will be key in finding innovative solutions that benefit communities and the environment. Her work at Stonewater and now with CIH Futures places her at the forefront of these critical discussions.
Her appointment is not only a recognition of her contributions so far but also a signal of the growing importance of sustainability leadership in the housing sector. As the industry continues its journey toward a greener, more inclusive future, Emily Stockford’s role in shaping that vision will be one to watch.
