As a leader in the property industry, Helen Gordon has long recognised the importance of stable housing as a foundation for a successful life. As Chief Executive of Grainger plc, she has championed the company’s partnership with LandAid, ensuring that their work in the housing sector extends to supporting young people at risk of homelessness.
What motivates you to support LandAid as a member of the Patrons Network?
Helen has been familiar with LandAid for many years, recognising its crucial role in tackling youth homelessness. When she joined Grainger in 2015, she was keen for the company to align with a charitable partner whose mission reflected their own values.
“We create foundations for people in life through housing,” Helen explains. “Our main business is providing homes for all ages, but youth homelessness is one of the most critical issues we see. We know that a good home is a foundation for a good life – it influences employment opportunities, education, and health. Sadly, too many young people don’t have that stability, which is why we support LandAid.”
Why does the Patrons Network in particular appeal to you as a means to support LandAid to end youth homelessness?
For Helen, the Patrons Network plays a key role in harnessing the collective power of senior leaders across the property industry.
“The network brings together individuals with years of experience, broad perspectives, and extensive connections,” she says. “As senior leaders, we have the ability to convene, influence, and motivate others to get involved. Our reach – whether through our own organisations or industry contacts – means we can have a real impact in driving support for LandAid’s work.”
You have been a key partner in the development of LandAid’s Build to Rent Pathfinder programme. Tell us more about the programme and your part in it.
Grainger has been instrumental in supporting the Build to Rent Pathfinder programme, which seeks to make more housing available for young people at risk of homelessness. Helen was keen to ensure the initiative wasn’t just a London-centric solution but could be implemented across the UK.
“As a company, we have c.11,100 homes and 5,000 more in the pipeline. It became clear that, with the right intervention from LandAid, some of those homes could be made accessible to young people in need,” Helen explains. “Being a first mover in this initiative was important – not only to show it can work, but to inspire others to follow. I want fellow Patrons to feel they can pick up the phone and ask about our experience so they, too, can be part of the solution.”
What is your advice for how other members of LandAid’s Patrons Network can use their connections to make equally impactful contributions?
Helen encourages other Patrons to think creatively about how they can support LandAid, even if they are not directly involved in residential development.
“The property industry touches so many areas – you might be in retail with empty spaces above shops, or have underused assets elsewhere. The key is to look at where you can provide something better than the alternatives young people currently face, whether that’s sofa surfing or sleeping rough.”
What, in the future, would you like to get out of being a member of the Patrons Network? What extra potential does a network like this have to create social impact?
Helen sees the Patrons Network as a remarkable group of leaders united by a single cause. She hopes to see greater inspiration drawn from the actions of individual Patrons, encouraging others to think bigger about their impact.
“The connections we make within the network reflect the connections we can make to help LandAid,” she says. “Beyond financial support, it’s about leveraging our expertise, influence, and resources to create real, lasting change for young people.”
She also highlights the wider benefits of engagement with LandAid, particularly in fostering social responsibility within organisations.
“We have a generation of employees who want to give something back. LandAid gives them an opportunity to do that – whether through fundraising events like the LandAid SleepOut or hands-on volunteering. It’s not just great for social impact; it’s great for team-building and attracting young talent who want to work for purpose-driven companies.”
A Final Word
Helen’s commitment to LandAid is unwavering. Her leadership in the Patrons Network and direct involvement in the Build to Rent Pathfinder programme make her an outstanding advocate for tackling youth homelessness. Through her efforts, she continues to inspire others in the industry to step up, take action, and use their resources to make a difference.