Welcome to WISH South East

Hello! I’m Rebecca Sandhu and I’m currently the Director of Customer Excellence at Plentific, a leading Property Solutions Company dedicated to enhancing the property operations of various social housing clients. With nearly 15 years of experience in the sector, including a significant tenure at L&Q Housing, I’ve had the privilege of witnessing firsthand the transformative impact of effective property management on resident experiences.

At Plentific, my role centers on overseeing Client Management and our Customer Excellence Hub, where I work tirelessly to ensure the success of our social housing clients. My mission is to streamline operations and elevate the quality of services provided, making a real difference in the lives of residents.

I joined WISH (Women in Social Housing) because I believe in the power of community and the importance of supporting one another. WISH creates an incredible platform where women come together to share their experiences and learn from each other. Each event I’ve attended has been a source of inspiration and growth, reinforcing the idea that collaboration can lead to meaningful change.

A significant part of my motivation for joining WISH is my desire to help women navigate their careers in social housing. I’m passionate about sharing my journey and the lessons I’ve learned along the way. Together, we can empower one another to achieve our professional goals and break down barriers in our industry.

I am also thrilled to have been selected as a Board Member for the South East region of WISH. This opportunity allows me to contribute even more to our community, advocating for women in social housing and working to create an inclusive environment where everyone can thrive.

As I embark on this new journey, I’m eager to connect with fellow professionals, share insights and foster a network of support that uplifts us all. Let’s continue to champion excellence and create a brighter future for women in our field!

Thank you for taking the time to read my story. I look forward to connecting with you all and sharing our experiences in this ever-evolving sector.

My name is Josie currently working as Associate Director at Build Recruitment, I started off as a delivery consultant 3 years ago and worked hard to climb the ladder and be where I am today at Director level, I aspire to women within the sector who are reaching levels of opportunities through hard work and driven attitudes.

I work with a mixture of contractors and clients to help support their recruitment needs and support businesses with offering services to provide them with trade operatives and advice in the sector. I feel lucky to have the opportunity to work in an environment where I get to meet with such inspirational and different personalities of people at different levels, I have built many relationships so far in my career and am continuing to grow my network in the social housing sector.

“I am over the moon to be joining such a powerful organisation that empowers women in our sector of social housing! I look forward to all the events to come and getting stuck in.”

Mia has worked in the social housing industry for almost a decade; she specialises in building surveying, compliance and building safety.  She is now responsible for building safety at Town and Country Housing which involves ensuring that compliance is achieved and that residents are provided with safe homes.

Whilst working, she continued to pursue her passion in construction by achieving an MSc in Building Surveying.  Mia is very ambitious and is never afraid to explore new ideas and loves a challenge.

Mia’s WISH is to promote and motivate more women to consider technical careers by sharing her journey within the sector.

‘’I am honoured to be part of such an inspirational team of women and I can’t wait to be part of this journey.’’

After 15 years in social housing, I’ve stepped into the training and safety world, where I now help shape practical, high-impact programmes that support sectors closely linked to housing and construction. I work with Rescue 2 as Training Manager, developing courses that sharpen skills, strengthen safety culture, and keep people confident in challenging environments.

My housing roots are in Financial Inclusion, Income Recovery, and Wellbeing and Inclusion, and that curiosity for what helps people thrive has never left. I continue to champion women’s health, especially menopause awareness, supported by my training as a Menopause Mentor and Mental Health First Aider.

I have been part of the South East WISH Board for over a year, and I still love the energy, connection, and generosity that runs through this community. Even though my career has taken me into a new industry, my commitment to the housing world remains strong. WISH feels like the perfect bridge: a place to share experience, spark ideas, and stay connected to the brilliant women shaping the sector’s future.

I’m thrilled to be joining the Board of Women in Social Housing (WISH), an organisation whose values and purpose truly resonate with me.

With over 25 years’ experience in People & Culture, I’m passionate about creating inclusive, high-performing workplaces where everyone’s voice is heard and people feel seen, valued, and empowered to thrive. My background in Business Psychology has given me a deep appreciation for what motivates people and how to shape cultures that bring out the best in them.

In my current role as Associate Director at PML Group, I work with leaders who want to energise their people, build purpose-driven workplaces, and turn potential into performance. I love helping organisations grow through collaboration, honesty, and a good dose of fun—because meaningful change doesn’t have to be complicated.

As part of the WISH Board, I’m excited to help champion women at every stage of their careers—boosting confidence, breaking barriers, and inspiring the next generation to see social housing and construction as sectors where they can belong and succeed.

I truly believe in the strength of community, shared learning, and collective voices—and I’m looking forward to connecting, listening, and making a difference together.

Hi, I am Sophie, I am an Associate Director for Daniel Owen – a specialist agency for the Property Services / Housing Sector.

I joined 10 years ago and have worked with Local Authorities, Housing Associations, Contractors and different groups in association, to support with hiring, getting people opportunities in the sector, progression plans and social value within communities.

I’ve met so many incredible people across the sector and have learnt more and more about how different areas of Housing work and am continuously learning about how the industry is changing and adapting.

WISH is such a fantastic organisation, and I am so thrilled to be a part of the journey moving forward to keep the voice and vision going.

I want to connect with as many women in the industry, to keep empowering the success, ensure more women are coming into the sector in all capacities from Trades to Housing Officers, to Senior Management and make sure it’s seen as a fantastic industry to join and contribute to.

Meeting and networking with people in WISH have already been inspiring and I am hoping to build others confidence, along with my own, to create an amazing group and community for everyone in Housing.

My name is Francesca and I’m currently working as a Marketing Executive at Amber Construction. Having worked for a number of main contractors, I’ve developed a strong understanding of the construction industry and the importance of effective communication and brand representation within it.

I’m passionate about inspiring women in construction, both in office-based roles and on-site, encouraging more visibility and confidence for women across all areas of the industry.

Through my role on the WISH board, I’m excited to bring my marketing skills to the network, helping to promote events, share stories and continue to grow awareness of the amazing work being done by women in construction.

Simal Govindia is a Social Housing Solicitor with over three years of experience in the Housing sector. She regularly advises landlords—particularly housing associations—on tenancy enforcement, anti-social behaviour, and compliance with statutory obligations. Through this work, she has seen how women in the sector, whether as professionals or tenants, face unique challenges.

Simal has supported housing providers in cases involving domestic abuse, where safeguarding female tenants was a priority. She has also mentored junior female colleagues navigating the legal profession, helping them build confidence and resilience in a traditionally male-dominated environment.

Passionate about promoting gender equality and supporting women in housing, Simal strongly resonates with WISH’s mission to uplift and connect women across the sector. She says, “I’d like to see more women—especially those from underrepresented backgrounds—feel confident stepping into leadership roles in housing.” Based in South East London, Simal is keen to contribute to WISH’s work and strengthen its local impact.

Bridging the gap and supporting women in likeminded workspaces is something I’m truly passionate about. As a Business Development Manager at Shellen, I focus on building strong relationships and really listening to clients’ needs. We deliver passive fire protection solutions mainly within social housing, but also across other sectors. Being part of the chain that saves lives and keeps people safe is something I’m incredibly proud of. Working in a male-dominated industry, I’m committed to championing other women—and as a mum, I’m all about balancing work, family, and making a difference.

Hi! I’m Abbie, Group Business Development Manager at Trail Group, a main contractor working across the built environment to help deliver smarter, safer and better quality homes.

I’ve worked within the social housing sector for the past 6 years, building relationships and working alongside local authorities, housing associations, contractors and partners across the industry. My role gives me the opportunity to meet people from all corners of the sector and understand the challenges, opportunities and ideas shaping the future of our homes and communities.

Social housing is particularly close to my heart. Having grown up in a social housing property myself, I’ve seen first hand the difference that having a safe, secure and well maintained home can make. It’s something that has given me a real personal connection to the sector and continues to drive the work I do today.

Joining the WISH South East Board feels like a natural extension of something I’m passionate about - championing women and creating opportunities for us to connect, learn from one another and progress within what is still a predominantly male industry.

I’m really excited to be part of WISH, to bring my own experiences to the Board and most importantly, to meet and support more brilliant women working across housing!

Hi, I’m Mia, an Apprentice Quantity Surveyor at United Infrastructure, a Tier 1 main contractor specialising in social housing!

 I’ve worked in the social housing industry for the past six years, starting my career as a Project Administrator before progressing to Document Controller and then moving into the Commercial team as an Apprentice Quantity Surveyor. My journey so far has given me the opportunity to experience different sides of the industry, meet some amazing people and learn so much along the way!

 Throughout my career, I’ve been very lucky to learn from some incredible and inspiring leaders who have supported me and helped shape where I am today. I’m now passionate about sharing the knowledge I’ve gained, supporting others and hopefully inspiring the next generation of women and future leaders within our industry.

I’m so excited to be part of WISH and to connect with even more amazing women across the sector! I’m looking forward to bringing my own experiences, enthusiasm and ideas to the WISH community, whilst also learning from the incredible women around me. I’d love to get involved, support others wherever I can, share my own journey and hopefully encourage more young women to see the opportunities that a career in social housing and construction can offer!