‘An inspiration for so many years’ – a message of thanks to Jon Lord

By Charlie Norman

As I step into the role of GMHP Chair, I want to pay special tribute to our outgoing Chair Jon Lord’s immense contribution to improving collaboration between providers in Greater Manchester, and the hugely positive impact that has had on our communities.

Jon had the foresight 10 years ago to galvanize us all into working more closely together, convening the CEOs of the lead housing associations across Greater Manchester and supporting the first Mayoral campaigns.

Since then, his stewardship of this coalition of the willing has been remarkable – building momentum to do more to tackle entrenched issues such as poverty and homelessness, and also to build on our collective ambitions to do more.

With his support, we have worked really well together in a unique partnership to build more homes and opportunities, and to support GMCA, the GM Health and Social Care Partnership and the 10 districts to ensure GM is a place where people can grow up, get on in life and grow old well. Our partnership is now at the heart of long-term housing, health and placemaking strategy in the region. It’s something all our members can be proud of – and Jon must take so much credit for that.

And crucially, our colleagues across the partnership really value the spirit of working together, at scale, for greater impact – this ethos is right at the heart of what GMHP is about, and Jon must also take a huge amount of credit for instilling that.

Jon’s good humour, integrity and tenacity has been an inspiration for so many years – certainly a hard act to follow, but one that has set the tone for working across the system without barriers, doing the very best for our communities and ultimately playing our part in making Greater Manchester a great place to start well, live well and age well.

We still have much to do, but what an amazing contribution from a chap who certainly does like to do things differently around here! Thanks so much, Jon.