My first boss

What was the job

I was a tenancy assistant (later a tenancy officer) at Mid Devon District Council.

Who was the boss?

Hedley Steele, who was senior tenancy officer. He’s worked for the council for 30 years, and is now tenancy manager. He is equally well-known throughout Mid Devon for his footballing exploits, including his part in Tiverton Town’s run to the FA Vase final at Wembley in 1993. I think he started as a rent collector, so he knows everyone on the patch.

Any bad memories?

I can honestly say there are none, though you couldn’t sneak a mistake past him. No matter how thorough you’d been, he would always find something you’d overlooked.
He managed us like he used to play football: rugged in the tackle and incisive with his distribution.

And good ones?

No matter how busy he was, Hedley would always find time to discuss a problem. He is a good teacher with a very dry Yorkshire wit.

What did he teach you?

He managed us like he played football: rugged in the tackle and incisive with his distribution

Virtually everything I know about antisocial behaviour. Hedley is a great proponent of attention to detail and this is the only way to tackle nuisance behaviour. As almost all cases have the potential to end up in court, accurate recording of all information is key. But he also taught me that flexibility is essential. Unlike rent arrears, say, there is no set procedure or timescale in antisocial behaviour cases. Each one is different, so you have to be flexible and sometimes innovative to deal with them.

So he’s your mentor?

Certainly. I’m sure he would always be prepared to give me advice. Drawing on his experience and following his guidance is what’s got me here.

And you use those lessons in your new job?

Absolutely. I have brought many ideas and working practices from Mid Devon to Teign Housing. We have a great team here, and people are willing to commit to tackling antisocial behaviour. Teign Housing’s management has already responded to tenants’ wishes by hiring me as antisocial behaviour officer. Our tenants can rest easy that we have zero tolerance for antisocial behaviour and its perpetrators.

The boss says …

Mark joined us as a tenancy assistant within a specialist team that we had formed to deal with antisocial behaviour. You instinctively know when people have found a role that suits their talents and Mark developed quickly to become an efficient and valued member of the team. Away from the work, his sense of humour and, in particular, his liking for Pot Noodles made a lasting impression on us all.