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Staff Spotlight: Julie Lorraine

March is drawing to an end and so that means it’s time for another installment of our new monthly Staff Spotlight feature created to give you the opportunity to get to know some of the people at Mobysoft who keep things ticking over and have helped make us the trusted predictive analytics partner amongst social housing providers. This month sees us put Mobysoft strategic director, Julie Lorraine on the spot to find out what really makes her tick…

How did you come to work in social housing?

Pure “happenstance”. I was a teacher who made the switch to training adults and subsequently landed a job as National Training & Development Manager for Hanover. That was way back In 1991.

Describe yourself in 3 words:

Fair, Detailed and curious.

Can you tell us a bit more about yourself and your past experience within the social housing sector?

I was lucky to work for an enlightened CEO (he had 5 daughters ) which meant he was very supportive of development opportunities for women (long before it became more the norm). He sponsored me to do an MBA then some years later another enlightened CEO sponsored me to do a further masters in public finance at Warwick. Following that I became a chartered public accountant which ultimately led to roles as CFO in both local authorities and RSLs. Social Housing has been a passion for me for over 30 years and I still love it.

What does your role at Mobysoft entail?

Understanding the sector structure and challenges and anticipating wants and needs. I help in translating the current and emerging landscape picture to enable those within the organisation to comprehend the big issues through their own respective professional lenses, be it a particular product lens, or maybe data science, sales, or customer success.

What is the most interesting part of your job?

Meeting different people. I enjoy attending major sector events and networking and sharing knowledge with other professionals from across the sector.

What are your biggest challenges at the moment?

Generating momentum and implementing agility so that across the Mobysoft business we can respond quickly to the sector’s ever-changing landscape.

What’s most meaningful part of your job?

Making a difference.

How do you measure the success of the outcomes directly influenced via your role?

Wholly by the efforts & success of others!

What would you say are the biggest challenges faced by social landlords in the current climate?

People – staff and customer satisfaction, safety and success.

Planet – properties and communities that are safe, successful and sustainable.

Profit  – meeting business plan targets to enable further investment in new housing.

Working on anything interesting at the moment?

Everything I work on is interesting!

How would you describe Mobysoft and what it does to the uninitiated?

Mobysoft makes the complex simple. We provide technology that takes the guesswork out of the day to day; accurately, ethically and equitably supporting first class social housing professionals for first class landlord’s to deliver first class services to tenants.

If you could wave a magic wand and change one aspect of the social housing sector overnight, what would it be?

More social housing for those in need.

What has been your proudest achievement in Housing?

Providing specialist accommodation enabling people with severe disabilities to live independently near to their loved ones.

What has been your proudest achievement at Mobysoft?

Teaching Derek [Steele – Mobysoft founder] something he didn’t already know!

What are your other passions outside housing?

My little dog Alfie, being the Chair of the Board for Unitas, and my position as trustee of a Navy veterans charity.

How do you unwind after work?

Walking my lovely dog, Alfie (please see above).

What is your ideal holiday?

Going to Antarctica

Dean Quinn
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