Top GIS Housing Officer Links Up With Oxford Data Consultancy

In his 3 years at Trafford, Rick moved the organisation from one that knew nothing about GIS to a housing association that now takes GIS seriously within areas across the business from Asset Management to Neighbourhoods and Developments. The trust is now seen as one of the leading associations in the use of GIS for day to day business process design and utilising spatial analysis to inform strategic decision making.

Rick realized early on that very few housing associations actually had anything to do with GIS so was instrumental, along with Alex Hill at Plus Dane HA, Steve Litchfield at Orbit and Andrew Bradley from Sovereign in reestablishing Gi4 Housing, a user group for HA’s who were already using GIS or looking to utilise GIS.

Previously Rick had worked for Cheshire Police as their GIS Administrator where he led on a force wide GIS Procurement and Implementation project and a CCTV Mapping project which achieved national recognition. For his efforts at Cheshire, Rick received a Chief Constables commendation as well as a medal from the Prime Minister for his assistance in the Olympic Games Torch relay.

When asked why Rick had left Trafford he said “I had seen the solutions ODC were offering and how they had been tailored to fit housing associations so when Craig approached me it really wasn’t a difficult decision” Rick added “In the past 3 years Trafford have utilised GIS in a whole range of ways, to a point where I would like to think they are one of the most efficient HA’s in the country”

Craig Godwin, Oxford Data Consultancy’s Managing Director said “We are delighted to have Rick join us. Not only does he complement our existing services but his in-depth knowledge of the trials and tribulations HA’s are going through will enable us to offer a fully comprehensive service.”

ODC published a booklet in 2016 called “The Benefits of a GIS to Housing Associations”, listing a range of suggestions as to how GIS can be used. It can be downloaded for free from here. www.odc.co.uk/free-downloads/

Image: Craig Godwin (left) and Rick Thompson