From working in the UK welfare system, then a hostel for homeless men and on to facilitating the closure of a number of long-stay institutions as CEO of a provider agency, Gordon has long experience of working in situations where systems that work well for the mainstream don’t work out for those who, for whatever reason, are on the margins. Society then misses out on the considerable contributions this group has to offer.
Now a New Zealand Citizen and having had opportunities to work collaboratively with disabled people and families on initiatives like Enabling Good Lives, Choice in Community Living, Equitable Access to Wellbeing and establishing new qualifications in Employment and Positive Behaviour Support, Gordon appreciates the importance of being an ally to disabled people and ensuring it is their voice and those of their families that sets the agenda for change.
He has also worked extensively with a range of providers and NZDSN to assist their quest to transform services to align with best practice and is delighted to be part of such a great team of leaders developing Te Pou Waiora.
Gordon also increasingly recognises the impact of colonisation and the importance of also being an ally to tangata whenua in their quest for equity in accordance with Te Tiriti o Waitangi. As a Romany searching his own family journey, he is conscious of the impact of prejudice and societal pressures on the way we live.
His experience is that without having choice or control about where you live, who you live with and how you spend your time, it is really difficult to get the life you want.
Gordon qualified to be a member of the Chartered Institute of Housing (MCIH) and Master of Business Administration (MBA).
