In this episode of Truth About Public Sector, host Hannah Quinn-Hill speaks with Anne Costain, Chief Financial Officer at Stonewater, one of the UK’s largest social housing providers. Managing 40,000 homes for over 93,000 people, Stonewater delivers affordable rentals, shared ownership, supported living, and specialist housing for vulnerable groups—all with a mission to create thriving communities.

Anne shares her journey from global corporate finance into the housing sector, reflecting on how treasury expertise and transformation leadership prepared her for the unique challenges of social housing. Together, they explore Stonewater’s strategic priorities.

Listeners will gain insight into the realities of CFO leadership in housing: influencing decisions beyond finance, driving community investment, and ensuring strategies translate into tangible impact for residents. Anne also discusses the importance of values alignment, governance, and communication at board level, while offering practical advice for aspiring leaders in the public and not-for-profit sectors.

This conversation reveals the truth about leading financial strategy in housing—where numbers meet purpose, and finance becomes a driver of social change. As Anne says, "Commercial for a Purpose".