June Riley: A Trailblazer in Public Sector Finance and Social Housing Leadership
June Riley, FCMA MBA, stands out as an influential figure in the realm of public sector finance and charitable organisations, especially in the housing and social care sectors. With a career spanning over three decades, June has consistently combined financial expertise with a passion for social impact. Her commitment to delivering affordable social housing and quality care services is evident in her leadership roles across notable organisations, including Waythrough, Richmond Fellowship, The Barnet Group, and more. This article explores her journey, educational background, career achievements, and enduring dedication to improving social welfare through finance.
Early Education and Foundations
Academic Beginnings
June Riley’s academic journey laid a strong foundation for her illustrious career. She pursued a Bachelor of Science in Institutional Management (Business Administration and Management) at the University of North London from 1986 to 1990. This degree equipped her with essential management and organisational skills, preparing her for the complex environments of public and charitable sectors.
Professional Qualifications
Recognising the value of specialised expertise, June embarked on professional accountancy training by joining the NHS as a graduate trainee shortly after university. From 1990 to 1996, she completed rigorous studies with the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA), earning the distinguished Fellowship (FCMA) designation. This professional credential is a testament to her mastery in financial management and strategic leadership.
Advanced Studies
To enhance her leadership capabilities, June pursued an MBA specialising in Finance and Financial Management Services at the prestigious Alliance Manchester Business School from 2001 to 2004. This advanced qualification provided her with strategic insight and broadened her ability to influence organisational performance on a larger scale.
Career Progression and Impact
Early NHS Experience: Laying the Groundwork
June’s career began in the National Health Service (NHS), where she worked from 1990 as a finance trainee and steadily rose through senior financial roles until 1998. Her time at the Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust and the Royal Brompton & Harefield NHS Foundation Trust saw her overseeing budgets, supporting clinical teams, and collaborating with management to ensure efficient financial control and reporting.
This experience in a complex, high-pressure environment honed her skills in financial governance and stakeholder engagement, critical to her future roles.
Transition to Housing and Social Care Sector
In 1998, June transitioned into the charitable and housing sectors by joining The Depaul Trust, a national charity supporting homeless youth. As Finance Director, she managed financial operations and reported directly to the board, gaining experience in the charity governance environment.
Toynbee Housing Association (1999–2007)
June moved on to Toynbee Housing Association, where she served as Assistant Director of Finance and Company Secretary. During this period, she was responsible for managing the finance department, treasury management, and company secretarial duties supporting the Chair and CEO. She also led major projects implementing housing and finance systems, demonstrating her ability to integrate technology with financial management for operational efficiency.
Leadership at One Housing (2007–2018)
One of the most significant chapters in June’s career was her tenure as Director of Financial Management at One Housing Group Ltd, a social landlord managing over 16,000 homes across London and Berkshire.
Here, she led five multifunctional teams, encompassing financial accounting, management accounting, investment, transactional processing, tax, pensions, insurance, risk management, and anti-fraud efforts. Under her financial stewardship, One Housing maintained strong fiscal discipline while managing a £200 million turnover and an active property development programme.
Her leadership ensured the organisation’s financial health, enabling it to provide affordable housing and care to vulnerable populations, including homeless individuals and elderly residents.
Consultancy and Part-Time Roles
Between 2018 and 2020, June balanced her career with consultancy work through FARiley Ltd, where she provided financial consultancy and IT system implementation services. Concurrently, she contributed to Age UK Lambeth as Financial Services Manager, further applying her expertise in financial reporting and management in the charitable sector.
Strategic Leadership at Richmond Fellowship and Waythrough (2020–Present)
From February 2020 until the present, June has served as Group Director of Finance at Richmond Fellowship, a mental health charity. Her role was critical in overseeing the financial governance of the organisation during a period of growth and change.
In 2024, she acted as Interim CEO of Richmond Fellowship, steering the charity through a merger with Humankind that formed Waythrough, a new entity focused on integrated mental health and community support services.
Currently, as Executive Director of Finance at Waythrough, June ensures financial sustainability and supports the organisation’s mission to provide vital care services for marginalized groups across London.
Board Membership and Governance Roles
June Riley’s expertise extends beyond operational roles into governance. She has served on numerous boards, offering strategic oversight and financial stewardship, including:
-
Senior Independent Director (SID) at The Barnet Group (2017–2024), a major housing and adult social care provider in the London Borough of Barnet. Here, June also contributed as a member of the Audit and Risk Committee, overseeing risk management and compliance.
-
Non-Executive Director on the board of Islington and Shoreditch Housing Association (ISHA), helping guide the organisation’s governance and strategy.
-
Membership and board service with Newham Homes ALMO, supporting the provision of quality social housing.
Professional Philosophy and Commitment
June Riley’s professional philosophy is deeply rooted in the belief that good, affordable social housing and quality care services are fundamental to thriving communities. She uses her financial acumen and strategic insight to facilitate improvement and instigate change within the organisations she serves.
Her extensive experience across public, charitable, and housing sectors uniquely positions her to bridge the gap between finance and social impact, ensuring that resources are effectively managed to deliver meaningful outcomes.
Conclusion
June Riley embodies the ideal blend of financial expertise, leadership, and social conscience. Her career journey, from a graduate trainee in the NHS to Executive Director of Finance at a leading social care charity, illustrates her dedication to public service and the betterment of society.
Her contributions to housing and care organisations have helped provide thousands with affordable homes and vital support services. June’s story is a powerful example of how skilled financial leadership can drive positive social change.
