What we do
Dolphin Living creates affordable homes for working Londoners
London’s economy needs workers – and they need homes they can afford to rent.
We own 630 homes for rent and a further 200 are in construction. We aim to provide high quality, truly affordable housing, in desirable locations, near good transport links, for working Londoners on modest incomes.
We are working in nine inner London boroughs and we want to work throughout inner London.
We plan to buy development opportunities, existing property investments, new build stock and to help other developers deliver their affordable housing planning obligations.
In the last few years as a small London based housing charity, we have had the agility to pioneer a new approach to rent across some of our properties. In December 2014 Dolphin Living acquired the 96-apartment New Era Estate in Hackney where we took an approach to renting based on ability to pay. In partnership with Westminster City Council, we have also set up the Home Ownership Accelerator Scheme. If you would like more information on our Personalised Rent Policy or our Accelerator Scheme please do get in touch.
Dolphin Living is part of Dolphin Square Charitable Foundation, an independent charity that was established with an endowment of more than £120 million in 2005. Our target customers are the people who make the City work – chefs, nurses, drivers, social workers, actors, police, restaurateurs, craftspeople, designers – all the people who need to live or work in town and who want well-designed homes at an affordable price.
We aim to keep building on that endowment, setting new standards in management and design for affordable housing in London.
Our Vision and Strategy
Dolphin Living’s mission is to provide high quality, truly affordable housing, in desirable locations, near good transport links, for working Londoners on modest incomes.
We help a wide range of London’s workers. Teachers, chefs, health workers, creatives and more – the people that make London work.
Read about our strategic plans
The Executive Team
Olivia Harris
Chief Executive
Olivia was appointed as Chief Executive in April 2017. Previously, Olivia was Finance Director at Dolphin Living, providing financial and commercial oversight on a wide range of property and related projects, including debt and fund raising. Olivia is a Chartered Accountant and has worked for more than 15 years in the property industry.
Olivia is Chair of the Westminster Property Association.
James Hedgman
Finance Director
James is a Chartered Accountant who received his qualifications in New Zealand. He has acquired over two decades of experience as a financial executive and Chartered Accountant.
Sam While
Development Director
Sam is a qualified Architect with over 16 years of experience leading delivery teams on a wide variety of mixed-use residential led developments. An experienced and enthusiastic development and design expert, Sam is responsible for the design and delivery of all of Dolphin Living’s projects from acquisition through to completion.
Sam is a director of our development subsidiary.
Email: SamWhile@dolphinliving.com
Octavia Williams
Operations & Compliance Director
Octavia has worked in the housing sector for 13 years and has a wide range of experience across a variety of areas in the sector. Previously Octavia led the Member Engagement and Relations team at the National Housing Federation. Octavia is a corporate member of the Chartered Institute of Housing.
Octavia is a director of our registered provider
Work for us
We are a small team working in Central London. We offer an attractive employment package with an excellent range of employee benefits. We pride ourselves on recruiting and retaining outstanding people.
We do not have any current vacancies