Our innovative business model

BACKGROUND
Imagine you were forced to leave your home and family in fear for your life and move to a foreign country. Back in 1998, this is exactly what happened to Fuad Mahamed, CEO of ACH (Ashley Community Housing).

Arriving in the UK, Fuad faced the British homelessness system – and vowed to improve it someday.
Eight years later, he was in a position to honor this vow, and in 2008, his idea was realized: to open a social enterprise that supports the settlement and resettlement needs of refugees, the homeless, and other displaced, vulnerable people by offering them affordable housing, along with training and education; to help them develop their independence, and equip them with the skills they need to gain sustainable employment and integrate into UK society.
Fuad started with just one rented property in his first year. However, he was determined to help others just like himself and therefore threw himself into making the enterprise a success.


THE BUSINESS TODAY
Over the past 15 years, Fuad has worked tirelessly to grow the company and develop himself so he can support more migrants across the UK.
Fast forward to today, despite turbulent political change and an unfavorable social climate for refugees, ACH has consistently delivered and improved its services. What started as a small community organization has grown into a social business with over 115 employees across four sites with internationally recognized expertise, helping thousands of people every year.

The entire business is based on its innovative five-stage business model that focuses on re-establishing the individual, taking them on a journey from resettlement to integration and beyond. These stages include ‘A place to…’:
• LIVE
• LEARN
• THRIVE
• WORK
• CHANGE

TACKLING THE ROOT OF IMMIGRATION
Fuad isn’t just focused on the UK business, he also plays an active role in tackling the root of the refugee problem, by trying to prevent migration from happening in the first place. He’s been working on a project called Somali First, visiting conflict countries to help refugees and youth.