Community-led Development Enabler
Turning community
vision into reality.
Building power
for change.
I have over 20 years experience working with communities, local authorities and social enterprises to build innovative programmes for lasting social change.
Motivated by the interlinked crises of climate change and inequality, I am committed to remaking the way we make things. I have extensive experience working across a range of sectors including the built environment, youth employment, STEM engagement, the arts and creative industries.
Having co-founded a community land trust which has delivered 36 mixed-tenure affordable homes on a complex London site, I understand both the vision and the detail needed to make change happen. More recently, I’ve retrained in Mathematics and Statistics, bridging the gap between (the often separated) disciplines of creating a community led vision and demonstrating financial viability.
years organising with communities
mixed-tenure affordable, self-build homes built
in grant funding secured
in social investment
“Kareem has a real ability to connect community needs with development ambitions.”
Portfolio and testimonials
RUSS
I co-founded RUSS, a community land trust that has delivered London’s largest self-build community-led housing scheme to date: 36 shared ownership, council and affordable rented homes.
I built relationships with the local authority and social investors, raised over £300k in grants, helped secure more than £6m in senior lending, and led community engagement through RIBA stages 0–3.
“Kareem’s vision, creativity, and hard work have been integral to RUSS and 12 Church Grove – an incredibly transformative and unique project that continues to inspire others across the housing and charity sectors. The scheme is a testament to his deep expertise in organisational strategy and community engagement, as well as his adeptness at developing socially, ecologically, and financially sustainable projects.”
Be First
“Kareem has a real ability to connect community needs with development ambitions. He understood that social value needs to be part of a project from the beginning, rather than something added at the end, and worked hard to turn that principle into practical opportunities. His commitment helped establish a community-curated, grant-funded meanwhile programme, using Levelling Up funding to support local ideas and create a lasting legacy of community involvement.”
Creative Coding Collective
Co-designed a youth employment programme training young people to enter the tech industry. Initially funded through the Mayors Young Londoner’s Fund we worked with local housing providers to recruit local young people from under-represented backgrounds. As programme manager I collaborated with trainers and employers to secure internships and paid work for trainees. I created a certified theory of change and evaluated the impact of the programme over several years.
BSA
Lewisham Changemakers
Whilst working for the Community Relations team at Lewisham Housing I established a social enterprise accelerator for local residents to develop ideas for impactful community led projects. In its first year we raised over £147k in grants and social value contributions from contractors. LCM went on to thrive as an annual programme training several cohorts of local changemakers.
“Kareem is a rare example of a strategic thinker who combines a deep understanding of both the arts and sciences, creating work that blends imagination and evidence to effect lasting change.”
From first conversation to lasting impact.
Engage & co-design
Plan & prove
Deliver & evaluate
Connect sectors
Let’s make change happen.
Have a challenge that needs community insight, strategic thinking and practical delivery? Get in touch with me using the link above.