Shane Egan
Transformation and Governance Executive Director
Shane Egan is Sustain’s Transformation and Governance Executive Director and has been instrumental in strengthening Sustain’s foundations – from governance through to culture and transparency.
Over a cup of tea, we chatted with Shane about his journey, what brought him to Sustain, and why he believes supported housing is such an essential service.
As a proud Irishman, originally from Dublin, Shane brings humour, warmth, and approachability to his work. “I actually began my career as an archaeologist, and I sometimes joke that I’m a bit of an antique myself.
“People are sometimes surprised to learn that I moved into the world of banking and fund management. It taught me a lot about the harsh realities of business, finance and money."
Shane used this knowledge to build and sell a thriving EMEA-focused company, specialising in onshoring and governance.
“I helped some large companies bring their operations back home, whilst maintaining their legal and ethical standards,” he explains.
“It’s a balancing act. You need oversight across the business, but also the ability to step back and ask, ‘What hurdles are coming our way, and how do we overcome them?”
He broadened his expertise in senior insurance roles before moving into the NHS, a shift that sparked his passion for making a difference in people’s lives. “Working in the NHS was a real turning point for me,” Shane recalls.
“I went in to restructure community care services and quickly realised there were far easier, more effective ways of working. Once I made a few adjustments, the improvements started to show – you could actually see the difference it was making in people’s lives. That’s what ultimately led me into supported housing.”
Shane later took senior roles at Sovereign Housing, Notting Hill, and Genesis Housing Associations, managing mergers, clean development programmes, and turning around underperforming projects. “When you’re responsible for thousands of homes, the processes have to be airtight,” he says. “It takes real discipline and teamwork to get it right.”
These experiences set the stage for Shane’s move to Sustain UK. “In banking, I learned foresight, in insurance, I learned precision, and in housing, I learned the human impact of every decision. At Sustain, I get to bring all of that together.”
Since joining in 2023, he has helped transition Sustain from a family-run service into a modern, ethical provider of supported housing. “We’ve built a new board and recruited more senior staff to strengthen leadership across the organisation,” Shane notes.
“We also have a solid approach to handling resident complaints, supported by new IT systems that give us much stronger operational oversight. It’s not just about efficiency, it’s about creating an organisation with foundations people can rely on.”
Those foundations proved vital when Universal Credit changes left many tenants struggling. “It was essential that our financial structures could absorb the pressure of delayed payments and rising arrears, keeping services steady when people needed us most,” he explains.
At the same time, Shane has focused on shaping a culture of professionalism, teamwork, and accountability – while preserving the family warmth Sustain is known for. “The work can be challenging, no doubt, but it’s so much easier when you’re surrounded by people who enjoy the craic. We have a great team at Sustain.”
When asked about the secret to success, Shane downplays the idea of bold, dramatic gestures. “It’s not about one big action,” he says. “It’s about refining processes step by step, focusing on continuous improvement. That’s how you succeed in the long term.”
He remains characteristically modest about his achievements. “Sustain has grown so much over the past five years, and I’ve just been fortunate to play a part in some of the milestones.
“I would say that our visibility, reporting, training, and ownership have all improved. It’s helping us progress to Stage 2 in our regulatory journey, and we now have further service expansion on the horizon.
“I am also proud of our three-step pathway to independent living, with tailored support such as access to women’s aid and drug rehabilitation programmes. The aim is to help tenants move toward independence with confidence, while knowing they have support every step of the way.”
Shane added, “Our work with the DWP through its Moving On project has been a highlight. It helps people transition from supported housing into independent living and is exactly the type of programme that Birmingham needs.”
What’s immediately clear when speaking to Shane is his passion for reshaping how supported housing providers are perceived in Birmingham. “There’s never been a more important time to be working in supported housing here, as we work to raise standards and meet the needs of tenants,” he says.
“Too many providers simply aren’t trusted, often because of poor practices, weak leadership, or, in some cases, unscrupulous management of finances. We need to keep raising the bar for what good looks like and push standards higher. That’s why I’ve championed Sustain UK joining the SEA Forum – a coalition of local housing providers committed to improving the quality of supported exempt accommodation in Birmingham and beyond.”
For Shane, the most rewarding part of the role remains simple: “It’s hearing directly from tenants how our work improves their lives. That feedback keeps us focused on making a real difference every day.”
To learn more about the team at Sustain and its board members, visit our Company and Directors Page.
