Behind the Scenes with Dan Rose, Director of Communities

12/11/2026

Our ‘Behind the Scenes’ series is back! Meet the people behind our Leadership Team and learn more about their roles, what drives them and the work they do to support our residents and communities. This time, we're meeting Dan Rose, Director of Communities.

Since joining Poplar HARCA in 2014 as Director of Spotlight, Dan’s role has grown to oversee a wide range of services that help residents thrive, including youth services, employment and training, community programmes, partnerships and safeguarding.

Creating opportunities that change lives

Dan’s work spans some of the most important parts of community life, from supporting young people and helping residents access employment, to building partnerships that bring new services and investment into the area.

For Dan, a good home is only part of the picture.

“A good home matters enormously, but people also need opportunities. That might be employment, somewhere young people feel safe and supported, better access to health services or the chance to have a real say in their community,” Dan reflects.

A big part of Dan’s role is bringing people together. He works with local authorities, schools, health providers, businesses and community organisations to tackle challenges and create opportunities that no single organisation could deliver alone.

In 2025/26, our communities work generated £9.9 million in social value, supporting residents through programmes that improve health, wellbeing, employment and community connections.

One example is HealthSpot, which provides health and wellbeing support directly for our local young people. During 2025/26, the service delivered 820 appointments for young people.

“Partnerships matter when they actually change something for residents. Sometimes our role is to deliver. Sometimes it’s to connect the right people and help make something happen,” he says.

Listening first, then taking action

A key part of Dan’s approach is ensuring services are shaped by the people who use them.

Each year, our community services engage with around 10,000 people.

“We do a lot of listening to our residents,” Dan explains. “We talk to people about their needs, then curate services based on what they tell us,” Dan explains.

That resident-led approach can be seen across the organisation. At Spotlight, young people help shape decision-making, while community centres adapt their programmes in response to local feedback.

Backing the next generation

Young people have been at the centre of Dan’s career for decades. Before joining Poplar HARCA, he led a national programme for the Premier League supporting young people.

Today, that passion continues through Spotlight and Poplar HARCA’s wider youth offer. In 2025/26, Spotlight and its partners engaged more than 3,000 young people.

One area Dan is particularly passionate about is youth voice, including the work of the Youth Empowerment Board, which helps young people influence decisions and shape services.

“Young people should be part of the decisions that affect them. Some of the things I’m proudest of are seeing young people move from using our services to helping shape them and taking on positions of leadership themselves,” he says proudly.

What’s next for our communities?

Looking ahead, Dan has several priorities for the year ahead.

One is the opening of a new nursery, creating further opportunities for local families. The team is also expanding HealthSpot, continuing to secure funding for community programmes and strengthening resident-led initiatives across the organisation.

As public services face growing pressure, Dan believes collaboration will be more important than ever.

Dan is excited about working more closely with colleagues across the organisation to develop joined-up solutions for residents.

For Dan, success means making sure support reaches the people and places that need it most.

“We have to keep asking whether what we’re doing is making a difference and whether we’re reaching the people who need us most. If something works, we should be ambitious about growing it,” Dan believes.

Powered by coffee, cake and community

Dan’s connection to East London runs deep.

He previously lived in Bow and has spent more than 20 years working in communities across East London. Over that time, he’s seen the area change and grow, while maintaining the strong sense of community that continues to motivate him today.

Local people will often spot him cycling between estates, and our community centres, meeting residents, partners and teams along the way.

Outside work, he’s currently training for a marathon and enjoys spending time with his family. He’s also a fan of coffee and cake, with Poplar HARCA’s community cafés among his favourite local spots.

Want to hear more about Dan’s passion for youth engagement? Dan recently featured on the PlaceShapers podcast, where he discussed how housing associations can create stronger communities by investing in young people, building trusted relationships and giving young people a real voice in decision-making. Listen to the conversation here.

Learn more about our Leadership team here.