Visitors to Gavin Cansfield’s office in the headquarters of Dartford-based housing association Moat cannot fail to spot the large sign mounted on the brightly yellow wall on their right as they enter.

“Work hard & be nice to people” says the slogan.

Cansfield explains that he has taken the framed picture with him to each of the three chief executive positions he has held to date.

“That’s my job description, I suppose,” chuckles Cansfield. “I first got that when I took the job on at Tower Hamlets Homes, because it seemed to me that as a chief executive, if I embodied those two values, then my colleagues would think I was doing a good job, and my customers would think I was there for them and when my colleagues come in they immediately connect with it.”

“It’s definitely my personal credo, I haven’t imposed it on Moat yet,” he says.