Bill Randall
Nominated by Brighton Housing Trust
Combating homelessness, creating opportunities, promoting change. Brighton Housing Trust can provide specialist legal advice on housing, immigration, welfare benefits and debt.
Some people never stop fighting to make life better for others — Bill Randall is one of those people. A passionate voice for the poor and vulnerable in Brighton, Bill has devoted many years to battling homelessness, inferior housing and low wages.
After moving to the city in 1998, Bill threw himself into campaigning for greater justice and equality for all. In his busy life he has been Mayor of Brighton & Hove, Leader of the City Council and a journalist. He has also served as a Trustee of Brighton Housing Trust and Vice Chairman of the City Fairness Commission. If that wasn’t enough, Bill has also found the time to be a volunteer for over 50 years.
As Council Leader, Bill pioneered the introduction of the National Living Wage, transforming the lives of many in the city. And thanks to Bill, one in ten Living Wage employers in the whole of the UK are now based in Brighton & Hove. He has also campaigned hard on environmental issues and fought to keep the crucial Whitehawk Inn community centre open.
Age Concern, Allsorts, St. Nicholas Church, Elm Grove Primary School, Table Tennis Club and HOUSE Biennial have all benefitted from Bill’s time, support and insight. The Brighton Housing Trust Bus, which adds a splash of roving gold to the city, was one of his many brainwaves.
Chief Executive of Brighton Housing Trust, Andy Winter, speaks for many when he says:
‘Bill has been a huge support for me personally and to many others across our city. He is generous with his time and in sharing his experience, knowledge and wisdom. He never fails to go above and beyond…Brighton & Hove is a better place because of Bill.’