Getting to know our new Chief Executive

Would Jason Wroe, our new Chief Executive, travel to Mars? What was his first job? And who would he spend the day with post-lockdown? Find out more about him below…

1. We know you have worked in housing for over 30 years, but what was your very first job? I had a Saturday job working in a record shop called "Classical Rock" as a 16 year old where I never once took my £15 a day salary home - always took records/CDs home instead... First full-time job was working in Lloyds Bank in Knightsbridge where I vowed never to work in the private sector again...
2. What did you want to be ‘when you grew up’? From aged 3, I always aimed to be a Chief Executive of registered social landlord in Wales... But the real answer is that from a very young age, I was always going to be a train driver.
3. Tell us what you do if you had super powers. Keep it hidden - superheroes always seem to have a bad time. In fact how do you know I haven't already got hidden superpowers?
4. What was the last gift you gave someone? An old fashioned jar of sarsaparilla sweets for my wife.
5. What has been your favourite working day at Newydd so far? It sounds cheesy, but there have been loads, going all the way back to 1996 - one recent one I keep talking to everyone about was when I took three new Board members for a tour of our estates and a tenant randomly came out and chatted away to the Board members about how great it was being a Newydd tenant!
6. What has been the best problem you have solved? Don't like that question - it makes my head hurt.
7. What memories do you have of growing up that make you the person you are today? My Dad used to say "it's character forming" about every single thing that ever happened to me...
8. During these challenging times we cannot meet up with our friends and family like we used to. If you could meet up with anyone for the day who would it be and why? My Mum - she has dementia and I haven't been able to see her (except a couple of very confused FaceTimes) since January. I was due to see her the week we first went into lockdown and every time since has been scuppered by a suspected outbreak in her home so I have no idea when (or if) I will see her again.
9. If you’re having a bad day at work, what would you do? Go for a cycle or a walk.
10. Would you consider travelling to Mars if it became a future travel destination post-covid? To be honest in the post-covid world, I'll just be happy to get to the Llanfaes ice cream shop in Brecon.
11. What is your favourite thing to do in your spare time? In between lockdowns I managed a road trip to Aberystwyth with my 17 year old son on our motorbikes - I would love to do that again. But my spare time is filled up with dog walks, cycling and researching on the internet for the next amazing gadget that will transform my life.