I’m Paul Taylor, and I’m the Innovation Coach at Bromford Flagship, a large housing association here in England, UK. I’m proud to have been instrumental in launching the very first “innovation lab” in the social housing sector back in 2014, which has become a significant part of my work.

Bromford Flagship is the result of a merger between Bromford Housing Group and Flagship Housing Group. Our main goal is to provide affordable homes and vital support services across east, central, and south-west England. We’re committed to delivering 2,000 new homes annually and, crucially, to creating thriving communities where people can truly flourish.

I founded Bromford Lab with a clear mission: to cultivate a culture of innovation within Bromford Flagship. We focus on conceiving, championing, and developing new approaches. A core part of our philosophy is embracing a “fail fast” methodology, allowing us to quickly test and refine ideas. The Lab operates across various time horizons, from tackling immediate, actionable challenges to exploring long-term emerging issues.

Initially, Bromford Lab functioned as a more peripheral “fail fast agile team,” but I’m pleased to say it’s now deeply integrated into the organisation’s overarching strategy. Currently, a major project I’m working on involves introducing “place-based working” throughout central England. This initiative is all about empowering autonomous teams embedded directly within communities. Their focus is on health and wellbeing outcomes, moving away from a one-size-fits-all approach to service delivery and truly tailoring our support to local needs.

My background spans strategy development, marketing, communications, customer experience, and service design. I frequently speak and advise on innovation, and I enjoy sharing my insights through blogging and contributions to various publications. I’m a strong advocate for strategic innovation, constantly challenging traditional models, and always striving for customer-centric solutions to the complex problems we face in the housing sector.

You can follow me on X at @PaulIanTaylor, or on LinkedIn

You can also subscribe to my Outside Innovation Substack

Instagram: @PauliTaylor

I can also be found on the Let’s Talk Ideas Podcast