My colleague and friend Sadru Visram, who has died aged 81, was a pioneering figure in social housing, a devoted family man and a pillar of his Ismaili Muslim community. His compassionate nature meant he gave generously of his time. He was a school governor, a treasurer of Age Concern Newham and a member of the Aga Khan Economic Planning Board. His faith remained central to his life.

Born in Zanzibar, east Africa, Sadru was the eldest of three brothers. His father, Habib Lalji Visram, repaired radios from the family shop, while his mother, Nurbanu (nee Sivji), was a strong believer in the importance of education; she used to wake her sons up at 4am to study as she sold tobacco and drinks to patrons of the bus station next door. Sadru went to King George VI school, now the Lumumba secondary school.

When revolution came to Zanzibar in 1964, the family relocated to Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Sadru, who initially wanted to be an engineer, started working with associates of Deloitte, and became a qualified accountant. He moved to Britain in 1969, arriving with ambition, ability and a willingness to work.

The switch in career would prove to be a fortuitous one; in 1973 he started at KPMG, the multinational accounting organisation, where he rose to become a senior manager, with a portfolio of quoted public companies. This was also the year he married Teresa Warne, a librarian, whom he had met while living in a hostel in Lancaster Gate, London.

In 1981 Sadru joined London & Quadrant Housing Trust (L&Q), where he would spend 20 years and left an indelible mark. He became group finance director, guiding L&Q through transformational growth – from 10,000 homes to 35,000, with a turnover exceeding £100m. At a time when housing associations were heavily dependent on grants, Sadru developed strategies that opened capital markets to the sector. His pioneering contribution was recognised in 2005 when he was made OBE.

After leaving L&Q, Sadru worked as a consultant. He also served on several boards, most notably as a founder board member of Asra Greater London Housing Association, where I also had the honour to serve. Immortalisation in mortar came through the naming of Visram House in Park Royal, north-west London.

Sadru enjoyed playing badminton and bridge, and practised yoga. His taste in music ran, he would say, strictly to Bollywood. He made friends easily and engaged warmly with all he met.

He is survived by Teresa, their children, Farah, Toby and Anisa, four grandchildren, and his brothers, Azad and Shokat.