Conference chair
Victoria Derbyshire
Journalist and broadcasterVictoria Derbyshire is a multi-award-winning journalist and broadcaster, who presents current affairs on both TV and radio. Currently lead presenter of BBC’s Newsnight, Victoria has previously led her eponymous two-hour news programme which was broadcast each weekday on BBC 2. Before that she spent 16 years presenting the morning programme on Radio 5 Live, where she became a trusted confidante to listeners as they shared their own personal experiences with her on national radio.
"I was drawn to chairing the first-ever Housing Community Summit because safe, affordable housing is vital. With a general election on the horizon, conferences of this calibre will be busier than ever, and I look forward to meeting those driven by social purpose to end what many have described as a housing crisis".
We're thrilled to announce speakers for The Housing Community Summit this September.
Akala
Award-winning Artist, Activist, Author and EntrepreneurAkala is an award-winning artist, author, activist, and one of the most respected voices in the UK. He advocates using art and culture as tools for social change. Using his platform, he addresses issues surrounding racism, classism, sexism, and homophobia. Since 2009, Akala has been the founder and Artistic Director of The Hip-Hop Shakespeare Company. As a musical artist, Akala has released five studio albums, four mixtapes, two EPs, one compilation album and numerous singles. In addition to his many talents, Akala is an accomplished author who has written several books. In 2018, Akala received an honorary doctorate from Oxford Brookes University and an honorary degree from Brighton University to commemorate his services and achievements in music and culture. Akala is passionate about helping people understand their history and their identity. He strongly advocates for education reform, arts empowerment and the exploration of black history. Akala has addressed audiences at various events, including TEDx, discussing societal issues, such as music, history, education, and race relations.
Terrie Alafat
Group Chair, RiversideTerrie served as Chief Executive of the Chartered Institute of Housing from 2015 to 2019, and has a wealth of housing experience spanning over 23 years. Her previous appointments include Director of Housing at the Department of Communities and Local Government where she was responsible for national housing polices including affordable housing, homelessness and supported housing. Her wealth of knowledge of the housing sector and her work in shaping policy will be instrumental in continuing to take the Group forward as one of the country’s leading providers of housing and homelessness services.
Steve Allcock
Group Business Transformation Director, Riverside GroupSteve passionately believes in the value of technology, data and digital services and how they can deliver modern, convenient services for customers and colleagues, whilst delivering cost efficiency and wider benefits for business to thrive. Steve is qualified in Managing Strategic Programmes (MSP®) and has spent most of his career delivering transformation, covering technology, people and cultural change.
Mike Amesbury
Labour MP for Runcorn and HelsbyMike Amesbury is the Labour MP for Weaver Vale, and has been an MP continuously since 8 June 2017.
Thirza Amina Asanga-Rae
Community Organiser Lead, Moss Side ProjectThirza Amina Asanga-Rae is a Nigerian born British National who spent her entire youth growing up in south Manchester before relocating to London for over a decade where she studied for a BA Hons in Business and Management Pg DIP in International Labour and trade Union studies. Whilst there she began her career in the railway industry and operations working her way up the ranks through GNER, Virgin Trains and in the North with Trans Pennine Express. Her interaction with Trade Unions in the rail sector ignited her passion for activism and sparked a chain reaction that pivoted her into full time representation with unions like the TUC, TSSA ,UNITE, GMB Prospect and her most recent positions as former Director of Greater Manchester Tenant Union and now Community Organiser lead in Moss Side & Harpurhey where they address issues around racism housing, disrepair, ASB, and the impact of HMO’s, SERCO and AirBNB properties which in turn causes the erosion of family / social housing. This passion to drive change and harness equality in all spheres of our life has also lead to Thirza’s active involvement in numerous community organisations and projects. As co-founder of GREAT she campaigns and strives to break the “Schools to prison” pipeline. As a participant, member and supporter of UBELE and The Windrush Centre, where she sits as a Director she works alongside passionate change makers who want to initiate wealth building and empower global majority ethnic owned business to thrive and her passion for representation doesn’t stop there, Thirza is currently a Green party candidate to be elected as a MP for the Rusholme constituency.
Victor Andrews
Chair, Tenant Advisory PanelVictor (Vic) Andrews is from East London and has been a social housing tenant since 2013. He lives in retirement living accommodation in Woodford Green on the East London/Essex border. A father of two and grandfather to three, Vic has varied interests that include reading, watching sport, horses, politics and quizzes. He has been a representative of his peers, working people including minority groups for 50+ years. Vic was a former lead negotiator and Lay Tutor, as well as an experienced representative on disciplinary and grievance cases and procedures including industrial tribunals, up to his retirement. Vic has also been a governor of a large Primary school Trust in a deprived area of Essex, and first became an involved Tenant in 2015 as an ally of his Landlord’s LGBTQ+ and Equality and Diversity group activities. Vic believes passionately in voicing the concerns of people, that for many and various reasons, feel unable to represent themselves. Since becoming a member of his Landlords Tenant Executive Committee, Vic has been a Group Board Observer, and a member of two of his landlord’s Governance Committees.
Nick Atkin
Chief Executive, Yorkshire HousingNick has a track record of leading organisations through transformational change, driving performance improvement, with a focus on maximising the untapped potential from businesses and people. Born and brought up in Doncaster he joined Yorkshire Housing in 2019. Since this time, he’s delivered transformational change throughout the business to meet the future opportunities and challenges. Nick has previously introduced a fully flexible/ remote working approach. He also led the move to 90% of customer led transactions to be delivered through online self-service channels. He is a keen advocate of innovation and uses digital as an enabler to drive fundamental change in how businesses operate. He is also a disruptor in the ‘future of work’ debate and has been paperless for 19 years.
Joanna Averley
Chief Planner, Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC)Joanna took up the role of Chief Planner at MHCLG in 2020. She is a town planner with 30 years’ experience working across government, major projects and with local authorities. She has been involved in all aspect of planning research, policy, practice and project delivery. Prior to this role she was at HS2 where she led on how the railway interfaces with its context with plan making and consenting processes. Until taking up the role of Chief Planner she was a London Mayor’s Design Advocate and Chair of the London Borough of Wandsworth’s Design Review Panel. Joanna has worked on major regeneration and masterplanning projects from Manchester City Centre to the London Olympics. Joanna has held a number of senior roles as Senior Manager for Growth and Development for Crossrail 2 at TfL, Deputy CEO and Director of Design and Planning Advice of CABE, CEO of Centre for Cities, CEO of LandAid and Director of Design for the Olympic Delivery Authority. Joanna has held a number of non-executive roles including Trustee of MOLA (Museum of London Archaeology).
Roseann Ayton
Resident Board Member, HexagonRoseann has worked in the Social Housing sector for 30 years during which time she has managed Local Government Business Units including Homelessness and Housing Needs services. Roseann has written a range of Corporate Strategies including Housing and Inclusive Growth. Roseann also worked as the LGA Policy Advisor supporting the 2nd stage of GovUK Syrian Refugee Resettlement Programme. Roseann is a freelance Housing Trainer specialising in : Complaint Handling , 'Case notes and Record Keeping' and 'Professional Boundaries' respectively. Roseann has designed and delivered her 'laugh out loud' Record Keeping workshops to over 250 frontline housing staff to date. Roseann is a certified Business Performance Coach and Personal Development Coach and has delivered leadership coaching to Local Government Heads of Service in support of wide scale transformation programmes. Roseann also designed the unprecedented Complaint Handling Guidance for all Train Operating Companies on behalf of the UK Office for Rail and Road.
Matthew Bailes
Group Chief Executive, Paradigm HousingMatthew Bailes became Chief Executive of Paradigm Housing Group in 2015. Paradigm is based in Buckinghamshire and owns over 13,500 homes, offering a wide range of tenures. Before then, he was Executive Director of Regulation at the HCA and the Tenant Services Authority where he oversaw the introduction of the new Regulatory Framework and major improvements in the Regulator’s capacity and operational approach. Prior to this, Matthew was Head of the Affordable Housing Division in the Communities and Local Government Department following a career in the civil service which included roles in corporate finance, policy on the Fire and Rescue Service, regional government, regeneration, and a spell in the Ministry of Defence.
Mike Bainbridge
Senior Manager, Customer Innovation Programme Team, AmazonPaula Barker
Labour MP for Liverpool, Wavertree and co-chair, APPG for ending homelessnessPaula Barker is the Labour MP for Liverpool, Wavertree, and has been an MP continually since 12 December 2019.
Mel Barrett
Chief Executive, Nottingham City CouncilMel is responsible for providing policy advice to elected councillors and providing visible leadership to the council’s 7,000 staff delivering vital public services, securing economic growth and improving life chances. He was previously Chief Executive of Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council and has a successful track record in the management of large scale customer facing services, organisational change and transformation initiatives, and the delivery of large scale regeneration and development projects. Mel is a member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors and an alumnus of the City University, London MBA Programme, as well as a Commissioner for the Commission for Creating Healthy Cities.
Cathy Biggs
Executive Director of Operations, South Liverpool HomesCathy joined SLH in 2022 and has over 18 years’ experience in the social housing sector, working previously at Plus Dane Housing and Your Housing Group. Her operational experience is vast; managing community safety, income, lettings and environmental teams to ensure neighbourhoods are managed effectively and customers are at the heart of everything they do. Cathy has always worked in customer-centred roles and is passionate about delivering excellent services to the South Liverpool community.
Richard Blakeway
Housing OmbudsmanRichard was appointed as Housing Ombudsman from 1 September 2019. He has extensive experience in the housing sector, with previous roles including Deputy Mayor of London for Housing, chair of the Homes for London board, and a non-executive director of Homes England. During his eight years at the Greater London Authority, Richard was responsible for housing investment and land regeneration programmes. He also led the creation of the first team at City Hall to address rough sleeping, commissioning around £10 million of services each year, as well as the first Social Impact Bond on homelessness.
Richard is a former board member of the Chartered Institute of Housing and has been an election observer in Somaliland and the Ukraine. He is a fellow of the Royal Society of Arts and sits on the Administrative Justice Council. Richard also chairs the Ombudsman Association and is a board member of the British Library.
David Bogle
@david_bogle
Chair, Homes for Cathy and Chief Executive, Hightown Housing AssociationDavid has been Chief Executive at Hightown for over 20 years. He previously worked for Anchor HA and three London local authorities. Hightown is a traditional housing association operating mainly in Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Bedfordshire. Hightown has an active development programme, which will deliver over 1400 new affordable homes over the next two years. Hightown has a housing stock of over 7,000 homes, provides care and supported housing in around 80 projects and has a forecast annual turnover of £108 million. David is Chair of the Homes for Cathy group of around 120 housing associations campaigning for more homes and support for homeless people. The Homes for Cathy Group has worked with Crisis to develop nine Commitments, which challenge housing associations to review and improve their contribution to ending homelessness.
Mark Bolton
Supported Housing ResidentMark was born in Brighton in 1959 and has lived most of his life in London. His background mostly has been in the rag trade. He writes poetry for a blog Urban Dandy London and is one half of The Basement Poets duo. His last gig was at Kensington Palace. Mark also works part time at The Living Centre where he is the staff well-being advocate. He served as a Tenant director on the Riverside board for a number of years and currently lives in one of their Retirement Living projects. He has also lived in one of Riverside's supported housing schemes. Mark says this is basically a monochrome version of a man that's lived and is still living a very colourful life....
Tracy Brabin
Mayor, West YorkshireWoodren Brade
Policy Officer, Refugee CouncilMarcia Brissett-Bailey
Author and Dyslexic/Neurodiversity AdvocateAs a dyslexia advocate and champion, Marcia is passionate about empowering other dyslexic and neurodivergent people to find their voice. Marcia is a Rising Stars 100 Winner 2024, Top 50 Influential Neurodivergent Women UK and shortlisted for the 2024 Shaw Trust Disability Power 100. Marcia is also a Top 50 Influential Neurodivergent Women 2022 as well as a featured, international speaker, and author of Black, Brilliant, and Dyslexic. Marcia was named one of the top 133 women who changed the world in 2023 by Diverse In – the Global Diversity and Inclusion Embassy. She is also featured as a notable dyslexic by Dyslexia Help - The Regents University of Michigan and is also a Trustee of the British Dyslexia Association. Marcia has worked in the education community sector for the last 30 years, providing information, advice, and guidance in higher education and post-16, as well as being a SEND lead.
Stephen Bush
Associate Editor, Financial TimesStephen is an associate editor and columnist at the Financial Times. He writes a daily newsletter, Inside Politics, charting the course of politics and policy in the UK, and a wide-ranging weekly column.
Nicola Butterworth
Corporate Director Neighbourhoods and Housing Services, Liverpool City CouncilClaire Carr
Account Manager, AmazonTrina Chakravarti
Director, Building BetterTrina co-founded Building Better with four housing association colleagues during the National Housing Federation's Greenhouse programme in 2018. Building Better has since grown to become an alliance of 30 social housing providers committed to delivering the highest quality housing through MMC with aggregation and collaboration at its heart. Over 1,500 units have been assessed for viability under the Category 1 / modular framework and Category 2 / panelised DPS.
David Cleary
Managing Director and Head of Housing, Lloyds Banking GroupDavid is responsible for Lloyds Banking Group’s relationships with clients in the house building and social housing sectors. Having joined Lloyds Bank in 1989, David undertook numerous roles across Retail and Commercial Banking before joining the Capital Markets division in 2000. David was instrumental in the development of the Bank’s Capital Markets business in both the public and private debt markets in the UK, USA and Europe. In 2017, David returned to relationship banking to create a new team with responsibility for UK Housing. David has a passion for sustainability and in 2021 became a Board director of Sustainability for Housing and joined the Executive Committee of NextGeneration, both of which focus upon developing sustainability reporting standards and frameworks in the rental and new build markets. He also supports Regeneration Brainery which focuses on the putting the ‘S’ in ESG.
Steve Coffey
@Steve_Torus
Group Chief Executive, TorusSteve is a passionate advocate for high-quality and affordable housing, and is responsible for Torus’ overall strategic direction, performance and development. Prior to joining Torus, he led Liverpool Mutual Homes for 10 years as Chief Executive. Steve’s career began in civil engineering prior to moving into the housing sector. He also worked for several local authorities prior to taking up a senior housing role in the west midlands at the start of the new millennium before returning to the Liverpool City Region some years later. Steve has considerable experience operating at boardroom level, in both executive and non-executive roles, and is an active member of bodies including the CBI North West Regional Council and the National Housing Federation. In 2022, he was appointed as Chair of Homes for the North. His work experience has also nurtured a keen personal interest in health matters, environmental issues and the low carbon agenda. Addressing green skills, employment, the retrofit challenge and volatile energy costs as an integrated issue is a key element of Steve’s vision.
Judith Comber
Housing Account, SalesforceJude is an Account Executive and joined Salesforce at the end of 2021 to support housing providers in delivering first-class resident experiences with the latest technology. She is passionate about social housing and helping the people it serves. She spent 10 years at what is now the Abri Group working in Customer Services then IT, before providing housing technology solutions across the UK, Ireland & ANZ.
Anne Costain
Chief Financial Officer, StonewaterAnne is a qualified Chartered Accountant and Corporate Treasurer. She has worked in housing for over 10 years at a senior level. Before working in housing, Anne worked in manufacturing for a number of organisations, from SME to Fortune 500 and FTSE 250 – latterly as Finance Director for De la Rue in its Currency and Supply Chain division.
Emily Cox MBE
Chair, Gentoo and Director of Employee Relations and Group Ambassador for the North, Lloyds Banking GroupEmily lives in the north-east and has built up a wide array of senior political contacts across the whole of the North. She frequently represents the Group in Policy discussions, including chairing a discussion on social housing at Labour Party Conference featuring the Shadow Secretary for Levelling-up and the Shadow Housing Minister. She also has a depth of relationship important regional stakeholders at the Combined Authorities, especially the new North East where she has been involved in designing the authority’s approach to growth. Her role as Chair of the Gentoo Housing Association has provided added value to our discussions on themes like social housing. Emily also represents the Group on a number of regional organisations, including the North East LEP, where she sits on the board. She is incredibly passionate about gender diversity, and was awarded an MBE in the 2018 Queen’s Birthday Honours for services to gender diversity in the FS sector.
Cllr Kaya Comer-Schwartz
Leader, London Borough of IslingtonKaya was appointed Leader of Islington Council in May 2021, previously working as Executive Member for Children, Young People and Families. Kaya’s achievements since becoming Leader include providing laptops to all care leavers and year 7s who need them to tackle the digital divide, investing in tackling the climate emergency by improving air quality and the biodiversity in the borough and championing early intervention, in particular in the areas of physical and mental health. She has pioneered a Community Power approach to leadership in Islington, running the biggest engagement exercise in the Council’s history and planning a series of Citizen’s Panels. Her commitment is to create an Equal Islington for all who live and work in the borough.
Councillor Bev Craig
Labour Councillor for Burnage Ward and Leader, Manchester City CouncilBev became Leader of Manchester City Council on 1 December 2021. First elected in 2011 as a Burnage Councillor she held a range of responsibilities on Manchester City Council including as Executive Member for Adult Social Care and Health and Deputy Leader. Since becoming Leader her focus has been on Manchester’s ambitious plans to build a more inclusive and sustainable economy, increasing investment into neighbourhoods across the city, better outcomes for children and young people, tackling inequalities, building more housing and working to meet Manchester’s net zero ambitions. Bev is a Deputy Chair of the Local Government Association and Chair of Core Cities UK. In Greater Manchester she holds a range of responsibilities on behalf of the city including leading on the Economy, Business, and International Portfolio for the Combined Authority. Originally from Belfast, she moved to Manchester in 2003 for university. After graduating from the University of Manchester she began her career in Local Government, before working in higher education and then a national trade union leading on social care. She holds postgraduate degrees from Warwick Business School and the University of Manchester.
Professor Sir John Curtice
Political Scientist and Professor of Practice Policy, University of StrathclydeProfessor Sir John Curtice is Professor of Politics at Strathclyde University in Glasgow, Scotland, and Senior Research Fellow, National Centre for Social Research and the ESRC’s ‘The UK in a Changing Europe’ initiative. He has written extensively about voting behaviour in elections and referendums in the UK, as well as on British political and social attitudes more generally. He has been a co-editor of NatCen’s annual British Social Attitudes reports since 1994 and is a regular contributor to British and international media coverage of politics in the UK, including as co-host of the ‘Trendy’ podcast.
Peter Denton
Chief Executive, Homes EnglandPeter is the Chief Executive Officer of Homes England.
Peter joined Homes England in August 2021. Prior to this, he was Group Finance Director and subsequently Chief Executive Officer of housing association The Hyde Group.
He has worked in a broad range of strategic leadership roles, amassing 27 years of pan-European real estate experience.
Before joining the housing sector, Peter spent his early career in investment banking and then moved to global real estate investment management firm Starwood Capital. During his investment career, Peter deployed over €25 billion of capital and had significant exposure to investors and fundraising on a global scale, working as a ‘bridge’ between the public, private and third sector.
In addition, Peter has held senior EMEA real estate investment banking roles at BNP Paribas, Barclays, Deutsche Bank, Eurohypo and WestImmo. He is also a non-executive Real Estate Investment Committee member at global investment company Eurazeo and Council member and Chair of the Finance Committee at Marlborough College.
Helia Ebrahimi
Economics Correspondent, Channel 4Channel 4 News' Economics Correspondent Helia Ebrahimi reports on the big changes in the economy and the public finances - and how they'll influence the world you live in.
Oke Eleazu
Former Chief Executive, ManyPetsOke is Chief Operating Officer of Bought By Many (BBM). BBM is one of Europe’s leading Insurtech start ups, focused on disrupting traditional insurance markets by using digital to provide customers with better insurance experience. Prior to this he was Managing Director of the consulting business, think outside in, which helps organizations take a strategic approach to improving their customer experience. Oke has held several senior roles in major organizations, all centred on improving the experience of customers. Most recently he has been Director of Customer Service Strategy for Sainsbury’s, where he created and executed a new strategy for delivering ever improving service for Sainsbury’s 24 million customers a week. Previously he was Customer Service and Operations Director for Bupa and Customer Service Director at Prudential. Oke is an in demand keynote speaker, and in September 2016, published his first book, ‘The Cult of Service Excellence’. The book is about how to create the culture in any business to ensure there are engaged employees delivering exceptional customer experience. Oke is also currently a non-executive director of the Institute of Customer Service and Bromford Housing Group where he is vice Chair and chairs the Customer and Communities Board.
Mike Emmerich
Chair, TorusAs Chair of the Board, Mike oversees and ensures high standards of governance, and provides appropriate levels of challenge and support to the Executive Team. Mike is an entrepreneur. He combines senior leadership experience across the public and private sectors with his extensive strategy and economics knowledge. He has applied this to start ups in the private, public, academic, and not-for-profit sectors for over twenty years. He is also an experienced national-level Non-Executive Director in the education, health, heritage, real estate, and culture sectors. As the Founding Director of Metro Dynamics, a specialised consultancy for local authorities, Mike plays a significant role on many major projects including the devolution deals in the West Midlands and North East which give more local responsibility for housing and infrastructure. He has also spent significant time working with local authorities and combined authorities within the Liverpool and Greater Manchester City Regions.
Jesse Fajemisin
Director of Business Operations - Mount Green, Board Member - Gloucester City Homes, Mount GreenJesse has over 12 years’ experience in housing, most of which has been in the G15, and in positions of leadership. At Sapphire Independent Housing, he is the executive lead for housing, leasehold and asset management services. He is also a Board Member for Gloucester City Homes, where he is the Vice Chair of their Audit, Risk and Assurance Committee too.
Sarah Finnegan
Head of Policy, National Housing FederationSarah has been at the NHF since 2017 as part of the member relations team, before becoming Head of Policy last year. She previously held different policy and strategy roles in local government in London.
Denise Fowler
@Denise473
Chief Executive, Phoenix Community HousingDenise has previously been the Chief Executive of Women’s Pioneer Housing and has been the Housing Ombudsman for England. Denise also co-founded and co-chairs the Women’s Housing Forum, which aims to raise awareness of the links between women’s housing needs and gender inequality. The Forum’s ambition is to encourage social housing providers and other partners to work together to tackle the issues that women face in finding and keeping suitable housing.
Noa Fux
Director and Lead Analyst, International Public Finance, S&P Global RatingsNoa Fux is a Director and a Lead Analyst in the International Public Finance team at S&P Global Ratings, covering public and not-for-profit sectors, focusing on housing associations, universities, and local governments across the UK. Based in London, Noa joined S&P in 2015 as an analyst in the Tel Aviv office, moving to Frankfurt in 2018, covering local and regional governments as well as social housing providers in Israel and Central Eastern Europe. Prior to joining S&P Global Ratings, Noa worked as a senior economist at the economic research department for the Manufacturer’s Association of Israel. Noa holds a Master’s degree in Business Administration and Bachelor degree in Bachelor of Science Agriculture, Agricultural Economics and Management, both from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.
Richard Gammage
Chief Executive, Two SaintsRichard has been Chief Executive of Two Saints since 2023. Two Saints delivers supported housing services in Berkshire, Dorset, Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Portsmouth and Southampton and these include: outreach to people who are sleeping rough, supported accommodation (direct access hostels, move-on accommodation, and resettlement flats), day centres, community support, housing first, mental health support and landlord support services. Prior to that he was Chief Executive of the Sir Oswald Stoll Foundation. He is also Chair of the Board of Teign Housing, an organisation that owns and manages over 4000 homes across Devon. His experience of social housing straddles west London, south-east and south-west England. Richard also has extensive leadership and management experience across a wide range of organisations, including as chief operating officer of the Lord Wandsworth Foundation, director of Cobseo, and he has had Board roles including responsibilities for risk and finance. He has a background in manging change programmes, in project and programme development and in developing people. His academic qualifications include two masters degrees, a BSc(Hons) and he’s a qualified teacher and former youth worker.
Angela Gascoigne
Chief Executive, SHAL HousingAngela has been CEO at SHAL, a small community housing association based in Somerset since 2014 and a housing professional since 1981 working for local authorities and housing associations across England and Wales. She has led on innovative approaches to anti-social behaviour, support for vulnerable people and systems transformation across multiple services. She has acted as a non-executive director over three decades with organisations working with disabled people, gypsies and travellers, young people and women and was appointed to the Board of the Welsh Probation service. She is a Trustee of Victim Support and chairs the Welsh Committee. She also chairs the National Housing Federation’s Rural Housing Alliance which provides a voice for housing associations’ lobbying and influencing on rural housing. She practices compassionate listening and has introduced restorative process and trauma informed practice at SHAL to support personal and community empowerment and regularly works with people across the USA and the UK to deepen her knowledge and skills.
Helen Gauder
Managing Director, SafeNetHelen is Managing Director of SafeNet, a Domestic Abuse Charity based in the North West and one of the companies in the Calico Group. Helen has been in post for 28 years and during that time she has led the development of a diverse range of domestic abuse services across Lancashire and Greater Manchester. Helen champions equality, diversity and inclusion in all aspects of life and in the workplace. Helen is an NLP Master Practitioner, an ILM Executive Coach and is DAPA (Domestic Abuse Prevention Advocate) qualified.
Oona Goldsworthy
@oonagolds
Chief Executive, BrunelcareOona became Chief Executive of Brunelcare, a Bristol based housing association providing homes and care, in late 2109. She was previously the CEO of United Communities housing association where she remained at the helm for 16 years, growing the organisation from its inception to become one of the leading providers of affordable homes in the City. Oona is a Board member of the National Care Forum, Care and Support West and Trustee of Second Step housing association. She is also Co-Chair of the Bristol Homes and Communities Board.
Sophie Gordon
Principal Communications Strategist, Frameworks UKSophie is a Principal Communications Strategist at FrameWorks UK – collaborating with charities and other mission-driven organisations to communicate about social issues in ways that shift hearts and minds. Sophie’s recent work includes helping organisations to reframe housing, health and criminal justice. FrameWorks UK is the sister organisation of the FrameWorks Institute in the US. Their research shows how people understand social issues. And they use this knowledge to develop and test strategic communications to help organisations create change. Before joining FrameWorks UK in early 2022, Sophie was the Creative Director and lead writer for the UK’s largest child protection charity, the NSPCC.
Tracey Gore
Director, Steve Biko Housing AssociationRose Grayston
Director, On PlaceRose has 10 years of experience in providing research, policy and communications services to progressive campaigns and their leaders. Rose has managed and led successful campaigns to reduce borrowing rates for local authority house-building, reform English planning rules to incentivise the delivery of affordable homes, and to build political and public support for reform of England’s broken land and house-building systems. Previously Policy Manager at Shelter, and Senior Programme Manager for Housing at the New Economics Foundation. She also co-authored the recent report of the Create Streets Foundation’s No Place Left Behind Commission with Toby Lloyd.
Andy Haldane CBE
Former Chief Economist, Bank of England and Chief Executive, Royal Society of Arts (RSA)Andy was formerly Chief Economist at the Bank of England and a member of the Bank's Monetary Policy Committee. He was the Permanent Secretary for Levelling Up at the Cabinet Office from September 2021 to March 2022. Andrew is Founder and President of the charity Pro Bono Economics, Vice-Chair of the charity National Numeracy and Chair of the National Numeracy Leadership Council. Andrew chairs the Government's Levelling Up Advisory Council and the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre's Industrial Board. He is contributing editor at the Financial Times and Chief Economic Advisor at PwC. Among other positions, he is Honorary Professor at the Universities of Nottingham, Manchester and Exeter, Visiting Professor at King's College, London and a Fellow of the Royal Society and the Academy of Social Sciences.
Miranda Hawtrey
Domestic Abuse Development Lead, SafeNetMiranda is the Domestic Abuse Development Lead for SafeNet, a Domestic Abuse Charity based in Lancashire & Greater Manchester and has worked in the domestic abuse sector since 2001. SafeNet is part of the Calico Group. Miranda supports survivors of abuse to share their voice to ensure it is heard & reflected in services. Miranda is passionate about equality, diversity and inclusion – dedicated to supporting all survivors to live safer, healthier, happier lives free from abuse, exploitation & violence. Miranda is a qualified IDVA (Independent DA Advocate) and ISAC (Independent Stalking Advocacy Caseworker).
Baroness Ayesha Hazarika MBE
@ayeshahazarika
Broadcaster, journalist and political commentatorAyesha Hazarika MBE is a columnist and political commentator who is known for her insightful and witty opinions and observations on current affairs. Having started her career as a stand-up comedian playing clubs across the country, she then took what she thought was a natural diversion into politics as a Special Adviser for the Labour Party, working with them for eight years both in Government and Opposition. During her time in Westminster she worked for Gordon Brown, Harriet Harman and Ed Miliband, advising them on Prime Minister’s Questions, speeches, media and policy as well as heading up initiatives on topics such as Women and Equality. Since leaving front line politics Ayesha has presented shows on LBC and appears three times a week on the panel discussion show CNN Talk (CNN international). Ayesha writes a weekly column for the Evenings Standard and has contributed to The Scotsman, FT, Guardian, New Statesman and Grazia. She is also a much sought after pundit due to her unique position to analyse and comment on current affairs with great wit and insight.
Léann Hearne
@LeannHearne
Chief Executive, Livv HousingLéann Hearne was appointed as Group Chief Executive of First Ark Group (now Livv Housing Group) in 2018 following its regulatory downgrade to a non compliant G3. She led the business through a period of change, simplifying the way it was governed and operated so that its people and customers would benefit. It was upgraded to a G1/V1 by the Regulator of Social Housing in 2022. Leann believes that business can be done better, to bring its purpose to life. She uses her private sector background and her non-executive roles to drive performance and customer service. She began her career in the engineering and construction sectors and became Managing Director of an international manufacturing business in 2000. Whilst there she took up a non-executive position in a housing association with a range of roles, including Chair and Group Vice-Chair. This led to a move to work in the sector. She continues to work as a non-executive and currently holds roles at Yorkshire Housing and Northern Housing Consortium.
Corrina Hembury
Managing Director, Access TrainingCorrina Hembury has worked in Further Education for over 20 years serving as Director level at 2 other Training Providers. As Managing Director at Access Training, she is responsible for the strategic and operational running of the organisation, always putting learners at the heart of decisions. She currently serves as a Vice Chair of NOCN, one of the country’s largest Awarding Organisations and a leading educational charity. A passionate advocate for the role Further Education has in changing people’s lives, Corrina started her own career as an Apprentice and believes that training and education are critical for both individuals and businesses to reach their full potential.
Kate Henderson
@KateNHF
Chief Executive, National Housing FederationKate Henderson is Chief Executive of the National Housing Federation (NHF), the voice of housing associations in England. Kate is passionate about tackling the housing crisis, inequality and climate change. She is a member of several government panels including the Rough Sleeping Advisory Panel and the Social Housing White Paper Expert Challenge Panel. Kate become a Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences in 2021. Prior to joining the NHF in 2018, Kate was Chief Executive of the Town and Country Planning Association.
Mark Henderson
@MarkGHenderson
Chief Executive, Home GroupMark previously ran his own business before joining Home Group, before that had worked with the RDA as Operations Director and a variety of regeneration and economic development jobs across the country in local government, most recently as Chief Executive of one of the largest County Councils in the country. He is a former Chair of Homes for the North.
Andy Hulme
Chief Executive Officer, HydeAndy was appointed CEO of the Hyde Group in 2021 having previously spent 20 years in consumer organisations. Immediately prior to joining, Andy was the Global Managing Director of Real Estate and Housing at Lloyds Banking Group (LBG). He also spent time as the Lloyds Bank Mortgage Director and Group Head of New Mortgages and Managing Director of The Equity Businesses. He worked with the UK Government to bring Help to Buy to market and led strategy, products and propositions to support LBG in maintaining a market leading position in key segments such including First Time Buyers, New Build and Buy to Let. During his time at Lloyds Andy was the CEO founder of the Housing Growth Partnership, a private equity investment fund, which supports SME housebuilders in accelerating the delivery of new homes and was a lead for Diversity & Inclusion. Prior to LBG Andy held a number of senior roles in leading UK brands including Direct Line, Virgin Money, Direct Line, RBS, NatWest and Tesco.
Tahir Idris
Non Executive Director, Wythenshaw Community Housing, Respect and Inclusion Partner, Housing21Started as a trainee in 1989 and quickly moved into managing a BME housing association for 15 years which became one of the most successful and innovative in its time. He then moved on to a change of career and managed innovative assistive technology project for the vulnerable at the then largest HA in the country. After that, he became an independent living technology consultant working in partnership with local authorities, issuing preventative devices such as GPS watch trackers and dementia technologies. His latest role was working for Together Housing, leading on diversity issues. Within a year he has made a significant impact on the whole organisation, transforming its EDI approach, including diversifying the future of the governance structure.
Caleb Jackson
Head of Change for Youth and Voluntary Sector, Youth Endowment FundSince he began youth work at the age of 16, Caleb has had a keen focus on preventing young people from entering the criminal justice system, youth violence and exploitation. He has used young people’s voices to leverage action from key stakeholders (wide and varied) to work together in a public health approach for child centred outcomes. He states that people and organisations in the heart of communities are assets and have to create and deliver long-term solutions to reduce youth violence and exploitation. He has a degree in Youth and Community Studies, however his personal expertise are shaped through mentoring of high risk individuals involved in gangs and running youth clubs. Caleb has worked with a range of stakeholders including The Home Office, VRUs, Police Forces, Public Health, Safeguarding Hubs, Educational leads, Voluntary Sector Organisations and Community Leads (including grassroots). In this role at the Youth Endowment Fund, Caleb will utilise his skills in a national role to prevent young people from getting caught up in crime and violence.
Kai Jackson
Tenant Advisory Panel (TAP) and tpas Member, TAP, Together with TenantsKai completed her BSc (Honours) Psychology and Counselling degree and achieved a British Psychological Society (BPS) accreditation. She has been the chair for her tenant's scrutiny panel for over two years. In that time, Kai has carried out three reviews, been involved in stage 2 complaints, assisted shaping policies, interviewed potential staff members, panel members and been a part of the wider reshaping of the culture of her housing association. Kai has been very vocal in her support for tenants to be more involved with their housing provider and working together to accomplish change, which can be achieved. She has spoken at two conferences with the National Housing Federation (NHF) and most recently became a Tpas Associate and speaking at their customer conference. Kai is very dedicated to tenant involvement, being diverse, without stigma, and heard.
Philip Jenkins
Executive Director Development, PeabodyPhilip joined Peabody with the Catalyst merger having been the Group Director of Development. With a property development career spanning more than three decades across the private, public and not-for-profit sectors, he brings a wealth of housing experience. He’s also worked for companies including Taylor Wimpey, CityWest Homes, The John Lewis Partnership and SPAR.
Mark Johnson
Chair, Board and Tenants Working Together Committee, Golden Lane HousingHannah Jowett
Head of Communications and Brand, Yorkshire HousingHalisha Kaur
Chair, CIH FuturesHalisha joined housing through a graduate scheme in development following completing a degree in City and Regional Planning. Halisha’s passion for the sector drove her to volunteer for CIH Futures and become Chair. Halisha believes that “Housing is more than bricks and mortar, our jobs are about providing a safe, secure home and new life opportunities to allow our residents to thrive”. Halisha lobbies to make housing a career of choice for the next generation and to increase the diversity of voices heard within the sector.
Dr Susan Khan
Business PsychologistSusan Kahn is a business psychologist, a speaker and an academic. She is a chartered psychologist, coaching psychologist and supervisor with the British Psychological Society and a Fellow of the Association of Business Psychologists. She works as an executive coach, consultant, mediator, and an observer of working life. She has a particular interest in the behaviour of people at work and below the surface dynamics in organisations. She studied organisational consultancy using psychoanalytic methods at the Tavistock and did her PhD at Birkbeck, University of London where she teaches coaching psychology. She also works as a group relations consultant. Her research interests embrace leadership, coaching, change and vulnerability at work. She uses psychoanalytic observation as a research method and has written books about the psychoanalysis of endings (Death & the City) and resilience (Bounce Back) and psychological insights to transform your work life (Reinvent Yourself). She is a board member of This Can Happen: empowering workplace mental health, ISPSO and OPUS.
Paul Kissack
Group Chief Executive, Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF)Paul is the Group Chief Executive of Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF) and Joseph Rowntree Housing Trust (JRHT). Paul started with us on the 1 September 2020, and was previously a Director General in the UK Government working on the national response to the COVID-19 crisis. He has held Director General roles at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and the Department for Education. He was Deputy Chief Executive for Policy and Organisational Strategy at the Ministry for Children in New Zealand. Paul has also held senior roles at HM Treasury, the Cabinet Office, and a local authority. He has worked throughout his career on economic and social policy issues and public service reform.
Martina Lees
Senior Property Writer, The Times and The Sunday TimesMartina has won more than 10 awards, including a British Journalism Award, for her Sunday Times campaign on the building safety scandal exposed by the Grenfell fire. She was first to reveal that it trapped 700,000 people in dangerous homes, left up to 1.5 million flats unmortgageable and got Micahel Give to finally admit that the government shares the blame for Grenfell. Her work has been quoted many times in parliament, was credited by a housing secretary as "instrumental" and helped spur the government into changing the law to make companies pay for profiting from unsafe homes.
Seamus Leheny
Chief Executive, Housing Associations Northen Ireland (NIFHA)Seamus is the Chief Executive of the Northern Ireland Federation of Housing Associations that represents 20 housing associations who manage over 60,000 homes across Northern Ireland and are responsible for the development of new social homes on an annual basis. As Chief Executive of NIFHA, Seamus is responsible for the operational direction of NIFHA, specialising in development, finance and strategic housing issues. Previous to working in housing, Seamus worked as senior policy manager for Logistics UK specialising in legislation around supply chains regularly engaging with the UK government and the EU.
Toby Lloyd
Housing policy consultant, former No 10 special adviser and Chair, No Place Left Behind CommissionToby Lloyd is a housing and regeneration policy expert. He has been a Special Adviser to Prime Minister Theresa May, head of policy at Shelter, and is now an independent consultant.
Fiona MacGregor
Chief Executive, Regulator of Social HousingFiona became Chief Executive of the standalone Regulator of Social Housing in October 2018 having been Director of Regulation at the Homes and Communities Agency from November 2015. The Regulator is responsible for the regulation of registered social housing providers. Previously, as Director of Programmes, she was responsible for HCA’s Affordable Housing and Help to Buy programmes. Fiona has over 25 years housing experience, covering development investment, programme delivery and policy development. She has worked at the HCA since it launched in 2008, before which she was Deputy Director of Investment at the Housing Corporation, and prior to that, Head of Development at London & Quadrant.
Mairi MacRae
Director of Campaigns, Policy and Communications, ShelterFuad Mahamed
Chief Executive, Ashley Community HousingFuad founded ACH and Himilo to empower refugees and migrants in the UK to lead self-sufficient, ambitious lives while contributing to society and the economy. He is also dedicated to changing people's perceptions of refugees and migrants to ensure that human dignity is always put first. Working the last 15-years in this sector, Fuad has the ability to build relationships and bridges between the community on the ground and policymakers. He has an MSc in Management from Lancaster Business School and went on to become a Clore Social Fellow for Refugee and Migrant communities and a Churchill Fellow.
Charlene Manning
Business Development Manager, Amazon Web ServicesKate Markey
Chief Executive, Nationwide FoundationKate comes from a background in journalism, having been Editor of The Big Issue North for a number of years. She also has wide ranging experience in social enterprise, social investment and impact consulting. Kate has been CEO of the London Community Foundation for more than five years, connecting local philanthropy to communities in need. In 2019, she was named in the Evening Standard Progress 1000: London’s most influential philanthropic leaders.
Clare Miller
Group Chief Executive, Clarion Housing GroupClare has been the Group Chief Executive since 2018. She is a chartered accountant with almost 30 years’ experience in the housing sector. Clare joined the Housing Corporation in 1992 as a financial regulator. Over the next 18 years progressed to become its Director of Regulation. She then became an Executive Director at the Tenant Services Authority, with responsibility for housing association regulation. In 2010 Clare joined Affinity Sutton as Group Director of Governance and Compliance. She took up the same role at Clarion in 2016, before taking on her current role two years later.
Rhys Moore
Executive Director of Public Impact, National Housing FederationRhys started with the NHF in October 2018, as Executive Director of Public Impact. Rhys oversees our policy, external affairs and communications work. Previously he was Director of the Living Wage Foundation where he worked with government, business and civil society to build a national movement of responsible employers. Before that, he helped to establish the London Community Foundation, which supports grassroots community groups in the capital. Rhys is a board member of the Carers Trust.
Craig Moule
Group Chief Executive, SanctuaryCraig has been with Sanctuary for over 30 years, serving as Chief Financial Officer before becoming its Group Chief Executive 5 years ago. During his tenure as Group Chief Executive Craig has successfully overseen the acquisition of Swan Housing Association and Johnnie Johnson Housing Trust, and seen Sanctuary grow to managing around 125,000 homes nationally, 14,000 team members and becoming a £1 billion turnover organisation. Craig is an ex-officio member of the Group Board. Sanctuary Group is a founding member of the Greener Futures Partnership, a collaboration of like-minded housing associations, seeking to help the social housing sector address the green agenda. Craig is a member of the CEO group for this initiative.
Bibicha Muhima
Resident and Neighbourhood Advisor, ForHousingBibicha has worked in the housing sector for five years and supports with allocating and letting homes. After a severe illness and her husband’s redundancy, she was faced with falling behind on rent. She got help from Forhousing’s Tenancy Support & Sustainment Team (TSS), who supported her through her challenges and helped her apply for her current role. Her personal circumstance has instilled within her a profound empathy for tenants facing adversity and financial hardship. Bibicha would like to progress into a role that offers tailored one-to-one support for tenants who need it, in a role within the TSS team where her journey began. Not only does she bring her experiences as a tenant and an advisor but also her beliefs in the power of diversity to create a more promising future for organisations and tenants.
Jill Murray
@BykerTrust
President, Chartered Institute of HousingPriya Nair
Chief Executive, The Housing Finance Corporation (THFC)A senior executive with over 25 years’ experience in financial services, infrastructure and housing, Priya is passionate about leveraging sustainable, long-term investment to help deliver positive economic and societal outcomes in the affordable housing sector. Before joining in March 2024, Priya was a Senior Director at abrdn in its infrastructure team. With a focus on infrastructure and housing, Priya was responsible for financing, capital raising and deal strategy across all its flagship infrastructure funds and investments. Prior to that, Priya spent over 13 years at the Royal Bank of Canada in their global private markets team and seven years at Citi.
In addition to leading THFC, Priya acts as a senior advisor to organisations working across government, infrastructure and technology where she provides counsel on corporate finance, governance, risk management and investment strategies. She is a Non-Executive Director and the Chair of the Investment Committee at the Port of London Authority and a Senior Adviser to Good Governance Capital. Priya also supports several non-profit originations and charities with a focus on sport and education. She is currently a Senior Trustee of community sports charity, Sported, the UK’s largest network of community groups supporting half a million young people through the power of sport.
Chris Naylor
Former Chief Executive, Birmingham City Council and Director, Inner Circle ConsultingChris is a Director of Inner Circle, a boutique consultancy specialising in public service reform. He recently joined the firm after seven years as the Chief Executive of the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham to focus on “reimagining public services and connecting them fully to the people who need them”. Under his leadership of Barking and Dagenham, the Council focused on inclusive growth, prevention, service re-design, public participation and equalities. In 2018 the authority was named “Council of the Year”. In 2020 Chris was seconded to Birmingham City Council to be their CEO, to support amongst other things their response to the pandemic and preparations for the Commonwealth Games. In 2020 Chris was named Municipal Journal’s Chief Executive of the Year. Chris is a Chartered Accountant and has a degree in Social and Political Sciences from the University of Cambridge, with a specialism in contemporary social theory. Chris was born and brought up in Rotherham, South Yorkshire.
Charlotte Norman
Group Chief Executive, Mosscare St Vincent's Housing GroupCharlie has worked in the sector for over 30 years, across the North West and in Vancouver, Canada, with a background in community and co-operative development, neighbourhood management and regeneration. She is honoured to be Group CEO of Mosscare St Vincent’s Housing Group and committed to helping create more homes people can afford, more opportunity and better life chances for all.
Charlie is on the Board of Directors at Bolton Community Homes and Vice Chair of the Manchester Housing Partnership. Working with a wide range of partners, including the GM Housing Providers, she is a passionate campaigner for issues affecting housing, wealth and health inequality, supported housing, independent living and homelessness. Charlie is also a firm believer in building a great work environment where people can flourish with a focus on flexibility, agility and creativity.
Seyi Obakin OBE
Chief Executive, CentrepointSeyi is responsible for the whole organisation. He works closely with the Senior Executive Team to ensure we achieve our vision of ending youth homelessness. He became chief executive in 2009, and since this time, he has developed a passionate concern for disadvantaged young people, especially those that are homeless.
Teija Ojankoski
Chief Executive, The Y-Foundation, HelsinkiTeija has over 20 years of experience in management and leadership. She is a professional in strategy processes and implementing strategies both in municipal and company environments. Her work history has given her in-depth knowledge of social housing and its financial systems and development and its clients.
Josie Parsons
Chief Executive, Local SpaceJosie came to Local Space as Finance Director in 2018 with extensive Director experience in broad portfolio roles in the private and not-for-profit sectors. She took over the role of CEO in 2019. Josie has a wealth of experience of business modelling, development and new business appraisal and a track record of meeting all key targets. Her vision is to ensure that Local Space delivers its growth strategy and achieves the best possible customer experience over the coming years as well as being a great place to work by becoming a ‘people first’ organisation. Josie is committed to partnership, transparency, fairness and equality in every area of Local Space’s operations.
Bronwen Rapley
Chief Executive, Onward HomesSince 2016, Bronwen has spearheaded the creation of Onward Homes from five separate housing associations, building a united organisation committed to the customers and communities it serves across the North West.
Under Bronwen’s leadership, Onward has achieved top governance (G1) and financial (V1) ratings from the Regulator and secured a top A1 (Stable) credit rating, ahead of a successful bond issue to support delivery of an ambitious Business Plan. Looking to the future, her priority for Onward is to work with customers to build thriving communities, supported by the security of good quality, green homes and places.
Bronwen has worked in housing and regeneration for 30 years, initially as a solicitor and then by delivering a number of large regeneration projects in the North West. Prior to joining Onward, Bronwen led the investigation and enforcement team at the Regulator of Social Housing.
Steph Ratcliffe
Head of Migrants and Advice Services, St MungosGreg Reed
Chief Executive, Places for PeopleA purpose-driven senior executive, in his 30-year career, Greg has led major finance, partnership, marketing, customer service, and commercial functions in global listed companies including Bank of America and RBS Group. Before joining PfP, Greg was UK CEO for international home assistance business HomeServe. Greg is a native of Smyrna, Delaware. He graduated from Pennsylvania State University with a Batchelor of Science in Finance and then received a Juris Doctor from Delaware Law School.
Dr James Richardson
Chief Executive Officer, Climate Change Committee (CCC)James was recently appointed CEO, having previously been the CCC’s Director of Analysis and Chief Economist, overseeing the CCC’s analytical programme on Net Zero and Climate Resilience. James joins from the National Infrastructure Commission (NIC), where he has served for the last seven years as Chief Economist. In that role, he has overseen the UK’s first ever National Infrastructure Assessment and studies including managing the risk of drought, the role of economic regulators and engineered greenhouse gas removals. James currently leads the Commission’s work programme on Net Zero infrastructure. Prior to that, James served for 10 years in the Treasury, where he led on fiscal policy, public spending control and the Green Book. James was Deputy Chief Economic Advisor from 2012 to 2016.
Campbell Robb
Chief Executive Officer, NacroCampbell joined Nacro as Chief Executive in 2019. Before joining Nacro, he was the CEO of the Joseph Rowntree Foundation and the Joseph Rowntree Housing Trust from 2017. There he steered the organisation through a significant change and reform programme, introducing an outcome-focused approach to change, new values and focus on working alongside those with lived experience of poverty. Before this, Campbell was the Chief Executive of Shelter for seven years. As CEO he led the organisation through one of the most challenging periods in its history. This included building a sustainable, fundable model of integrated advice and support that is helping more clients than ever before, a growth in independent income and leading the organisation’s response to some of the biggest changes to housing and welfare policy in generations. Prior to joining Shelter, Campbell was the first Director General of the Office of the Third Sector, an adviser to The Treasury and was previously Director of Public Policy at the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO). In 2017 he was awarded an honorary degree from York St John University.
Anna Rose
Head of the Planning Advisory Service and Chair, Public PracticeAnna is currently the Head of the Planning Advisory Service, delivering improvement in planning services across the country. Anna started her planning career advising NFU members on planning, transport and environmental law before moving to Rugby Borough Council and becoming their Head of Planning and Culture at Rugby. In 2014 she became Milton Keynes Council’s Director of Growth, Economy and Culture. Anna is a past President of the Planning Officers Society, a trustee of the TCPA, and sits as the practitioner on the RTPI accreditation boards for the planning courses at UCL and Birmingham City University. She is an active peer reviewer for the LGA and a regular speaker on strategic planning issues, growth focussed planning and improving the customer experience.
Steve Rotheram
Mayor, Liverpool City CouncilSteve served as a Liverpool City Councillor in 2002 to represent the Fazakerley ward and as Lord Mayor of Liverpool during the city’s European Capital of Culture year of 2008-2009. In 2010, Steve was elected as the Member of Parliament for the Liverpool Walton constituency. A bricklayer by trade, he’d set up his own company by the age of 22 and later went on to work in various capacities in the construction industry. In May 2017, Steve was elected to become the first ever Metro Mayor of the Liverpool City Region – securing 59% of the vote – on a manifesto that is ambitious, fair, green, connected and that works together. Steve represents the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority on the LEP Board and is Combined Authority lead on Policy, Reform and Resources.
Vicky Savage
Group Director, Development and Sales, L&QVicky joined L&Q in 2018 after four highly successful years as Executive Development at Network Homes. She worked the previous seven years at a senior level at Network Homes in development roles. Vicky trained as an Urban Planner, but housing was her main passion and so moved to post graduate Housing Studies at the London School of Economics. Previously Vicky has worked in a range of housing development roles for over 25 years including time at Origin Housing Group and English Churches Housing Association.
At L&Q Vicky has strategic responsible for all development growth activity including JVs/partnering, estate regeneration and sales in London. Vicky is also responsible for L&Q innovative in-house construction function. L&Q have an ambitious growth target of delivering 100,000 homes in the next 10 years. Vicky leads a multi skilled expert team of circa 600 staff. Vicky is L&Q’s lead Director in the innovative Build London Partnership Project. Developing new homes for small and BME Housing Associations.
Vicky is currently Chair of the London G15 Development Directors Group and plays an active role on this influential London forum. Vicky is particularly interested in achieving greater representation of women in the built environment sector and currently mentors several up and coming female development professionals.
Kanika Selvan
SID and Chair, Customer Experience Committee, Incommunities and Managing Director, Beetroot ConsultingKanika is Senior Independent Director, NED and Chair of Incommunities Customer Experience Committee. She is also a professional speaker who creates thought leadership, championing diversity and inclusion on topics such as change, technology, leadership, and innovation. Founder of Beetroot Consulting, a tech, change consultancy that works with SMEs to develop their digital maturity, she leads both technical change and people change, offering a holistic perspective that considers the business, infrastructure, data and applications.
Charmaine Simei
Chief Executive, Tuntum HousingCharmaine has been working in social housing and related fields for some 28 years.
Since graduating in 1995, she has enjoyed a wide range of roles from front-line worker to CEO.
Charmaine was voted 'Professional of the Year' at the Women in Housing Awards 2021, primarily for establishing the Community Investment arm at Longhurst Housing Association. Charmaine has previously been a mentor with the Housing Diversity Network, and has sat on a number of steering Groups including HACTs Racial Equality Group.
She is currently a serving board member with Communities that Work.
Gavin Smart
Chief Executive, Chartered Institute of HousingPrior to becoming CEO Gavin served as both Deputy CEO and, before that, Director of Policy and Practice at the CIH. Before joining CIH Gavin worked at the National Housing Federation (NHF), latterly as Assistant Director for Research and Futures where he led the NHF’s research and analysis function, it’s future facing thinking and it’s policy work on finance and government investment. Gavin joined the NHF from a spell working for the UK civil service commissioning research and analysis into a variety of housing policy areas. He began his career as an academic researcher at the School for Policy Studies at the University of Bristol.
Paul Smith
@bristolpaul
Chief Executive, Elim HousingPaul has worked in housing for over 30 years, both supported and general needs. He has been the Chief Executive of two organisations, Housing Potential UK (the housing skills body) and the Furniture Re-use Network. He has worked at a senior level for two housing associations and prior to joining Elim was the Cabinet Member for Housing at Bristol city Council. Paul believes his priorities are excellent customer service, sustainable growth of the business and ensuring good governance informed by the views and needs of our residents. Paul has overall responsibility for the delivery of our corporate plan and the delivery of services to all our customers.
Alistair Smyth
Director of Policy and Research, National Housing FederationAlistair joined the NHF in March 2023 on a 12-month secondment from The Guinness Partnership, where he held the role of Director of External Affairs and Social Investment. Alistair has worked in the social housing sector for the last 15 years in a wide range of roles and organisations including a previous spell at the NHF from 2014 to 2017. Prior to that, he worked as a consultant on a range of neighbourhood and community empowerment projects. He also spent three years working in a customer-facing role as a Neighbourhood Manager and as Assistant Head of Neighbourhoods for Peabody. He is currently the Vice Chair of the Chartered Institute of Housing’s Policy Advisory Committee.
Leon Storer
Director of Technical Services, ARK ConsultancyLeon has more than 30 years experience across the social housing sector in key areas of partnership and collaborative working, namely strategic property asset management, decarbonisation, compliance, planned and reactive maintenance, contract procurement, risk management, major capital investment, regeneration and facilities management. He is highly experienced in delivering transformational change to strategic business planning and performance with organisations utilising in-house maintenance teams, external supply chain partners or a combination of both. Leon is aware of the significant changes that the sector needs to adapt to, with new decency standards, compliance, building safety, adopting and implementing ‘smarter’ technologies, addressing skills shortages and achieving the zero carbon agenda.
Naomi Sweeting
Group Head Research and Insights, Places for PeopleNaomi has over 25 years’ experience as an insight, customer experience and strategy professional. She has worked across the public and private sector including positions at Lloyds Banking Group, Central Office of Information, The Research Factor and The University of the West of England. Naomi has worked in housing for the last six years, most recently as Director of Customer Experience at Grand Union Housing. During her time there she delivered the segmentation model she developed for a further 11 housing organisations. Naomi continues to deliver this work as a consultant and is also a Trustee for a mental health charity in Wales.
Natalie Tate
Project Lead for Talking About Housing, Joseph Rowntree FoundationNatalie supports communicators in the housing sector to frame their communications so they build public understanding of why our homes matter. Natalie leads on the Talking about Housing project, which is co-funded by the Nationwide Foundation and Joseph Rowntree Foundation. She has over 20 years’ experience working in housing communications, across internal and external communications, policy and campaigns.
Jean Templeton
Chief Executive, St BasilsJean has been chief executive of St Basils in Birmingham since 2000. They were one of the Housing Corporation Gold winners for tackling homelessness in 2006 and currently the RSL Centre of Excellence in the National Youth Homelessness Scheme.
Helen Thompson
Deputy Chief Executive, Calico GroupThe Calico Group is an innovative group of not-for-profit businesses and charities who provide social housing and a wide range of support services for those dealing with addiction, domestic abuse, homelessness and unemployment across the North West. Dedicating her career to supporting the most excluded in society, Helen has contributed to creating sustainable change through kindness, compassion and inclusion.
Ceri Victory-Rowe
Director, Campbell TickellCeri is a governance and regulation specialist with particular experience in the social housing sector. She works with housing associations, local authorities and other social landlords to ensure their governance is robust and effective and that they comply with regulatory expectations. She takes an holistic approach to governance which recognises that people, culture, behaviours and relationships matter at least as much as structure and process; she is co-author of the NHF Code of Governance 2020.
Dhara Vyas
Deputy Chief Executive, Energy UKDhara joined Energy UK in 2022. She is an expert in energy consumer issues and the energy transition, and was named ‘Executive of the year’ at the 2023 Trade Association Forum Awards. Prior to joining Energy UK Dhara led work on net zero, the future energy system and decarbonisation at Citizens Advice. Dhara began her career in local government and has worked across a broad range of policy areas from civil society to community building and deliberative democracy. She has been an active member of several Government and academic advisory boards, is on the Board of Green Alliance and EVA England.
Hattie Walker-Arnott
Chief Executive, AI-REAIRE is run by Hattie Walker-Arnott. From a global network of secret cultural venues to 60-acre regeneration sites to key worker housing across the UK, Hattie’s work spans an eclectic variety of real estate development projects. She has also worked in proptech as an investor and within businesses.
Jonathan Walters
Deputy Chief Executive, Regulator of Social HousingHaving previously been at Ernst and Young working in social housing consultancy, Jonathan has been at the Regulator since 2004. He has worked across the organisation and has extensive experience in dealing with funders, government and housing associations.
Kate Wareing
Chief Executive, Soha HousingKate has over 20 years’ experience of working for housing, social sector and not for profit organisations, including experience managing and commissioning housing services and as Director of the UK Poverty Programme at Oxfam. She joined the Board in July 2018.
Mark Washer
Chief Executive, SovereignMark joined Sovereign as Chief Executive Officer in June 2018, from his role as Chief Financial Officer at Clarion Housing Group. Mark has worked in the housing sector for 25 years and was, until recently, the Vice Chair of the National Housing Federation.
Anne Waterhouse
Chief Executive, Wandle Housing AssociationAnne became Wandle Housing Association’s Chief Executive in April 2023 and is a Co-optee to Wandle’s Board. Anne joined Wandle from A2Dominion, where she had been for 17 years, holding a variety of senior roles –most recently as Deputy CEO and Executive Director (Central & Financial Services). Prior to working in the housing sector Anne had a variety of roles within the house building industry including as a Finance Director. Anne has a proven track record within the housing sector and is responsible for undertaking the delivery of Wandle’s corporate strategy and working with key stakeholders, to ensure that Wandle continues to support people across south London who need a home.
Rory Weal
Chair, Rural Homelessness Counts CoalitionRory Weal is the founding co-chair of the Rural Homelessness Counts coalition, which brings together a wide range of charities, housing association, and representative bodies with the goal of ending homelessness in rural communities. Rory has worked for UK charities and housing associations in the fields of poverty, mental health, and housing to build long-term solutions to social injustice. Rory is a Churchill Fellow and Thouron Scholar, having spent time in the United States studying international approaches to tackling poverty and homelessness.
Kirsty Wells
Assistant Director, ARK ConsultancyKirsty is an experienced housing professional with a career spanning 28 years. The last 25 of these have been with national membership organisations in Scotland and the UK; most recently she was the Director of Consultancy with Housemark. Kirsty’s passion and expertise lies in housing policy and tenant and resident influence. Kirsty is the inaugural Chair of Women in Social Housing (WISH) in Scotland and previously served eight years as a CIH Scotland board member. Kirsty is a strategic thinker supporting landlords to meet the demands of government policy and regulation with their tenants and residents at the heart of their business operations and performance improvement. She is clear that data should not drive unintended consequences or behaviours from landlords but must be used to improve services and outcomes for tenants. Data is the ‘can-opener’ from which to review and improve. She supports clients to manage change by growing capacity in individuals and teams through facilitation, negotiation and coaching. Communication, adaptability, ethics and high emotional intelligence are at the heart of her approach to meeting the changing needs of her clients. She has supported numerous landlords to embed their tenant engagement activities and in partnership with CIH Scotland she led Housemark Scotland’s involvement in the delivery of the Scottish Government’s national ‘Stepping Up to Scrutiny’ programme.
Selina White
Chief Executive, Magna HousingSelina has led Magna Housing for six years, where she has championed innovative solutions for affordable housing across the South West. As the Chief Executive, she has spearheaded initiatives that prioritise community well-being, sustainability, inclusivity and growth. Selina’s unwavering commitment to affordable housing has made her a respected voice in the industry. She actively collaborates with stakeholders to address housing challenges.
Selina is Chair of the National Housing Federation’s South West Leadership Forum and plays a pivotal role in shaping housing policies and strategies in the region. She is also a dedicated member of Homes for the South West, a collaboration of the 12 largest developing housing associations in the region, helping to shape national housing policy and driving positive change.Cllr Kieron Williams
Leader, Southwark CouncilCouncillor Kieron Williams became Leader of the Council in September 2020. Kieron was elected as a Labour councillor in Camberwell Green ward in 2014. He joined Southwark’s Cabinet in 2018, taking on the jobs, skills and innovation portfolio, and has served as Cabinet Member for Housing and Modernisation since 2019.
Catherine Wilson
Head of Affordable Housing Valuations, SavillsLeading the Savills Affordable Housing Valuation team of circa 30 RICS Registered Valuers, Catherine has over 16 years experience providing valuations for a range of funders and borrowers across the UK. Specialising in Loan Security valuations, Catherine has worked on some of the largest own name bond issues in the sector and leads a team of specialist valuers providing valuations for acquisition, disposal, loan security, privatisation, and investment portfolios, as well as strategic property advice to residential and commercial occupiers. The Savills Affordable Housing provides a range of strategic and property consultancy advice to housing associations, local authorities, For Profit Registered Providers, funders, investors and developers.
Ian Wright
Chief Executive and Founder, Disruptive Innovators NetworkIan is the Founder and CEO of the Disruptive Innovators Network the largest corporate innovation community operating in the social housing sector with members responsible for managing nearly 2m affordable homes. Ian has worked in the social housing sector for nearly 40 years and continues to challenge and inspire leaders to improve and transform their organisations to provide better services for tenants and residents. Most of his work is focussed on outside of the housing sector with a desire to learn from others around the best examples of leadership, customer experience, people and culture, PropTech and digital and data. He has been inside and met leaders from some of the biggest brands on the planet including the likes of Apple, Amazon, Google, Salesforce, IKEA, LEGO, Tesla, Netflix, Spotify as well UK businesses such as AO.com, John Lewis, Innocent Drinks. Through DINs work he is helping the sector build new operating models, experiment with new technologies and scale up innovations which can transform service delivery.
Dr Wei Yang
Chair, Wei Yang & Partners and Chief Executive Officer, Digital Task Force for PlanningDr Wei Yang is an internationally renowned town planner and urban designer who champions a place-based, whole-systems approach to tackle the grand challenges of our times. She is an influential thought leader and a powerful advocate for climate action, nature-based solutions, health and well-being, and social equality.
Currently, Wei serves as Chair of the Construction Industry Council (CIC). She was President for 2021 of the RTPI and was named a Net Zero Hero by Digital Leaders in 2022. Wei is the Chairman of Wei Yang & Partners, an award-winning master planning firm in London, and also, co-founder and CEO of the Digital Task Force for Planning - an innovation led not-for-profit social enterprise with the mission to unlock the full potential of spatial planning in the digital era.
Through her leadership in various areas, Wei builds a bridge between research, development, and policy. Wei is a Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences, a Fellow of the RTPI, and an Honorary Professor at University College London. Wei also holds several board-level and advisory roles across different sectors. Currently, a board member of the British Library, a representative of the Global Planner Networks (GPN) at the UN Habitat Profession Forum, and Professional Co-chair of the UN Habitat World Urban Campaign Steering Committee.