What's on
Tuesday 18 November

8.30am Registration, networking breakfast and exhibition viewing

8.45am CHC's Annual General Meeting

9.45am Chair's Welcome - Sian Lloyd 

9.55am Opening speech: Stuart Ropke, Chief Executive, Community Housing Cymru  

10.15am Keynote: Jayne Bryant MS, Cabinet Secretary for Housing and Local Government 

10.40am Panel Session: Perspectives on placemaking: How can housing support thriving communities through regeneration, innovation and collaboration?

How do we move placemaking from a "nice to have" to a core national priority? This session explores what it really takes to build thriving communities. We've brought together leaders who operate at every level of regeneration to explore how to connect:

• Regional Strategy: Mike Brough (Cardiff Capital Region) on the vision for large-scale economic growth and investment.

• Community Action: Adam Kennerley (DTA Wales) on empowering "bottom-up" regeneration and community ownership.

• Housing Delivery: Sian Diaz (Lovell) on delivering medium to large scale projects, including within the HA sector.

Building on these practical perspectives, the panel will then turn to the future. This is a crucial discussion on the specific policies, funding models, and strategic partnerships we need from the next Welsh Government to truly make placemaking a reality for all.

11.40am Hive UK launch

Andrew van Doorn, Chief Executive, HACT

11.55am Panel Session: Housing Across the UK Nations: Policy, Power and Change

A new UK Government is reshaping priorities in Westminster, while political shifts in Wales and Scotland could yet redefine devolved housing ambitions.

Amid tight budgets, growing housing demand and political uncertainty, this session explores how the housing sectors in each nation are adapting, influencing and leading through change.

In conversation with:

• Kate Henderson, National Housing Federation

• Richard Meade, Scottish Federation of Housing Associations

• Stuart Ropke, Community Housing Cymru

1.40pm Workshops

Leading Through Change: Managing Leadership Tensions in Tough Times
The Lab

In a climate of significant operational change and constrained resources, the pressure on leadership teams is immense. This can often lead to internal tensions that pull focus from the core mission.

In this interactive workshop designed as a forum for honest, guided discussion, we will explore practical strategies for navigating these challenges, managing difficult conversations productively, and ensuring your leadership team can move forward with alignment and resilience when it matters most.

• Pip Gwynn, Insight HRC

A Fresh Perspective: The Student Housing Experience

The Learning Hub

Are we truly meeting the needs of the next generation? This vital session offers a direct and unmissable perspective on what is on students' minds. Hear first-hand about the housing realities facing students today—from affordability and the cost-of-living crisis to poor standards and insecurity.

This is a crucial opportunity to understand the anxieties and aspirations of young people in Wales and to explore how housing associations can better engage with and provide solutions for this key part of our future tenant and colleague base.

• Deio Owen, NUS Cymru

The Power of Food: The Well-Fed Partnership

The Science Theatre

Food insecurity is a critical challenge for our tenants, and housing associations are in a unique position to help. This session explores the power of strategic partnerships to tackle food poverty at scale.

We will dive into the "Well-Fed" initiative, a social enterprise partnership between Flintshire County Council, Can Cook, and one of our own members, Clwyd Alyn. Learn how this innovative model is delivering tens of thousands of meals to residents, supporting housing association staff, tackling the cost-of-living crisis, and using food as a vehicle to build healthier, more resilient communities.

• Ed Hughes, ClwydAlyn
  
  

Pathway to Board: A Proven Model for a More Diverse Sector

Main Room

Good governance demands that our boards reflect the communities we serve.

This session dives into the successful, collaborative "Pathway to Board" programme, an initiative specifically designed to support and equip individuals from Black, Asian, and minority ethnic backgrounds to become "Board ready." 

Hear directly from participants how this Welsh housing-led partnership provides structured training, mentorship, and real-world observation to develop new leaders. This is a must-see session for anyone committed to diversifying leadership, tackling under-representation, and building a truly inclusive governance structure for the future.

3.05pm Workshops

AI with Purpose: Enabling Housing Transformation
Main Room

Artificial Intelligence is here, but what does it really mean for a Welsh housing associations?

This session cuts through the noise to provide a clear-headed guide based on practical experience of a large association in England. We'll start by demystifying AI: what are the different types, and what is a realistic AI policy for our sector? We will then explore a practical roadmap of use cases:

• Now: What can we do today with, for example, AI-powered chatbots and automated tenant comms?

• Medium-Term: How can we use predictive analytics for repairs, damp, and tenancy support?

• Long-Term: What will the 'Housing Association of the Future' look like in 10 years? A view of what the future of intelligent, people-centred housing could look like and how do we build the ethical framework to get there safely.

This is your essential briefing on the biggest technological shift of our time, focusing on the opportunities and ethical challenges for our staff and tenants.

• Jon Cocker, Platform Housing

What Are Tenants Telling Us? A TPAS Cymru Briefing

The Lab

What are the real-world concerns, priorities, and experiences of tenants across Wales today? This vital session is led by TPAS Cymru, who will share a comprehensive overview of the key trends, feedback, and issues they are hearing from the ground. This is an essential session for anyone looking to gain a clear picture of the tenant perspective to inform future service delivery.

• David Wilton, TPAS Cymru

Getting to a Greener Future: An Outcomes-Based Approach

The Learning Hub

 We all share the goal of a greener future, but how do we get there effectively and affordably?

This session challenges traditional approaches to retrofit, focusing instead on an outcomes-based model. 

Join us to explore how designing and funding programmes around clear, measurable outcomes—such as improved health, lower bills, and carbon reduction—can unlock new investment and ensure our projects deliver real, lasting value for tenants.

• James Williams, Sero
  
  

Managing organisational change

Science Theatre

Organisational change is inevitable — but managing it effectively while staying compliant with evolving employment law is a growing challenge for housing leaders in Wales.

In this session, an experienced employment lawyer will unpack the latest legal developments shaping HR practice, from workforce restructuring and redundancy to hybrid working and employee relations. 

The session will explore how senior leaders and HR teams can navigate these changes confidently and lawfully, while protecting organisational integrity and staff wellbeing.

Through practical examples and legal insights, delegates will gain a clearer understanding of:

• Legal considerations when implementing organisational change or restructuring

• Managing risk while maintaining fairness, transparency and trust

• Building a proactive, legally sound approach to people management
  
  

This session is essential for HR Directors, Chief Executives and senior stakeholders who play a key role in shaping organisational change and ensuring compliance in an evolving policy landscape.

• Louise Price, Hugh James
  
  

4.15pm In conversation with Vicky Spratt

Join us for this compelling and unmissable session as our Deputy CEO, Clarissa Corbisiero, sits down with Vicky Spratt—one of the UK's most incisive housing journalists and campaigners.

This structured conversation will move from the present context to our future path. We'll explore the real-world impacts of the housing crisis on people and communities today, before scanning the horizon to analyse the key policy shifts (in both Wales and the UK) that will influence our context for years to come. Finally, they'll discuss: what are the unique opportunities for Wales? As a "critical friend," Vicky will share her sharp insights on what we can learn from England’s journey and how Welsh housing associations can prepare to play their part in full during these changing political and economic times.

4.45pm  Reflections on Day 1

What's on
Wednesday 19 November

8.45am Registration, networking and exhibition viewing

9.50am Introduction to Day 2 - Sian Lloyd

10.10am Keynote: A New Political Map for Wales

The 2026 Senedd election will be like no other. A larger Senedd and a brand-new voting system mean the political map of Wales is about to be redrawn.

In this essential keynote, Dr Jac Larner of Cardiff University will explore the profound social and political shifts of the last few years before explaining exactly how this new institutional electoral system will work. He will then provide expert predictions for the 2026 results.

Crucially for us, Dr Larner will share data-driven insights into what Welsh voters really think about the key issues facing them, their communities, and the country—and where housing fits into that picture.

10.40am Panel session - The Year Ahead: Politics, Policy, and People

How do we plan for a future that is so uncertain? This crucial panel session will scan the horizon for the key shifts we can expect, giving you the strategic insight needed to navigate the challenges and opportunities ahead.

This is your high-level briefing from three of Wales's leading experts, who will connect the dots between:

• Politics: Dr Jac Larner (Cardiff University) will provide the political analysis and what to expect in the run-up to the 2026 Senedd election.

• Policy: Nerys Evans (Cavendish Cymru) will offer insider insight on the policy developments and political realities shaping government decisions.

• People: Dr Steffan Evans (Bevan Foundation) will analyse the economic forecasts and social trends impacting our tenants, from the cost of living to poverty and inequality.e
  
  

In conversation with:

• Dr Jac Larner, Cardiff University

• Steffan Evans, Bevan Foundation

• Nerys Evans, Cavendish

11.10am Building Safety: Are You Ready?

The next wave of building safety legislation is coming, and the implications for leaders are significant.

In this essential briefing, Mark London of Devonshires cuts through the complexity. He provides a high-level guide on the strategic steps you must take now to manage risk, ensure compliance, and embed a culture of safety before the changes land.

11.50am Workshops

The Strategic Route to Decarb: Policy, People, and Practice
Main room

Achieving our net-zero ambitions demands a clear strategy, a skilled workforce, and proven delivery models. This high-level session provides the complete strategic picture. Hear directly from the Welsh Government as they set out the national strategic overview and future plans for decarbonisation. Then, Pobl will address the crucial skills gap, outlining new workforce solutions like the Green Careers Pathway. Finally, Nesta will share vital evidence on what actually works on the ground, drawing from their latest research on how to successfully scale up delivery and from Start at Home, a new initiative to build a robust heat pump installer workforce.

• Rhiannon Phillips, Welsh Government

• Samantha Howells and Tim Beckinsdale, Pobl Group

• Marine Furet, Nesta Cymru

Beyond the Structure: Leading Mergers & Culture with Systems Thinking
The Lab

A merger—or any major organisational change—is often seen as a structural exercise. But its real success is determined by culture, leadership, and a deep understanding of tenant service.

This session explores how systems thinking provides a powerful leadership approach to navigate this complexity.

Hear from experts at Vanguard Wales on what this philosophy means in practice, before Debbie Green, CEO of Beacon, shares her first-hand story of using these principles to lead their recent merger, ensuring a relentless focus on culture, excellence, and tenant impact.

• Debbie Green, Beacon Cymru

• Patrick Hoare, Beacon Cymru 

• Toby Rubbra, Vanguard Wales

Sensitively dealing with misinformation - a toolkit for engagement
The Learning Hub

In an age of rapid social media, rumours and false narratives can quickly damage tenant trust. This is one of the most difficult topics we face, and there are no easy answers. This workshop is therefore designed as a safe space for open, critical reflection and learning from each other. 

We will explore how to respond to misinformation constructively and sensitively, moving beyond theory to build a practical toolkit for engagement. Come prepared to share your own challenges and successes in a confidential, supportive environment.

• Catherine Evans, Trivallis

A Blueprint for the Future: Inside the Tai ar y Cyd Project
Science Theatre

An opportunity to hear about Tai ar y Cyd – an ambitious collaboration of 25 Welsh social landlords. They have co created a pattern book and performance spec with their members and supply chain, and landlords have started to prototype the use of these Tai ar y Cyd resources. Partnerships with this ambition and scale are quite rare in Wales, so come to this session and hear about progress, what challenges they are facing and what the future looks like.

• Steve Cranston

1.00pm Keynote -  The New Strategic Playbook: Why Tech is Now Everyone's Business
Carl Miller

Technology is no longer just an "IT issue"—it is now a core strategic force. 

In this keynote, leading author Carl Miller (Demos) argues that forces like AI, the speed of misinformation, and the new dynamics of trust are fundamentally reshaping the business landscape.

He will provide a high-level briefing on how these new realities are changing tenant expectations and creating new strategic risks and opportunities for every housing association.

This session will challenge you to think beyond "tech tools" and start building your new strategic playbook.

1.30pm Panel session - The Trust Challenge: Learning from Health, Faith, and Community

Tenant trust is our most valuable asset, yet it's fragile and often hard-won. In an age of rapid social media and misinformation, how do we build genuine, lasting connections? This unique panel argues that housing associations can't do it alone.

Join us for a critical discussion with a diverse panel of leaders who build trust in very different contexts:

• Bill Rowlands, Ending Youth Homelessness Cymru

• Leah Morantz, Public Health Wales

• Catherine Evans, Trivallis

• Matt Batten, Bangor Diocese

We’ll learn from Public Health about communicating clearly and countering misinformation; from the faith sector about building deep, long-term community roots; and from the homelessness sector about engaging our most vulnerable and hard-to-reach citizens. See how these lessons are being applied inside a fellow housing association in a session designed to give you a fresh perspective on building real, sustainable trust.

2.00pm  Reflections on Day 2