Speakers Day 1

Sian Lloyd
Presenter and journalist

An experienced journalist and broadcaster, Sian is a familiar face with viewers across the UK from presenting national programmes, including BBC Breakfast, BBC Crimewatch Roadshow and Panorama. She has also reported on some of the key moments in recent history as a senior news correspondent for the BBC network.Sian began her TV and Radio career in Wales as a reporter, and then presenter of BBC Wales Today and the drive-time radio programme Good Evening Wales.Sian grew up in Wrexham and learnt Welsh. She also appears on Welsh language programmes for S4C.Now self-employed, Sian undertakes a wide range of projects including chairing conferences and panel discussions.

Stuart Ropke
Chief Executive
Community Housing Cymru

Stuart was appointed as Chief Executive at Community Housing Cymru in October 2014. Previously Assistant Director of Policy and Research at the National Housing Federation, the trade body for housing associations in England, he was responsible for leading the Federation’s Policy and Research function, and for shaping the Federation’s futures and thought leadership work. He is the co-author of the Federation’s think piece “Facing the Future: Evolution or Revolution”, which argued for creative ways to finance affordable housing. In 2014, Stuart joined the board at The Housing Finance Corporation (THFC), an independent not for profit organisation which makes loans to regulated housing associations across the UK, before resigning upon his appointment at Community Housing Cymru.Prior to joining the National Housing Federation, Stuart worked for local authorities in both Swansea and Cardiff and Southern Housing Group in London across roles in housing management, supported housing and policy and strategy.

Clarissa Corbisiero
Director of Policy & External Affairs
Community Housing Cymru

Clarissa is Community Housing Cymru’s Deputy Chief Executive and Director of External Affairs.In her role, Clarissa works with housing associations to influence government and other key stakeholders on a wide range of policy areas.

Clarissa, who is originally from Swansea and started her role at Community Housing Cymru in July 2016, was previously Head of Policy at the National Housing Federation and has a background in local government.

Derek Walker
Future Generations Commissioner for Wales

Derek is the Future Generations Commissioner for Wales, serving as the independent guardian for the interests of people not yet born. Appointed in March 2023 under the pioneering Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act, Walker is tasked with challenging and supporting public bodies to embed long-term, sustainable thinking into today's policy and spending decisions.Prior to this role, Walker spent 12 years as the Chief Executive of Cwmpas, the UK’s largest co-operative development agency, where he successfully refocused the organisation toward sustainable community development and job creation. His extensive career in public policy and advocacy includes roles as the Head of External Affairs at the Big Lottery Fund (Wales), Head of Policy and Campaigns at the Wales TUC, and the first official employee of Stonewall Cymru. Walker holds a Master’s degree in International Journalism from Cardiff University.

Gemma Clissett
Partnerships Director for South Wales and West
Lovell Partnerships

Gemma is responsible for driving growth and new business across the region and leads the land and partnerships team to identify and secure new opportunities to facilitate the delivery of the region's growth plans.She is a specialist in establishing and developing relationships with local authorities and housing providers to advance scheme progress and deliver an optimum housing solution. Working for the business for over 15 years, Gemma has developed an excellent network of contacts across the region and has been involved in securing large-scale and multi-phased partnership schemes.

Rhianydd Jenkins
Executive Director of Development & Growth
Beacon Cymru

Rhianydd has over 20 years of hands-on experience in the construction and property sectors. Specialising in the delivery of high-quality affordable housing and mixed-use schemes, Rhianydd has built a respected career within the Registered Social Landlord sector in South Wales.At Beacon, Rhianydd oversees the overall development programme, steering strategic partnerships, driving wider growth opportunities, and managing the delivery of approximately 200 new homes each year. Deeply committed to community-focused impact, Rhianydd also leads on Social Value across the organisation. By embedding social value into procurement, development plans, and workplace culture, Rhianydd ensures that Beacon's initiatives directly answer local needs, align with Welsh social value expectations, and actively foster a fairer, more sustainable future for the communities they serve.

Akshita Lakhiwal
Net Zero Engagement Officer
TPAS Cymru

Akshita is the Net Zero Engagement Officer at TPAS Cymru, an organisation dedicated to supporting social housing tenants and landlords across Wales. In her role, Akshita is deeply passionate about driving tenant voice and engagement within the decarbonisation and sustainability agendas. She leads initiatives that help tenants navigate the transition toward net zero housing, ensuring that community perspectives are central to environmental policy.Her work focuses on critical areas such as affordable warmth, home energy efficiency, and the deployment of renewable technologies like solar energy. She regularly champions co-design and collaboration between social housing providers and residents to deliver low-carbon homes that are comfortable and cost-effective. Beyond her role at TPAS Cymru, Akshita actively supports diverse leadership within the sector, having participated in the Pathway to Board program, and she serves as a board member for Community Energy Wales.

Andy Fraser
Operations Manager
Onnen

Andrew is a senior leader in the social housing and retrofit sector, currently serving as Senior Business Manager for Onnen, a joint venture dedicated to improving the energy efficiency of homes across North Wales. Overseeing multimillion-pound programmes and a growing operational team, he leads the delivery of Solar PV, PV Battery Storage, ASHP, CWI, EWI and loft insulation measures to strict PAS 2035/2030 standards. His work directly supports Welsh Government decarbonisation goals while making a tangible difference to tenants’ lives — reducing energy bills, improving comfort, and helping households move out of fuel poverty. Under his leadership, Onnen has expanded rapidly, delivering hundreds of installs each year and building strong partnerships with local SMEs to ensure investment stays within the community.With 36 years of experience spanning joinery, site supervision, project management, and social housing development, Andrew brings a rare blend of practical construction knowledge and strategic operational leadership. His background includes delivering passive house schemes, managing complex organisational projects, and leading high-value planned works programmes. Known for his resident-centred approach, strong work ethic, and ability to build high-performing teams, he is committed to creating homes that are warmer, healthier, and more affordable for the people who live in them. Alongside his professional work, Andrew contributes to his community as Chairman of Colwyn Bay Junior Football Club, a youth coach, and a former Police Special Constable — reflecting his belief in service, leadership, and positive local impact.

Rhea Stevens
Head of Policy & External Affairs
Community Housing Cymru

Rhea has worked for Community Housing for six years, leading on policy issues such as affordability and rent, as well as external communications and public affairs. Rhea was a member of the Welsh Government's Affordable Homes Taskforce, which set out a road map to increasing the supply of social housing in Wales. Previously Rhea specialised in children’s and social care policy, as well as leading policy work at the Institute of Welsh Affairs. She has also worked as a Social Work Assistant in Newport and in project development in Russia.

Sam Austin
Chair
Cardiff & Vale Regional Partnership Board

Sam Austin is the Chief Executive of Llamau, a leading Welsh charity dedicated to ending youth homelessness and supporting women and families experiencing homelessness and domestic abuse. Bringing decades of experience in the third sector, Sam has been pivotal in steering the organisation’s mission to provide safe accommodation, mental health support, and lifelong learning opportunities for individuals facing extreme adversity.A passionate advocate for integrated public services, Sam heavily champions collaboration between the third sector and statutory bodies.Sam is the new Chair of Cardiff and Vale Regional Partnership Boards (RPBs), and is passionate about bridging gaps between housing, health, and social care. By representing third-sector interests on RPBs, she ensures that preventative, trauma-informed housing solutions are central to regional strategic planning. Through this collaborative framework, Austin continues to drive system-wide changes, ensuring that public resources are effectively mobilized to protect the most marginalised communities across Wales.

Callum Allen-Ridge
Assistant Director of the Delivery Unit
Swansea Bay University Health Board

Callum is an innovative healthcare leader with a proven track record in frontline NHS transformation. Currently on a six-month secondment, he serves as the Head of the Programme Management Office and Assistant Director of the Delivery Unit for Swansea Bay University Health Board, stepping away from his substantive role as Head of Patient Flow at Morriston Hospital.Known for his collaborative, compassionate, and transparent style, Callum navigates complex healthcare pressures to restore safety, efficiency, and dignity to acute environments. He previously advanced flow management systems at the Bristol NHS network and Cardiff and Vale UHB, co-developing digital trackers like the STAMP system. A graduate of the prestigious Climb Leadership Programme and the Spread and Scale Academy, Callum spearheaded Morriston’s "Your Next Patient" initiative. His strategic, system-wide changes drastically reduced ambulance queue times and optimized emergency department flow, delivering lasting operational improvements to Welsh healthcare.

Fflur Jones
Performance Audit Lead
Audit Wales

Fflur is an experienced public sector auditor at Audit Wales (the public body responsible for auditing public services in Wales). Throughout her career with the national audit agency, Jones has specialised in reviewing the efficiency, governance, and overall effectiveness of health, social care, and local government services.She has been a core member of the NHS performance audit team, including Audit Wales' major review of the Integrated Care Fund, which evaluated how regional partners collaborate to deliver sustainable services. More recently, Fflur has been instrumental in leading performance audits on urgent and emergency care, specifically focusing on patient flow out of hospitals. In this capacity, she frequently engages with Local Health Boards, local authorities, and Regional Partnership Boards to present findings, monitor compliance, and advocate for structural improvements that maximise regional funding and enhance long-term patient outcomes across Wales.

Bethan Underwood
Health and Housing Innovation Programme Manager
Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board

Beth began her professional journey in education before transitioning to the social housing sector, where she spent 13 years managing frontline teams and driving service improvements across South Wales. This extensive experience fueled her deep belief in the importance of person-centered change and addressing the complex social factors that influence people's lives.In 2020, Beth joined the NHS Wales Improvement Service to apply her expertise to healthcare design. By 2023, she stepped into the role of Health and Housing Innovation Programme Manager at Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board, leading the Healthy Housing Alliance. In this role, Beth champions cross-sector collaboration to build healthier communities, recognizing stable housing as a critical foundation for health.Additionally, as a recognized Bevan Fellow, Beth spearheads the "3 Communities" project, focusing on systems thinking and co-produced, relational change to empower local communities across the region.

Henrik von Bahr
VP, Strategic Accounts
Plentific

Henrik is a seasoned expert in global digital transformation, strategy, and business development, with over 20 years of experience navigating high-complexity environments. While his foundation was built within the rigorous corridors of the world’s leading financial institutions including Nomura, Morgan Stanley, Citigroup, and Deutsche Bank. Henrik has dedicated the last decade to a singular mission: optimising the power of AI to revolutionise the UK social housing sector.Henrik is a passionate advocate for the "Capability Shift"; the belief that AI is not merely a technical rollout, but a fundamental evolution in how organisations operate. He specialises in helping leaders move from legacy "systems of record" to automated and AI-augmented operating models that prioritise resident safety, operational efficiency, and human-centric service.A graduate of the prestigious Stockholm School of Economics (MSc), Henrik’s sharp eye for disruptive innovation led him to become one of the founding investors in Plentific. Drawn by the ambition to fix real estate operations, he has remained a driving force behind the company’s journey, championing the use of data to solve the sector's most "unsolvable" challenges.Known for his ability to drive cultural and digital alignment, Henrik bridges the gap between institutional logic and cutting-edge tech. He is a frequent advisor to executive teams, empowering them to view automation and AI as a powerful lever for growth in the housing sector.

Sian Gwenllian MS
Cabinet Minister for Local Government, Housing and Planning
Welsh Government

Siân was elected to the National Assembly in 2016. She represents the Arfon constituency as a member of Plaid Cymru. Siân was re-elected to the Welsh Parliament in 2021, doubling her majority with 63.3% of the vote - the highest percentage of any candidate throughout Wales.

She currently holds the Housing and Planning portfolio for Plaid Cymru (2024-) following her role as the Lead Designated Member on the Co-operation Agreement (2021-2024) between Plaid Cymru and the Welsh Labour Government. During the fourth and fifth Senedd terms, she has held various policy portfolios for Plaid Cymru including Education/Local Government/Planning/ Welsh Language/Culture and has been the Party’s Senedd Commissioner, Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Deputy Leader in the Senedd.

Siân worked as a journalist with the BBC, HTV and Golwg. She also worked in public relations including as press officer for Gwynedd Council.

Her interests outside politics include theatre, art, the Welsh music scene, football and rugby.

She has been a passionate campaigner for women's equality and the Welsh language for over 45 years.

Paul Bradley
Director of External Affairs
Scottish Federation of Housing Associations (SFHA)

Paul is Director of External Affairs at the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations (SFHA), where he leads the organisation's policy, research, communications, events, and public affairs function. Over his career in housing, higher education, the voluntary sector, open government, and sustainable development, he has helped mission-driven organisations shape the policy environments they operate in.Paul was previously Head of Government Relations at the University of Glasgow, where he advised the Principal and Vice-Chancellor. He is an accredited MCIPR practitioner (Dip CIPR) with extensive experience advising senior leaders on external strategy and stakeholder engagement. He has served as a Policy Committee Member for Prosper and has held board roles with the Strathclyde Students' Union and the Foundation for Democracy and Sustainable Development.

Auriol Miller
Chief Executive
Cynon Taf Community Housing Group

Auriol is CEO of Cynon Taf Community Housing Group (CTCHG), a housing association rooted in Rhondda Cynon Taf. CTCHG looks after more than 2,000 homes, including four older persons’ developments and, with specialist partners, two refuges and supported homes for people with learning disabilities.She served on the Expert Panel supporting the Independent Commission on the Constitutional Future of Wales, established as part of the Welsh Government - Plaid Cymru Cooperation Agreement, which explored options for constitutional reform and stronger Welsh democracy.Auriol joined CTCHG from the Institute of Welsh Affairs (IWA), where she had been Director since 2017, leading work on Wales’ economy and democracy.She has over 25 years’ experience leading non-profit organisations in Wales and across the globe, spanning service delivery for vulnerable people and policy advocacy with governments.

Ollie Cole
Journalist/producer
Times Radio/The Times

Ollie Cole is an experienced broadcast journalist and producer, currently working for Times Radio and The Times. Based in London with roots in West Wales, Ollie has spent over a decade working across the UK media landscape. He produces and reports breaking news, analysis and major national stories, from politics and policing to health and heatwaves.Ollie began his career in 2012 in regional radio across West Wales before expanding into freelance journalism for prominent national organisations, including the BBC, Metro, and the KM Media Group. Committed to supporting the next generation of media talent, he serves as a charity trustee for the Student Publication Association and co-hosts Senedd Sources, a podcast dedicated to Welsh politics.

Stuart Fitzgerald
Deputy Director, More Homes Division
Welsh Government

As a senior civil servant, Stuart plays a central role in shaping and executing housing strategy across Wales, working alongside the Cabinet Minister for Local Government, Housing and planning to address the nation's pressing housing demands.A primary focus of his leadership is navigating the complexities of delivering the Welsh Government’s ambitious target of 20,000 new social homes by 2030. Stuart is heavily involved in managing the strategic balance between new home construction and property acquisitions, while overseeing delivery pipelines to accelerate housing schemes under budgetary pressures. Known for his practical, problem-solving approach, he frequently represents the government at Senedd committee scrutiny sessions and collaborates with sector partners to champion innovative, community-led housing solutions that alleviate homelessness and expand affordable housing stock throughout Wales.

Helga Warren
Head of More Homes, Improvement and Change
Welsh Government

Stephen Evans
Director for Property and Assets and Deputy Chief Executive
Caredig

Stephen has dedicated over 20 years to the housing sector, accumulating extensive experience in frontline, management, and senior leadership roles across South Wales and the North of England.

He joined Caredig in April 2020 as Head of Housing, later advancing to Director for Customers and Communities before stepping into his executive position in April 2026.

In his current role, he leads Caredig’s repairs, compliance, empty homes, estates, assets, and decarbonisation teams, with a sharp focus on delivering safe, high-quality, and energy-efficient homes.

Highly collaborative, Stephen is a past Chair of the Community Housing Cymru Welfare Reform Strategic Delivery Group and serves as a Trustee for Cardiff and the Vale Care & Repair.

Sarah Turner
Care and Support Services Manager
Caredig

Sarah is a dedicated housing and care professional at Caredig. With a deep commitment to enhancing the lives of residents, Sarah plays a central role in delivering community-focused solutions and embedding empathetic care into the organisation’s foundational practices.Among her key responsibilities, Sarah serves as the registered manager for all the Care and Support services. This incorporates both Hazel Court, providing care to older people and the supported living domestic care service, where they house approximately 102 individuals (adults 18+) with mental health needs and substance use across Swansea and Neath Port Talbot. A strong advocate for progressive housing models, she is actively involved in championing Caredig's strategic journey to embed the Trauma and Adverse Childhood Experiences (TrACE) Informed framework. By utilising a "Kindness" mandate supported by a 360 Psychological Model, Sarah works to ensure that social housing environments are safe, inclusive, and fundamentally supportive of long-term tenant well-being.

Ceri Willmott
Director for People and Culture
Caredig

Mark Woollard
Senior analyst, A Sustainable Future mission
NESTA

Max is a knowledgeable professional working as an senior analyst within the sustainable future mission at Nesta, the UK's innovation agency for social good. Max specialises in researching domestic flexibility, green finance for low carbon technologies, and exploring alternative pathways to effectively decarbonise the residential energy sector.Max holds an MSc in Smart Energy in the Built Environment from The Bartlett, UCL, where his academic research focused extensively on the behavior and optimisation of private energy assets. Prior to joining Nesta, Max built valuable operational experience managing client relations and administration for the Zoological Society of London, following the completion of a BSc in Environmental Sciences from the University of Leeds. Driven by a deep commitment to environmental sustainability, Max plays a vital role in analysing complex consumption patterns and public perceptions, helping shape innovative, practical solutions for a cleaner and more energy-efficient future.

Grant Prosser
Head of Development
Codi Group

With an extensive and diverse background in the Welsh housing sector, Grant is an expert in managing large-scale construction pipelines, sustainable placemaking, and affordable housing delivery.Throughout his career, which includes a successful tenure as a construction manager for Wales & West Housing Association, Grant has been a strong champion for highly energy-efficient, eco-friendly infrastructure. He has frequently led pioneering, low-carbon initiatives and monitored thermal performance measurements to address fuel poverty and shape future zero-carbon social housing standards. At Codi, Grant oversees strategic urban regeneration and mixed-tenure developments across East Wales, working closely with local authorities and sector partners to deliver innovative, high-quality residential schemes—such as Cardiff's landmark plant-covered development, The Cascade—that foster connection and community well-being.

Neil Phillpott
Managing Director
Langstone Construction Group

Neil is the Managing Director of Langstone Construction Group, leading the business with a strong focus on collaboration, innovation, and sustainable growth.With extensive experience across the construction and development sectors, he has built a reputation for delivering high-quality residential, regeneration, and commercial projects through strategic partnerships and a client-focused approach.

Neil is passionate about creating lasting social value and believes that successful developments are achieved through early collaboration, modern construction methods, and strong leadership.

Under his direction, Langstone Construction Group continues to expand its portfolio while maintaining a commitment to quality, safety, and community impact. He is a strong advocate for working closely with housing associations, local authorities, and private sector partners to address the housing challenges facing Wales and to deliver places where people and communities can thrive.

Amy Bainton
Head of Policy
Tai Pawb

Amy is a dedicated professional at Tai Pawb, an organisation at the forefront of promoting equality, diversity, and social justice in Welsh housing. Amy plays a key role in driving progressive housing policy, specialising in making complex legislative and political topics approachable, engaging, and directly connected to the people they affect.With a strong background in public affairs, policy development, and advocacy, Amy places a vital emphasis on equality and ensuring the tenant voice remains at the center of all major decision-making. Amy works collaboratively to bridge the gap between high-level politics and practical housing provision, championing equitable practices and inclusive solutions across the sector. Dedicated to tackling systemic barriers, Amy continues to advocate for a fairer, more inclusive housing landscape where safe and supportive homes are accessible to every community across Wales.

Adekanye Ifaturoti
Commercial surveyor
Taff Housing

Adekanye is a dedicated development professional and tenant advocate currently working within the Development Team at Taff Housing. With a strong academic background that includes a first degree in Housing Studies alongside advanced studies focused on the built environment, Adekanye brings both technical insight and practical expertise to sustainable residential project management.At Taff Housing, Adekanye is actively involved in driving cutting-edge, low-carbon initiatives, such as piloting innovative infrared wallpaper and energy-efficient building strategies to future-proof new homes. Beyond this role, Adekanye sits on the Board of Directors for TPAS Cymru and serves as a vital member of Linc Cymru’s Tenant and Resident Scrutiny Group. Driven by a deep commitment to social housing, Adekanye champions tenant voice and affordable warmth, collaborating closely with residents to design sustainable, community-first solutions that ensure high-quality and affordable living spaces for everyone.

Caroline O'Flaherty
Partner and Head of Social Housing
Hugh James

Caroline has been a partner in Hugh James since 2012 with over 26 years of experience in advising the housing sector in Wales and is our social housing lead partner. Previously named “Consultant of the Year” at the Women in Housing Awards, she specialises in complex development sites, mixed use schemes, extra care schemes and multi-million pound regeneration schemes. These have had SHG funding, Innovative Housing Programme funding or CCR funding. Caroline is highly regarded within the sector, providing strategic property advice to major RSLs across Wales including the Pobl Group, Hedyn, Tai Tarian and Trivallis. As part of a full-service law firm headquartered in Wales, Caroline is uniquely placed to serve housing providers in the region. Her team’s understanding of devolved legislation, funding arrangements and governance requirements as well as a top tier private sector housebuilding practice, continues to set the firm apart, especially as housing policy in Wales increasingly diverges from that of England. Clients value Caroline’s down-to earth and pragmatic approach to always finding a way through the complexities.

Clare Way
Director of Operations
Tai Tarian

With a career deeply rooted in public service and community welfare, Clare is responsible for leading the strategic delivery of housing services, tenant support, and operational management across the organisation's extensive property portfolio.Clare began her professional journey as a student with Newport City Council, where she was sponsored to complete a Master’s degree in Housing at Cardiff University. Building on this academic foundation, she accumulated diverse experience working across two other local authority areas. Throughout her career, she has held pivotal positions bridging housing management, supported housing, and corporate strategy. At Tai Tarian, Clare leverages this comprehensive expertise to drive high-quality, tenant-focused services, ensuring that the organisation effectively delivers sustainable homes and impactful community development initiatives.

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