Speakers Day 2

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.

Seamus Hoyle
Dean of Flexible and Work-Based Learning and the Director of Industry Engagement
Technological University of the Shannon

Seamus is the Dean of Flexible and Work-Based Learning and the Director of Industry Engagement at the Technological University of the Shannon. A highly experienced mechanical engineer with master’s degrees in renewable energy and energy management, Seamus has spent over 25 years leading pioneering initiatives in sustainable energy, higher education, and flexible learning environments.As a dedicated researcher and Principal Investigator of the Sustainable Development Research Institute (SDRI) at the TUS Thurles Campus, Seamus actively works to address real-world community and climate challenges. He spearheads the innovation Digital Academy for Sustainable Built Environment (DASBE) which he established in 2020. Beyond his university roles, Seamus serves as the Chair of the Board of the Tipperary Energy Agency and the Secretary General of FEDARENE. His extensive international expertise was prominently highlighted when he was chosen to serve as the Master of Ceremonies for the prestigious EU Covenant of Mayors event at the European Parliament, cementing his reputation as a respected European leader in sustainability.

Matt Dicks
National Director
CIH Cymru

Matthew is a highly respected and influential leader in the housing sector, serving as the National Director for CIH (Chartered Institute of Housing) Cymru. Matthew is a passionate advocate for social justice, dedicated to ensuring that a good, safe, and affordable home is recognised as a fundamental human right for everyone.At the helm of CIH Cymru, Matthew plays a vital role in shaping housing policy and leading high-profile campaigns across Wales. Matthew works closely with government bodies, public services, and sector partners to champion sustainable housing solutions, address the housing emergency, and secure crucial investment for the frontline housing workforce. Known for an approach that breaks down complex legislative issues into clear, practical action, Matthew continues to empower housing professionals and elevate standards across the sector, ensuring that communities have the robust support needed to truly thrive.

Ifan Glyn
Cymru and UK Senior Hub Director
Federation of Master Builders

Ifan is an accomplished leader within the construction sector, serving as the Cymru and UK Senior Hub Director for the Federation of Master Builders. With extensive experience supporting small and medium-sized building companies, Ifan plays a central role in guiding regional growth, overseeing membership services, and providing essential assistance to builders across Wales and multiple UK regions.Throughout his career with the FMB, Ifan has been a vital voice for the industry, regularly engaging with government bodies and the public to advocate for the needs of local tradespeople. He is dedicated to championing high standards, improving access to training, and helping construction businesses navigate shifting regulatory and economic landscapes. Known for a supportive, collaborative approach, Ifan remains steadfastly committed to empowering independent builders, protecting consumer trust, and ensuring the construction industry continues to thrive as a cornerstone of the economy.

Samantha Howells
Head of Social Value
Codi Group

Samantha Howells is a dynamic housing and community development professional, serving as the Head of Social Value at Codi Group, where she plays a key role in integrating community wellbeing with environmental action, ensuring sustainable projects deliver practical, positive outcomes for local people and neighbourhoods. With a strong background in community regeneration, leading transformative initiatives including the launch of The Hive in Newport—a multi-purpose community space promoting wellbeing, strengthening community connections and supporting individuals and families facing a range of challenges in partnership with local organisations and services.Samantha is passionate about person-centred, collaborative approaches that empower communities and foster long-term independence. She works to maximise the social value delivered through contracts, creating opportunities for skills development, employment and community investment, including leading the development of the Green Careers Pathway, helping build a local talent pipeline for the future green economy. By connecting environmental action, social wellbeing and economic opportunity, Samantha ensures that Codi's strategies create lasting benefits for the diverse communities they serve.

Neil Morland
Founder and Managing Director
Morland & Co Housing Consultants

Neil is the founder and Managing Director of Neil Morland & Co Housing Consultants, a specialist management consultancy established in 2011 that improves public and social housing policy across England, Scotland, and Wales.

He has dedicated his career to the housing sector since 1998, developing deep expertise in public policymaking, housing needs, allocations legislation, and homelessness prevention.Morland’s extensive background spans leadership roles across national and local government, housing associations, and the voluntary sector.

He previously served as a Specialist Advisor on homelessness for the UK Government and as Head of Housing Allocation & Homelessness Services for Stoke-on-Trent City Council.

An accomplished author, he has penned prominent practice guides for the Local Government Association on homelessness strategies. Morland holds a Master’s degree in Public Administration from the University of Manchester and continues to advise organisations on creating equitable, progressive housing solutions.

Casey Edwards
Community-led Housing Programme Manager
Cwmpas

Casey leads the Communities Creating Homes programme. As Wales’ only community-led housing hub, Cwmpas has led the growth of the community-led housing movement in Wales since 2012 supporting people across Wales to come together to decide what kind of homes and communities they want to live in. Cwmpas work alongside community groups, Welsh Government, and key housing stakeholders to challenge structural barriers that exclude communities from decision‑making, and to embed community‑led approaches within policy, practice and public systems with a focus on tackling housing inequality and strengthening local democracy. Having worked in the community and third sector for over 10 years, and with an MSc in Sustainability, Planning and Environmental Policy, Casey is particularly interested in the role that community‑ownership can play in creating more equitable communities, rooted in the belief that homes are not commodities, but foundations of justice, dignity and community power.

Joy Kent
Consultant
Joy Unlimited

Joy has worked in the public and third sectors in Wales for over 25 years, firstly in policy and research roles and then in leadership. She set up her own consultancy, Joy Unlimited, 10 years ago. During this time Joy has led a number of projects mainly with housing and third sector organisations, supporting them in a range of ways including carrying out research, strengthening governance and strategy development, reviewing and developing operational services and leading internal and external stakeholder engagement. Outside work, Joy has held eight board positions and two chairs– firstly for Cynon Taf Community Housing Group and then for Ynni Teg - a renewable energy community benefit society. In 2016 she was awarded an Honorary Fellowship by Glyndwr University for her services in promoting the positive contribution of women to the Welsh economy.

Steve Pomeroy
Head of Fire Services
Welsh Government

Steve has been the Welsh Government’s Head of Fire Services since 2014. During that time, he has been responsible for all aspects of Welsh policy on fire safety and the fire and rescue service, including the response to the Grenfell Tower fire and the COVID-19 pandemic, and the growing risk of wildfire created by the climate emergency. He is also responsible for the fire safety provisions of the Building Safety (Wales) Act 2026 and implementing them in a way which is effective, practical and accessible for landlords, residents, the fire and rescue service and other partners.

Paul Slade
Fire Safety Officer
South Wales Fire and Rescue Service (SWFRS)

Elly Lock
Head of Policy & Research
Community Housing Cymru

Elly is Head of Policy and Research, responsible for joint management of the policy team alongside the Head of Policy and External Affairs. Her pronouns are she/her. She helps members to navigate changes to policy and legislation, find solutions to challenges blocking them, and avenues to catalyse their innovation. She oversees the research function, which ensures all policy work is underpinned by good evidence. She leads on issues relating to housing association finance, and oversees a range of policy areas including homelessness, building safety, leasehold, supported housing and health and housing. Elly has worked in policy for over a decade. Before joining CHC, Elly held various roles in the housing space, she has spent most of her career working in the civil service.

Julian Ransom
Director
iON Consultants

Julian is a prominent expert in social housing asset management and building compliance.

A chartered building surveyor for approximately 40 years, Julian has spent over 15 years specialising deeply in strategic asbestos compliance consultancy, helping public, private, and social housing portfolio managers navigate strict safety regimes and regulatory audits.Julian is heavily involved in driving collaboration across the housing sector. He is the longest-serving management committee member of the National Housing Maintenance Forum (NHMF) and represents the organisation on the Transforming Homes Project Steering Group, a low-carbon retrofitting initiative involving Cardiff University. Notably, he leads iON Consultants' strategic partnership with Community Housing Cymru, where he co-leads a specialised asset management community for all 30 Welsh housing associations. Throughout his career, which includes senior roles at Savills and Ridge, Julian has remained dedicated to independent compliance auditing, tenant engagement, and modernising asset management practices.

Serena Jones
Director of Operations
Beacon Cymru

Serena is an accomplished, value-driven housing professional who serves as Executive Director of Operations at Beacon. Driven by a deep commitment to social justice and tackling inequality, Serena plays a leading role in overseeing all resident facing operations for thousands of households, ensuring the delivery of high-quality services that put the needs and voices of residents first.Throughout an extensive career in the sector, Serena has developed deep expertise across general and specialist social housing, strategy, and governance. Serena champions relational, strengths-based approaches to community development and has been a vital contributor to sector-wide initiatives, including serving as vice chair of Community Housing Cymru's Housing and Welfare Strategic Delivery Group and the Ending Homelessness National Advisory Board. Dedicated to collaborative, person-centered solutions, Serena continually works to break down barriers, challenge conventional practices, and elevate standards across social housing, ensuring that safe, affordable homes remain a bedrock for fair and thriving communities.

Catherine Love
Chief Executive
Bron Afon Community Housing

Catherine is an accomplished and progressive leader, serving as the Chief Executive Officer at Bron Afon Community Housing. With more than two decades of specialised experience spanning senior leadership, customer service, corporate planning and marketing communications, Catherine brings a wealth of strategic knowledge to the sector. Since joining Bron Afon in 2019 as Director of Customer Experience, she demonstrates innovative leadership, stepping into the role of Executive Director of Operations and Deputy CEO before taking the helm as Chief Executive.Committed to driving positive organisational culture and building customer trust, Catherine is a collaborative leader and believes in building strong relationships with teams and partners to achieve successful outcomes. She recognises the importance of a safe, warm home as a vital environment for people’s health and to live their lives well. Her focus on providing high quality, sustainable homes is evidenced in her strategic approach to development and regeneration.Catherine is dedicated to ensuring that the voices of residents shape everyday decisions, making a tangible difference to people's lives and helping communities truly thrive. She is deeply passionate about putting people, emotional intelligence and innovation at the heart of service delivery.

David Leech
Deputy Chief Executive
Torfaen County Borough Council

Dave is a highly skilled and forward-thinking local government leader, serving as the Deputy Chief Executive and Strategic Director for Adults and Communities at Torfaen County Borough Council and Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council. David plays an integral role in reshaping public services, overseeing critical service areas that encompass adult social care, community renewal, digital transformation, and customer services.With a strong focus on public health and community-led development, David has been instrumental in spearheading the "Torfaen Deal"—a collaborative initiative designed to build shared responsibility between the council, local partners, and residents. David is deeply committed to tackling systemic health inequalities, driving evidence-based decision-making through projects like the Health Determinants Research Collaboration. By prioritising prevention, promoting inclusive leisure partnerships, and empowering community groups, David continually works to ensure that resources are targeted effectively, ultimately enabling the residents of Torfaen to lead healthier, more fulfilling, and independent lives.

Amy McNaughton
Public Health Consultant
Aneurin Bevan University Health Board

Amy is a Public Health Consultant within Aneurin Bevan University Health Board, where she focuses on improving community well-being and reducing health inequalities across Gwent. With a passion for improving population health and reducing inequalities, Amy works collaboratively with local partners to design and deliver evidence-based initiatives that empower individuals and foster healthier environments.Throughout her career, Amy has developed a reputation for her empathetic approach and strategic thinking, successfully leading projects that tackle pressing public health challenges. Whether working locally or nationally, Amy has embedded action to address the wider determinants of health into her practice ensuring sustainable approaches to health improvement are grounded in creating the conditions for communities to thrive. Outside of her core responsibilities, she is an advocate for developing the public health workforce and continuous professional development.

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