PlaceShapers Group Conference

The PlaceShapers Group held its third annual conference in London on 24th March 2010. Members were joined by senior colleagues from the TSA, HCA, CIH, NHF and Audit Commission for an "Open Space" event and expert panel discussion focussed on the theme "How can we all get the most out of PlaceShapers". This has helped to map out the group's agenda over the next year and give clear direction to the steering group. Key to this will be setting out the PlaceShapers "offer" to incoming politicians, building on the constructive relationships already established with key agencies and the NHF and developing mechanisms to support increased networking between PlaceShapers. The final session of the day took the form of a structured interview with Sir Bob Kerslake, Chief Executive of the HCA, whose insightful views on recent and future challenges were, as always, warmly welcomed.

This conference also marked the last formal activity for the PlaceShapers Group's founding Chair, Barbara Thorndick. Barbara has now retired from the steering group and Tony Stacey, the newly elected Chair, took the opportunity to pay tribute to the fantastic job that she has done on behalf of the group since its formation in early 2008. Under Barbara's leadership, the PlaceShapers Group has remained focussed on its core ethos and has succeeded in gaining the ear of influential figures in the housing world thus furthering its development and profile. The steering group now comprises five continuing members - Paul Doe, Grahame Hindes, Tony Stacey, Lindsey Williams and Karen Wilson. They are joined by four new members - Dr Chris Handy, Martin Holland, Martin Nurse and Adam Ronaldson. Further details of the PlaceShapers steering group can be found on the "contacts" page of this site.