A chapter closes but the PlaceShapers story continues
6 January 2026
This chapter may be ending, but my connection to PlaceShapers certainly isn’t.
As 2026 begins, I find myself feeling honoured but a little wistful as I step into a new PlaceShaping chapter. After nine years on the PlaceShapers board — including six as vice chair — I’m moving on from my board role. But my PlaceShapers journey will continue as chief executive of one of our members, Cross Keys Homes.
I have truly relished my time on the board and am only sorry it reached full-term. I fondly look back on how many of you I have worked with, what I have learned and the difference PlaceShapers makes.
A lot has changed over those years. The housing environment, successive governments (too many housing ministers to mention although thankfully some stability now!) and varying support for social housing.
PlaceShapers has remained a much needed constant: organisations committed to place, in it for the long-term, and keen to share, learn and support one another.
What has evolved is PlaceShapers’ role within the sector. Today, it is the place that supports, champions and enables the place-shaping work of the housing arena and where organisations come to share their experiences and learn about place-shaping. Collectively we have championed and campaigned for regeneration as part of the government’s focus on building 1.5m homes. I leave knowing that regeneration now features strongly in government planning and shared the delight of all members in seeing the new flexibility around regeneration in the 2026/36 Social and Affordable Housing Programme.
Here are five things I will be taking with me and would like to leave with you:
1. PlaceShapers’ core values endure
Despite major changes in the housing landscape and the increasing challenges we face, our members’ commitment to their communities and their long-term approach to place remain and have deepened. Working in collaboration with residents, and in partnership with local authorities, delivers stronger, more resilient communities. This feels like it matters more than ever.
2. The “PlaceShapers spirit” is a real strength
A culture of openness, generosity and trust allows members to share knowledge and grow together. Just seeing the numbers involved in activities like our Year of Learning or annual conference reflects that spirit. I am very proud of how input from residents shapes our place-shaping programme of work and I encourage everyone to be even more involved in 2026. The results speak for themselves!
3. Advocacy is strengthened by collaboration
Part of our role is to demonstrate the impact of place-shaping to policy makers, politicians and stakeholders. We also show how, with the right support, members stand ready to do more. I am immensely proud that when we take stakeholders to see what members do locally – such as Climate Minister Katie White and the former Chief Secretary to the Treasury Darren Jones – they leave as enthusiasts and advocates. PlaceShapers will and should rightly remain a trusted voice — bringing place-based experience into national conversations and helping shape what comes next.
4. Diversity creates strength
From all over the country and ranging in size from small to large, the diversity of our membership enriches our work. It allows us to bring the broadest perspective to our conversations and reporting such as our new parliamentary publication: Realising the Potential of Housing Associations in Places and Communities. This diversity will be increasingly important as PlaceShapers continues to inform policy and demonstrate how place-shaping must respond to the different character, needs and ambitions of a place.
5. The future is place-focused
We see growing interest in place-shaping. I’ve of course been delighted to see five new members join us in the last year alone. But it’s about more than that. The range of organisations who see the value of a place-based approach to housing, and are working in partnership through increasingly devolved local government structures, is a good sign for how we deliver on the government’s £39bn investment in the Social and Affordable Homes Programme. The numbers matter — particularly when so many people remain on increasingly large waiting lists — but so does delivering the right homes in the right places.
Thank you to the many brilliant people I have worked with – many are now firm friends including my fellow board members who are all chief executives of member organisations. It has been lovely to work with David Cummins and Gary Fulford, chief executives of Warrington Housing Association and whg (Walsall Housing Group), who are also stepping down as board members at the end of their terms.
Congratulations to those newly appointed members and au revoir to those who remain on the board all steered by Matthew Walker, our modest and unassuming but skilled and hugely insightful Chair who leads PlaceShapers collaboratively and with integrity, conviction and quiet determination. You make a great team!
Finally, I cannot say farewell without acknowledging the fabulous PlaceShapers core team – Catherine, Charlotte and Joanna, they are the rock and heart that PlaceShapers is built on – passionate, committed and exceptionally hard working on behalf of PlaceShaper members. Their dedication, energy and sheer brain power make PlaceShapers what it is today and I am very honoured to have been able to work so closely with them all. They are the epitome of a team that is small but perfectly formed and with the impact of a group of people that is at least triple its size. Thank you team – Wednesday mornings won’t be the same again without our catch-ups with Matthew!
This chapter may be ending, but my connection to PlaceShapers certainly isn’t. I hope to see you soon, whether at an event, a webinar, or in a conversation about the places we all care about so deeply.
Lets all keep on doing what we do best – PlaceShaping!