Autumn Leaders' Event
4 November 2025
We had a call to arms to continue our influencing role, gain political support and in a period of both certainty and uncertainty, to champion the cause of placeshaping.
It was standing room only on the train to Temple Meads such was the clamour to attend the PlaceShapers Leaders’ Event (or perhaps it was just half term day trips to Bristol!). Over coffee we caught up with each other and shared our travel experiences, the wonders, challenges and opportunities of using AI and the agenda for the day where we would look back, look ahead and have a virtual visit to Northern Ireland.
Matthew Walker, Chair of PlaceShapers opened the day and became our climate change expert throughout as he regularly commentated on the temperature controls in the room.
Catherine Ryder, Chief Executive of Placeshapers, undeterred by the climate controls, looked back on the spending review and our relationships with Government. We had a call to arms to continue our influencing role, gain political support and in a period of both certainty and uncertainty, to champion the cause of place-shaping. Emphasising place-shaping being for both regeneration and supported housing; while at the same time recognising the drive is to get more new homes.
We then looked ahead and Kate Smith, Chief Executive of Connexus spoke about the challenges facing rural communities in Shropshire and Herefordshire with the lack of availability of affordable homes, fuel poverty, life chances and the drift of people to urban areas. There is a real need for rural homes but the costs are higher and the economics make it less attractive.
Stephen Lodge, Chief Executive of Westward (pictured below), followed this theme and highlighted similar challenges being encountered in Devon and Cornwall. He drew out some data emerging from customer segmentation work that indicates an increasing number of people experiencing loneliness and isolation across the generations. In terms of place-shaping, we have a role to play in helping to sustain rural communities. And if not us, who will do it?
Carol McTaggart, Chief Executive of Clanmil Housing Group (Northern Ireland) joined us in the afternoon with a thought provoking and uplifting session on tackling the breakdown of social cohesion and supporting the restoration of community and place. Using real life examples of how they tackled intimidation, the gang culture and working with agencies, Carol gave us hope and demonstrated the impact of partnership working in the face of adversity. By standing firm and shoulder-to-shoulder great things can happen.
It was a great day and for me in particular a time for personal reflection given recent chats and sharing experiences with people from rural communities who face challenges accessing health services that I take for granted. Carol’s presentation also prompted further reflection, combined with my lived experience of growing up in Northern Ireland.
What gives me hope is the fact that we can provide and create opportunities to solve these challenges when we work together.
I'd highly recommend PlaceShapers Leaders' Events as a unique space for chairs and chief executives to get together, build new networks and alliances, and to share solutions and opportunities on place-shaping. The next one will take place in London, Wednesday 4 February, find out more and register here.