Registration is now closed.
Join us for the PlaceShapers Annual Conference 2024: Place-Shaping, what now and where next?
A new government, with a commitment to social housing and devolution, may provide real opportunities to achieve our vision of putting place-shaping at the heart of decision-making. But the challenges we face will not change overnight and we still need to deliver for our residents and communities.
This conference will be a unique opportunity to discuss what the future looks like for our place-shaping role, and what the sector is doing now to build resilient communities where people want to live.
Join us for our two-day virtual conference, FREE for colleagues of our members including chairs and chief executives.
You will come away with:
- Increased knowledge from influential speakers, sector leaders and housing association residents who share your ethos and ambition for your residents and communities.
- Actionable ideas to help you in your place-shaping role.
- Inspiration on what good looks like and the chance to share your perspective.
- Insight and learning from the shared challenges across our membership.
The conference is online, FREE to attend, and open to all colleagues across our membership. You don't need to attend every session, simply pick and mix what is relevant to you and works with your diary. We don’t want you to miss out, so please register below and get the dates in your diary.
Please note places are only available to PlaceShapers member organisations and their representatives.
Putting place-shaping at the heart of decision-making.
9.45am-9.50am:
Welcome
Matthew Walker, Chair, PlaceShapers and CEO, Leeds Federated.
9.50am-11am:
Opening remarks - reflections from a housing association resident
Jane Ryland, Non-Executive Director and resident, Origin Housing.
Does the new political environment support our place-shaping ambitions?
- Does the government’s focus and emerging agenda support our place-shaping ambitions?
- Does the new government value our place-shaping work? If not, how can we change this?
- How can the government better support our place-shaping role?
Featuring:
Matthew Walker, Chair, PlaceShapers and CEO of Leeds Federated.
Kate Wareing, Board Member, PlaceShapers and CEO of soha.
Alan Boddy, CEO, Livin'.
Andrew Van Doorn, CEO, HACT.
11.30am-12.30pm:
How can we realise the opportunities of a place-based approach to housing?
- What are the potential advantages of a place-based approach to housing?
- What can we learn from combined authorities and how could a more place-based approach work in other areas?
- What can housing associations do to prepare for a more place-based approach to housing?
Featuring:
Victor da Cunha, CEO, Curo.
Nick Atkin, CEO, Yorkshire Housing.
Councillor Ahsan Khan, Deputy Leader and Housing and Regeneration, Waltham Forest.
Chaired by Catherine Ryder, CEO, PlaceShapers.
12.45pm-1.30pm: Networking
What can we learn from fellow communicators to support our organisation’s place-shaping ambitions?
This session is a networking lunch which will have particular value for communications teams. It will look at residents as our most important stakeholders. It will explore how we build and maintain trust - and its value when it's tested.
Featuring:
Danielle Sharp, Director of Communications & External Affairs, Plus Dane.
Simeon Shtebunaev, Senior Researcher, Social Life.
Facilitated by Joanna Charlton, Communications Lead, PlaceShapers.
2pm-3pm:
Are we doing all we can to build trust and accountability with residents and communities?
- What does genuine accountability to residents and communities look like?
- What happens when trust breaks down and how can we rebuild it?
Featuring:
Denise Fowler, CEO, Phoenix Community Housing.
Daniel Massey, Development Project Manager, Leeds Federated.
Carmen Simpson, Former Chair, Phoenix Community Housing.
Chaired by Matt Sugden, CEO, Railway Housing Association.
3.30pm-4.15pm:
In conversation with the Regulator
- What do the early lessons from Consumer Regulation and the Tenant Satisfaction Measures tell us about the sector’s relationships with its residents and communities?
- What are the lessons and risks that are emerging from the recent rounds of Economic Regulation?
Featuring:
Kate Dodsworth, Chief of Regulatory Engagement, Regulator of Social Housing.
Catherine Ryder, CEO, PlaceShapers.
4.30pm-5.30pm: Roundtable
How can chairs keep a focus on place-shaping when the going gets tough?
- How do boards decide between investing in new homes and existing homes and communities?
- Can we stretch our limited capacity to do more for our communities?
Featuring:
Michele Scattergood, Chair, WHA.
Harry Partington, Chair, Brighter Places.
Maureen Adams, Chair, ccha.
Chaired by Peter Hubbard, Managing Partner, Anthony Collins Solicitors.
Learning from place-shaping in action.
9.15am- 10.15am:
How can we rebuild places so they better meet the needs of our communities?
- Where do you start when considering how to transform a place to somewhere people want to live?
- How can we work in partnership to regenerate our existing homes and communities when funding is in short supply?
- How can we ensure that regeneration is supported by local communities and benefits them in the long-term?
Featuring:
Alison Bennett, Executive Director - Homes, Raven.
Shahi Islam, Director of Affordable Housing, Homes England.
Michelle Bell, Assistant Director - Byker Community, Karbon.
Chaired by Carol Carter, CEO, Origin.
10.45am-11.45am:
How can we build homes that meet the breadth of need across our communities?
- How can we support local authorities with escalating demand for social housing?
- How can we build homes for rough sleepers and those who have a particular need, including gypsy and traveller communities?
- How can we be part of the solution to the temporary accommodation crisis?
Featuring:
Donna Cezair, CEO, Worthing Homes.
Paul Smith, CEO, Elim.
Kevin Rodgers, CEO, Citizen.
Chaired by David Cummins, CEO, Warrington Housing Association.
12.30pm-1.30pm:
How can we contribute to the environmental wellbeing of our places and communities?
- How are housing associations working with local authorities to address environment challenges?
- What role can MMC play in the sector being more environmentally friendly?
- What is our role in promoting biodiversity and improving green space?
Featuring:
Paul Read, Director of Sustainability and Investment, Magna Housing.
Anna Bishop, CEO, South Liverpool Homes.
Chaired by Gayle Monk, Legal Director, Anthony Collins Solicitors.
2pm-3pm:
How can we support healthy, connected and resilient communities?
- How can we provide activities and space for residents to be part of the community?
- How can we work with the voluntary sector and health bodies to improve access to health services and address health inequalities?
- How can we support residents to take the lead in building community resilience?
Featuring:
Steve Hepworth, CEO, Ongo.
Mark Pearson, Managing Director, 54 North.
Steve Southwell, Chair, Residents Voice, Worthing Homes.
Chaired by Jo Savage, CEO, Greatwell Homes
3.30pm-4.30pm:
How can we improve the economic opportunities for our communities?
- How can we work with our residents to help ease entrenched poverty in our communities?
- How can our employment and training programmes make a difference to the opportunities for residents and communities?
- How can we work with our partners to improve economic opportunities for our residents and communities?
Featuring:
Cedric Boston, CEO, Unity.
Charlie Norman, CEO, MSV.
Lynsey Sweeney, Managing Director, Communities that Work.
Chaired by Claire Higgins, Vice-chair, PlaceShapers, and CEO, Cross Keys Homes.
4.30pm-4.45pm:
Reflections and close
- What does what we’ve heard over the last two days mean for our place-shaping ambitions?
- What will PlaceShapers be doing over the coming months that will ensure we make the most of the opportunities we’ve heard about over the conference?
Matthew Walker, Chair, PlaceShapers and CEO, Leeds Federated.
Catherine Ryder, CEO, PlaceShapers.
Registration is now closed.
* Virtually hosted on Zoom
Please note places are only available to PlaceShapers member organisations and their representatives.