Roundtable 1: Strength in numbers – hosted by Mandeep Bhogil, Director of Operations, Tower Hamlets Community Housing
Housing associations face increasing pressure to deliver more with limited resources, prompting a trend towards strategic mergers. This table will explore the benefits and challenges of consolidation, including enhanced financial capacity, improved service delivery, and increased development potential. Participants will discuss how mergers can address funding constraints, regulatory demands, and the need for operational efficiency, while also considering the potential impact on local communities and organisational culture.
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Roundtable 2: Taking care of self – hosted by Tanya Scott, Head of Specialist Housing, Accent Group
As mental health concerns continue to rise among social housing tenants, providers face a critical challenge: supporting residents’ wellbeing while also taking care of themselves. This table will explore the vital importance of taking care of your mental health, sharing best practices for staff training, and creating harmony inside and outside the workplace.
Roundtable 3: Today’s talent troubles – hosted by Annalisa Langton, Head of Engagement and Diversity, The Guinness Partnership
Social housing providers face a recruitment and retention crisis, with talent scarcity, pay disputes and competition from the private sector creating significant challenges. This table will explore the complexities of attracting, retaining, and supporting talent in an environment constrained by budget limitations, outdated recruitment processes, and high turnover rates.
Roundtable 4: The cost of living crisis
As financial pressures mount on residents, housing providers face a dual challenge: addressing the immediate needs of their tenants while navigating rising operational costs. This table will explore the opportunities and challenges that the current economic landscape presents for housing associations and the innovative strategies used to balance service delivery with financial sustainability.
Roundtable 5: Nurturing public-private partnership – hosted by Ben Earl, Head of Sustainability, Abri
Sustainability has long been a topic of discussion, but the urgent need for action is clear. This table explores practical approaches to transform sustainability plans into tangible outcomes. We’ll examine real-world examples of housing associations and local authorities successfully implementing green initiatives, from energy-efficient retrofits to community-based recycling programs. Participants will discuss strategies for overcoming common barriers to implementation, including funding challenges, stakeholder buy-in, and measuring impact.
Roundtable 6: Raising funding with local government – hosted by James Stevens, Director of Cities, House Builders Federation
This table discusses strategies to bridge the gap between settlements and service costs. Explore how housing providers can leverage scalable financial models and practical solutions to align funding with sector needs, ensuring sustainable development that benefits residents, local authorities, and housing providers alike.
Roundtable 7: Practical AI – real-life use cases – Wes Baker, Director of Strategic Analytics, Economics and Population Health Management, Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust
AI is emerging as a powerful tool to enhance efficiency and service delivery. This table explores practical AI applications already making an impact, from predictive maintenance systems that reduce repair costs to AI-driven chatbots improving tenant communication and the challenges of AI adoption, including data privacy concerns and the need for staff upskilling.