National Housing Summit 2021

National 

Housing 

Summit 2021 

22-25 March 




22-25 March 

Reconnect. 

Reflect. 

Reimagine. 

Shaping the future of social housing. 

#NationalHousingSummit 

Sponsors:

How does 

the future 

of work 

look? 

Download our whitepaper 

Zurich Municipal is a trading name of Zurich Insurance plc, a public limited company incorporated in Ireland. Registration No.13460. Registered Office: 

Zurich House, Ballsbridge Park, Dublin 4, Ireland. UK Branch registered in England and Wales Registration No.BR7985. UK Branch Head Office: 

The Zurich Centre, 3000 Parkway, Whiteley, Fareham, Hampshire PO157JZ.

The last 12 months have 

been like no other. Our lives 

have been transformed by 

the coronavirus crisis as 

we’ve grappled with new 

challenges to ensure we 

can continue to support 

residents and communities. 

Other priorities have been 

thrown into even sharper focus 

– from building safety to our role 

in decarbonisation. It feels safe to say 

2021 is going to be another busy year. 

It’s never been more important for the sector to come together 

collectively in one shared space to digest, debate, and think about 

what social housing looks like in this new world. 

The National Housing Summit is the place to do just that. It is a 

space for senior leaders to debate the biggest challenges facing 

housing associations and shape the sector’s future. 

In March, we will host the first virtual National Housing Summit. 

Building on the success of our virtual events programme that we 

launched last year, it will have more high profile speakers than ever 

before, providing new and international perspectives and innovative 

case studies. 

We will also virtually recreate the interaction Summit delegates 

really value. Each day, you’ll have the opportunity to take part in 

interactive sessions and networking opportunities to reconnect with 

peers, share your ideas, and push one another to think differently 

about sector leadership. 

Now is the time for our sector to look ahead – and not just recover 

from the coronavirus crisis, but rebuild a better, fairer future. That 

will be the focus of Summit this year, and I hope you can join us. 

Kate 

Kate Henderson 

Chief Executive, National Housing Federation 

events@housing.org.uk | 020 7067 1066 

#NationalHousingSummit

Themes and challenges 

The Summit is housing’s premier event. Across four days, connect with 

fellow leaders to tackle the biggest challenges facing the sector. 

Economic recovery and 

boosting supply 

Delivering social and affordable 

housing is vital to supporting the 

UK’s social and economic recovery. 

Together, we’ll examine how housing 

associations can be a force for good 

in these turbulent times. 

The climate crisis and 

zero-carbon agenda 

Housing contributes 20% of the UK’s 

total carbon footprint. Explore the 

action housing associations must take 

now to tackle the climate crisis. 

Quality and safety 

It is crucial that people feel safe in 

their homes. Scrutinise the latest policy 

developments and assess how housing 

associations can take the lead in ensuring 

the highest standards of housing. 

Services and 

residents 

The coronavirus pandemic 

has highlighted and 

exacerbated the major social 

challenges our country faces. 

We’ll explore some of the 

lessons we can learn from 

the crisis and consider how 

we can use them to push 

for a fairer society through 

stronger, more accountable 

and open landlord-resident 

relationships. 

Equality and diversity 

The Black Lives Matter movement and the 

disproportionate impact of coronavirus on BAME 

communities has shone a light on the inequality facing 

many people in our society. Examine bold steps housing 

associations can take to eradicate discrimination and 

support diversity and inclusion across the sector. 

Get exclusive access to the library of 

Summit Shorts – bite-sized installments 

of crucial content on the big issues 

affecting the sector. So far renowned 

speakers, including Alistair Darling, 

have covered the climate crisis, the 

economy and economic recovery, 

and the disproportionate impact of 

coronavirus on minority communities. 

Book early to join us for the final 

Shorts on housing and communities 

with the Archbishop of Canterbury 

(21 January) and to take stock of the 

last 12 months and look forward with 

event chair Mark Easton, BBC Home 

Editor (23 February). 






22-25 March 




22-25 March 

Speakers 

We know that you expect the calibre of speakers at Summit to be second to none. This year, we’re going even further with experts 

from the worlds of housing, politics, economics and beyond, offering new ideas and international perspectives to challenge you to 

think big and drive change. 

Speaker highlights 

Siân Berry, 

Co-leader, The Green Party 

Richard Blakeway, 

Housing Ombudsman 

Thangam Debbonnaire, 

Shadow Housing Minister 

Steve Douglas, 

Chief Executive, St. Mungo’s 

Paul Johnson, 

Director, The Institute for Fiscal 

Studies 

Sir Bob Kerslake, 

Chair, Peabody 

Fiona MacGregor, Chief 

Executive, Regulator of Social 


Polly Neate, 

Chief Executive, Shelter 

Sarah Sands, 

Chair, Bright Blue 

Patrick Vernon, Associate Director 

for Connected Communities, 

Centre for Ageing Better 

Rosanna Vitiello, 

Urban Strategist and Co-founder, 

The Place Bureau 

Nick Walkley, 

Chief Executive, Homes England 



What to expect at the virtual Summit 

40+ 

sessions 

addressing the big issues 

facing the housing sector and 

the impact they have on your 

organisation. 

Connect 

and expand 

A variety 

of formats 

including animated interviews, 

contentious panel debates, 

creative case studies and 

interactive peer-to peer 

roundtables for you to have 

your say. 

120+ 

speakers 

including influential political 

figures, housing leaders and 

out-of-sector innovators ready 

to share their expertise. 

Opportunities to connect and expand your networks with 

fellow housing leaders virtually as well as socialising in smaller 

focussed groups. 

Exclusive 

access 

to the event content 

library, including experts 

interviews, industry 

reports and cutting-edge 

case studies. 

4 

days 

of networking and a flexible 

programme for you to dip 

in and out to suit you with 

all content available to 

watch back on demand. 

Take some 

time 

for a bit of fun with lighthearted 

sessions, from the 

return of the Summit Quiz to 

health and wellbeing to help 

you unwind and de-stress. 

“ Housing associations must 

constantly question how they 

balance their resources between 

services for existing residents 

and the provision of new supply. 

There is no magic algorithm, 

but the White Paper confirms 

that meaningful engagement, 

professional housing management 

and repairs operations, and 

excellent customer service are nonnegotiable. 

I am very much looking 

forward to frontline housing 

services being centre stage at the 

Summit.” 

Alison Inman, 

Colne Housing and Saffron Housing Trust 



Programme at a glance 

Day one: Monday 22 March 2021 

The economic outlook: from crisis to growth 

08:30 Virtual event platform opens 

Familiarise yourself with the platform, network with your peers in the chat rooms or tour the sponsors’ area. 

Book by Friday 26 

February to save 

£100 per person 

09:10 Chair’s opening remarks 

Mark Easton, Home Editor, BBC News 

09:20 Taking stock in an unstable economic climate 

Update on the economic environment, including the impact of Brexit and the coronavirus crisis. 

09:50 Driving economic recovery: housing’s vital role 

What part could (and should) housing associations play in bringing us out of recession? 

10:45 Update from the regulator 

Hear the latest on the implementation of changes to the consumer regulation framework and how it will support the vision of the Social Housing White Paper. 

11:45 Breakout sessions 

Increasing community investment during a national crisis to 

create lasting change 

How do we break the cycle of poverty and inequality, which the 

pandemic has highlighted and exacerbated? 

In search of 2020’s silver linings: how could residents benefit? 

What could the Social Housing White Paper, the new NHF Code of Governance, 

and the changes brought about by the coronavirus crisis mean for landlordresident 

relationships? 




12:25 Break and networking 

Video chat with fellow attendees, drop by the NHF stand, meet the sponsors or join a discussion group to unpick the issues of the day. 


Don’t just clap! Providing the right support to carers 

What policies should the sector be looking to implement to support 

staff and residents who are carers? 


Identifying and mitigating housing sector risks: what else should 

we be worried about? 

Assess the sector risk profile for 2021 and beyond. 

How a 10-year Affordable Homes Programme can help increase the supply 

of affordable housing 

Examine the impacts and benefits that guaranteed funding over a longer period 

could deliver. 

Working towards carbon neutrality targets 

Explore the challenges and opportunities of retrofit, new home design and 

addressing skills shortages. 

15:00 Rethinking the sector’s approach to racial equality 

Examine the disproportional impact of the coronavirus crisis on minority communities, the rise of the Black Lives Matter movement, and the work the sector 

needs to do to help eradicate discrimination and inequality. 

15:40 Chair’s closing remarks and end of day one 

“ Inspiring, thought-provoking and 

honest – a must-attend for anyone 

who cares about social housing.” 

Sanctuary Housing, National Housing Summit 2019 




Day two: Tuesday 23 March 2021 

Sector ambitions and government policy 



Book six 

places and 

save £500 

09:20 In conversation with Focus on the political environment – where does housing fit in the broader context? 

Assess the government’s housing strategy, from boosting supply to ensuring building safety. 

09:50 Levelling up? The new political reality and what that means for housing 

What does the ambition to ‘level up’ mean for the sector, and will it deliver fairer outcomes for communities across the country? 

10:45 Peer-to-peer roundtables Policy and regulation 

Reconnect with your peers in our interactive roundtables on policy and regulation to reflect on what we’ve learnt and reimagine the future of social housing. 


Embedding tackling homelessness into your business strategy 

How can you ensure that your approach to tackling homelessness 

and rough sleeping will result in long-term, effective change? 


Video chat with fellow attendees, drop by the NHF stand, meet the 

sponsors or join a discussion group to unpick the issues of the day. 

In conversation with the Housing Ombudsman 

Understand the new complaint handling code and the changes the Social 

Housing White Paper will bring. 

A better normal 

Explore how organisations can become more agile, more responsive and more 

credible by changing the way they work and deliver. 





Health and housing: making integration a reality 

Lessons learnt during the coronavirus crisis: what can we do to better 

support people in the future? 

Planning reform and what it means for affordable housing 

What impact will the proposals have on the ability to deliver homes of the 

right tenure? 


Working together with local authorities 

to deliver more affordable housing 

Explore best practice for partnership 

working with local stakeholders. 

Investing in homes and services to support 

people with learning disabilities 

How can we improve our housing and services for 

people with learning disabilities? 

Beyond the minimum wage to dignity and 

respect 

Delivering a new settlement for low-paid workers to 

ensure improvement towards better-quality work. 

15:00 Homelessness and rough sleeping: learning lessons from 2020 

Examine the scale of homelessness, what we’ve learned during the coronavirus crisis, and how we can use those lessons to build momentum to end rough 

sleeping. 

15:40 Chair’s closing remarks and end of day two 

17:00- NHF Charity Quiz 2021 - pit your brains against housing’s best! 

18:15 Join housing legends, Alison Inman and Jon Lord, as they host the NHF’s infamous virtual pub quiz. Enter as a team or as an individual and join us for the 

ultimate lockdown quiz. Together, we’ll raise money for charity, learn about the relative merits of Bolton and Leigh and crown the smartest folk in housing. 

All you’ll need are your wits, a forgiving sense of humour and a drink of your choice! 

“Despite the uncertain times that we are currently experiencing, 

the event provided the clarity that we need to be true to our 

social purpose and talk as a sector with one voice.” 

Worthing Homes, National Housing Summit 2019 




Day three: Wednesday 24 March 2021 

Rebuilding community resilience 



09:20 In conversation with Facing up to the reality of social inequality in our society 

Explore how we can tackle the causes and impact of poverty in our communities and examine our role in influencing political change to support vulnerable 

communities. 

09:50 Rising poverty and its impact on how the sector operates 

How can housing associations most effectively support their communities at a time when resources are stretched? 

10:45 Peer to peer roundtables Tackling poverty and social inequality 

Reconnect with your peers in our interactive roundtables on tackling poverty and social inequality to reflect on what we’ve learnt and reimagine the future 

of social housing. 


Putting Together with Tenants into action 

 

Positive resident engagement, reinventing customer scrutiny and 

rolling out change in governance and service. 

Striving for excellence: developing and assessing professionalism 

in housing 

Ensure you’re equipped to manage the increased spotlight on knowledge, 

competency and judgement. 







Devolution and housing: lessons from the last 12 months 

How have the events of 2020 strengthened the case for greater local 

control of housing strategy? 


Greater Manchester’s approach to reducing barriers and 

promoting equality 

Identify local improvements that housing associations can make to 

their services to help address structural inequality. 

Influencing up to secure investment in frontline services 

How to use the right data and work closely with residents to shape service offers. 

Gold, silver, bronze – Accord’s approach to emergency preparedness 

How to ensure coordination and effectiveness in your emergency response 

procedures. 

15:00 Speech from the Opposition 

Hear from the Shadow Housing Minister about Labour’s proposals for UK housing policy. 

15:40 Chair’s closing remarks and end of day three 

“The Summit 

remains THE 

housing event 

to attend.” 

ForViva, National Housing Summit 2019 




Day four: Thursday 25 March 2021 

A vision for the next decade 

09:10 Chair opening remarks 


09:20 In conversation with The climate crisis and the role of housing 

Examine how housing associations can lead climate action and decarbonisation. 

09:50 Climate change: our ambition as we move toward a net zero future 

Assess steps you can take now and explore what else needs to change to support the sector on its journey to delivering sustainable housing. 

10:45 Peer-to-peer roundtables Climate change and sustainability 

Reconnect with your peers in our interactive roundtables on climate change and sustainability to reflect on what we’ve learnt and reimagine the future of 

social housing. 


Reimagining leadership in disruptive times 

Why diversity makes good business sense and how to empower and 

give opportunity to colleagues. 

Future homes and urban planning: where are we heading? 

How will mass home working and other demographic changes influence the way 

we design and build our homes, cities and communities? 







Fostering inclusivity and opportunity in the workplace 

Removing the barriers to greater diversity in senior positions and 

enabling more opportunity for development. 


Embracing the UN climate change goals – the Rooftop Living 

Homes Standard 

Designing a specification for all new homes to deliver on climate 

change priorities and how to put it into practice. 

Resident engagement and communication during the coronavirus crisis 

How have organisations adapted approaches in the face of lockdown and social 

distancing? Are these methods here to stay? 

Digital transformation: tackling the problems worth solving 

Transformation can’t be purchased – real world lessons for how you learn and 

earn change. 

15:00 In conversation with 2021 and beyond: building a better, fairer future 

Hear from the Kate Henderson as we round up the conference and focus on the sector’s priorities for the year ahead. 

15:30 Closing speech from Kate Henderson 

15:40 Chair’s closing remarks and end of the conference 



As an NHF member, you have access to special rates or services from our Preferred Suppliers 

– reputable partners who have expertise within the social housing space. We negotiate 

preferential terms and conditions with these partners to help you save money, so that you 

can use your resources as efficiently as possible to deliver on your social mission. 

Our Preferred Suppliers 

HouseMark 

HouseMark helps you benchmark 

your housing management and 

maintenance and track issues 

such as homelessness, anti-social 

behaviour and tenant involvement. 

Isio 

New but established. Isio’s twenty 

partners led the pioneering pensions 

practice at KPMG, from where they 

originate. Simplifying the language 

and work around pensions, Isio 

provide a tailored service for housing 

associations. 

My Home Contents Insurance 

My Home is an affordable and 

flexible scheme designed to protect 

your tenants against a whole range 

of risks and there’s no cost to you as 

a member. 

MRI Real State Software 

Our preferred housing management 

solutions provider, MRI (former 

Castleton), offers a range of services 

to support your business operations 

and digital initiatives, offering 10% 

discount for NHF members. 

PfH 

The PfH consultancy offer includes 

strategic sourcing, spend analytics, 

strategic reviews, procurement health 

checks, merger solutions, asset 

management supply chain reviews 

and outsourcing solutions. 

Phoenix Software 

Phoenix Software is the UK’s leading 

supplier of software, hardware, 

devices, IT solutions and Software 

Asset Management services to housing 

associations in the UK. They offer 

members up to 60% off selected 

products and services 

Property Booking 

Property Booking and the NHF work 

in partnership to boost awareness 

of shared ownership, as part of our 

national campaign. The platform 

helps members to showcase their 

shared ownership homes through their 

property portal. 

Vantage UAV 

Vantage UAV is a drone services and 

solution company that can support 

projects on asset management, 

building safety, development, and 

regeneration. Their drones obtain high 

quality images of buildings in a safer, 

faster and more accurate way so that 

you can make informed decisions. 

Find out more: 

housing.org.uk/suppliers

Meet the sponsors 

Connecting with key partners to explore services and solutions is essential to help your organisation deliver its mission and social purpose. We’ve left 

plenty of time in the programme for you to catch-up with the sponsors, find out more about their offer and download additional content. We’d like to 

thank all of the sponsors for their involvement and support with the Summit this year. 

Aico, an Ei Company, are the UK 

market leader in Fire and Carbon 

Monoxide protection, leading the 

way in home life safety by pioneering 

new technologies and offering high 

quality alarms. In 2020, Aico acquired 

HomeLINK, leader in IoT solutions, 

enabling a synergistic approach to IoT 

and the connected home. 

Contact: Alex Parker 

Email: alex.parker@aico.co.uk 

Call: 01691 664100 

Over the past 30 years, Anthony 

Collins Solicitors (ACS) has grown to 

be one of the top UK firms supporting 

Registered Providers (RPs). We have 

the largest social housing team in a 

law firm outside London, ranked Band 

1 in Chambers and Partners and Tier 1 

in Legal 500 for social housing. 

Contact: Natalie Singh or Jon Coane 

Email: natalie.singh@anthonycollins.com 

or jon.coane@anthonycollins.com 

Call: 0121 212 7457 | 0121 214 3542 

Devonshires is one of the UK’s leading 

providers of legal services to registered 

providers. Our experience ranges from 

advising executive boards to dealing 

with routine legal work assisting in 

the management and development of 

our clients’ property estates. We are 

recognised as leaders in the Housing 

sector in Legal directories. 

Contact: Devonshires 

Email: info@devonshires.co.uk 

Call: 020 7628 7576 

As an insurer of the public and 

voluntary sectors for over 25 years, 

we understand the importance of 

everything you do. Residents rely on 

the vital services housing associations 

provide. From remedial work to risk 

avoidance advice, our package is 

designed to help keep tenants safe 

and comfortable. 

Contact: Zurich Municipal 

Email: info@zurichmunicipal.com 

Call: 0800 335 500 

Sponsorship and exhibiting opportunities 

Sponsor or exhibit at the event to position your brand at the forefront of social housing. For more information please contact Julian Hurst at Foremarke 

Exhibitions on 020 8877 8899 or email housing@foremarke.uk.com 



The NHF’s Sector Suppliers are trusted companies that have been carefully curated and 

selected to provide expert advice and solutions for your organisation and its needs. 

Save time and money on research. 

Work with suppliers who understand your needs and have experience in working in the social housing sector. 

Our Sector Suppliers: 

AceOn 

AceOn are pioneering 

renewable energy and battery 

storage specialists, supporting 

organisations to meet Net Zero 

Carbon targets. Their products 

help reduce carbon, lower 

tenants’ electricity bills and 

provide an income stream for 

housing associations. 

Forbes Solicitors 

Forbes Solicitors are able 

to offer NHF members a 

complete housing service 

that incorporates frontline 

consultancy underpinned 

by litigation and wider legal 

reassurance. 

Match Options 

Match Options is an 

employment business and 

recruitment agency, with the 

experience and expertise to 

help you recruit health and 

social care staff. 

Mobysoft 

Mobysoft’s social housing 

intelligence software 

applications help landlords 

protect and maximise revenues, 

mitigate welfare reform and 

embed efficiencies. 

MyConcern 

MyConcern provides 

safeguarding software and 

services for housing providers 

and the third sector. Their trusted 

and secure safeguarding 

software supports you to protect 

your tenants, especially those 

at risk. 

Pennington Manches 

Cooper 

Penningtons Manches Cooper 

is recognised as a top class 

provider of legal advice to the 

social housing sector, with a 

wide-range of clients within the 

social housing sector. 

Resource Solutions 

Resource Solutions specialises 

in helping supported housing 

providers with service 

charges. Their aim is to help 

client organisations recover 

all necessary, eligible and 

reasonable accommodation 

service costs through their service 

charges. 

VAT Solutions 

VAT Solutions are indirect tax 

specialists working exclusively in 

the care and housing sector. We 

not only achieve considerable 

VAT benefits for our clients, but 

also seek to implement significant 

business efficiencies which 

spread well beyond VAT. 

Find out more: housing.org.uk/suppliers

How to book 

Early bird 

(until Friday 26 February) 

Member £495 £595 

Public sector/ 

not for profit £560 £660 

Private sector £735 £835 

Group offer – save up to £1,200 

Standard 

There are no hidden costs in our prices – you won’t pay VAT on Summit 2021 event tickets. 

Book by Friday 26 

February to save 

£100 per person 

• Book online 

• Complete the booking form and 

email it to events@housing.org.uk 

• Phone 020 7067 1066 

Book six places 

Book 12 places 

Early bird Standard Early bird Standard 

Member £2,970 £2,470 £3,570 £2,970 £5,940 £4,940 £7,140 £5,940 

Public sector/ 

not for profit £3,360 £2,860 £3,960 £3,360 £6,720 £5,720 £7,920 £6,720 

Private sector £4,410 £3,910 £5,010 £4,410 £8,820 £7,820 £10,020 £8,820 

Disclaimer 

This programme is correct at the time of going to press. In the event of one or more of the advertised speakers being unable to attend, for reasons beyond the control of the conference organisers, we reserve the 

right to make alterations or substitutions to the programme as deemed fit. All timings are provisional and may be subject to change. Views expressed by speakers are their own. The National Housing Federation 

disclaims any liability for advice given or views expressed by any speaker at the event or in notes or documentation provided for the delegates.

National Housing Summit 2021

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