Board Excellence in Housing 2021

26-27 January 2021
Sponsored by
#NHFBoards

WORKING WITH
HOUSING ASSOCIATIONS
RSM’s specialist social housing group comprises over
130 people, who work closely with a range of social
housing clients, including traditional housing associations,
large scale voluntary transfers (LSVTs) and arm’s length
management organisations (ALMOs).
We provide audit, tax and consulting services to over
150 registered providers, putting us in the top audit and
assurance providers across the UK. Over the years we have
developed a longstanding sector presence and established
strong relationships with the Regulator, NHF, Winmark
Affordable Housing, sector publications and press.
Experience the power of being understood
Experience RSM | rsmuk.com
The UK group of companies and LLPs trading as RSM is a member of the RSM network. RSM is the trading name used by the members of the RSM network. Each member of the RSM network is an independent accounting
and consulting firm each of which practises in its own right. The RSM network is not itself a separate legal entity of any description in any jurisdiction. The RSM network is administered by RSM International Limited, a
company registered in England and Wales (company number 4040598) whose registered office is at 50 Cannon Street, London EC4N 6JJ. The brand and trademark RSM and other intellectual property rights used by
members of the network are owned by RSM International Association, an association governed by article 60 et seq of the Civil Code of Switzerland whose seat is in Zug,
| 020 7067 1066

Strengthening leadership
to navigate change.
The coronavirus crisis has significantly impacted every
board in the social housing sector. Financial challenges,
resident engagement, governance and compliance, and
new ways of working – change is unavoidable.
Beyond the obvious short-term changes to accommodate new working
practices, there has been a clear shift in thinking and priorities that will have
a lasting impact on the way your board functions and organisation is governed.
This is the time for boards to transform, embrace change, listen to others, and
decide what to keep and what to lose.
Join your peers from across the sector at our virtual Board Excellence in
Housing event to unpick these issues and reconsider what the future of social
housing looks like.
What are we covering?
Lord Bob Kerslake, will be chairing Board Excellence
in January. He is Chair of Peabody and Be First,
the former Head of the Civil Service, and former
Chief Executive of both the Department for Communities
and Local Government and the Homes and
Communities Agency.
The new regulatory environment.
Challenging racism.
The climate crisis.
Political backdrop.
Governance of the future.
Levelling up the economy.
Health and housing.
Building safety.
Unlocking growth.
Workforce strategies.
| 020 7067 1066

What matters to you, matters to us
At Bevan Brittan we immerse ourselves in the challenges faced by the housing sector. Our highly-skilled
lawyers have built up exceptional knowledge and gained invaluable experience to deliver you with a confident,
rounded view on the issues of the day – whether advising on the NHF Code of Governance, ESG funding,
strategies to achieve decarbonisation targets, tenant safety or your duties as a responsible business.
On a foundation of partnership, market insight and commercial strength, we proactively and passionately
deliver legal and regulatory advice that generates outstanding results and truly delivers value for our clients.
Sarah
Greenhalgh
Partner
0370 194 5054 | 07500 005219
sarah.greenhalgh@bevanbrittan.com
Hugo
Stephens
Partner
0370 194 5475 | 07795 978081
hugo.stephens@bevanbrittan.com
Birmingham | Bristol | Leeds | London | Bevan Brittan LLP | @BevanBrittanLLP | www.bevanbrittan.com | 0370 194 1000

Who’s speaking?
At Board Excellence you’ll hear from over 60 expert
speakers from the world of housing and beyond.
Speakers this year include:
Terrie Alafat
Chair, Riverside
Gavin Barwell
Board Member,
Clarion Housing Group
Richard Blakeway
Housing Ombudsman,
Housing Ombudsman
Cecile Wright
Professor of Sociology
and Social Policy,
University of Nottingham
Sorcha Edwards
Secretary General,
Housing Europe
Althea Efunshile
Chair, Metropolitan
Thames Valley
Chris Grant
Board Member,
Sport England
Wim Hazeu
Chief Executive, Wonen
Limburg and Chair, Energy
Committee of Housing Europe
Kwasi Kwarteng
Minister of State,
Department for Business,
Energy & Industrial Strategy
Fiona MacGregor
Chief Executive,
Regulator of Social Housing
Danielle Oum
Chair, whg and Chair,
Birmingham and Solihull Mental
Health NHS Foundation Trust
Sarah Sands
Chair, Bright Blue
Will Tanner
Director, Onward
Nick Walkley
Chief Executive,
Homes England
How does
a virtual
event work?
We’ve been running #NHFVirtual events
since April and they’re just like the
NHF conferences you know and value.
There will be live speakers, rooms for
interactive debate and coffee breaks
to catch up with colleagues – but
streamed live to your browser.
You can feel part of the buzz of a live
event by posing questions to speakers
and joining roundtable discussions, but
you can also take a break from your
screen and dip in and out when it suits
you. All of the content will be available
for you to watch back for three months
after the event.
Boards academy
If you’re new to the housing sector or just
starting your career as a board member, we’ll
provide you with everything you need to know
to excel on a housing association board.
At Housing Governance 2020,
Cadwyn Housing said:
I could not fault this
conference, in fact I think
it was better than when
I attended in person.
I loved the mix of live and
pre-recorded content.
Best conference I’ve
attended in a long while!”
| 020 7067 1066

Programme at a glance: Day one
08:30 Boards academy (optional)
The social housing ecosystem. An overview of what housing associations offer. Working with the regulator.
09:40 Levelling up the economy
Examining recent developments in the UK economy and the government’s plans for recovery.
10:30 Challenging racism and the role of the board in eradicating it
Addressing racism and the disproportionate impact of coronavirus on minority communities.
11:50 Economic wellbeing: getting communities
back on their feet
The state of the sector and the important
role that of social landlords can play in
economic and social recovery.
A transformational opportunity: is the
board ready for change? (Roundtables)
How has the role of the board and its
composition evolved in this changing
environment?
Health and housing: a joined-up approach
Examining innovative approaches
to integrate housing and health.
12:30 Networking lunch break
13:30 Driving culture change to make
buildings safe
Rebuilding technical trust in your supply
chain and examining the role of an effective
board in gaining assurance.
Homelessness: we can’t afford to
lose momentum
Ensuring a sustainable end to homelessness
and learning from the reactive strategy put
in place during the pandemic.
The new normal: workforce strategies
Bridging the gap between responding to the
crisis and preparing to thrive in a new normal.
14:40 The new regulatory environment
Continuing to innovate as regulation and policy changes including initial reactions to the Social Housing White Paper.
15:30 Unlocking growth: developing an effective roadmap to recovery
Managing the economic impact of coronavirus on supply.
| 020 7067 1066

Programme at a glance: Day two
08:30 Boards academy (optional)
What is board excellence? How do you assess how well you are doing?
09:20 Political backdrop: a vision for social housing
Examining how the sector can prepare for changes that will come as part of the national recovery plan.
10:10 Climate change: the pursuit of sustainability
A roadmap towards net zero: from funding to behaviours and willingness to adapt.
11:20 Governance: time to adopt the 2020 code?
Analysing the new NHF Code of Governance.
12:10 What does governance of the future
look like?
What makes for good governance in a rapidly
changing world?
12:30 Networking lunch break
13:50 The journey to net zero
From policies (including Environmental,
Social, and Corporate Governance, fuel
poverty targets, Future Housing Standards)
to risks and implementation.
The financial inequalities of coronavirus:
crisis within the crisis
The role of the sector in helping the most
vulnerable.
Together with Tenants –
join the national rollout
Hear the latest on Together with Tenants –
the plan to strengthen relationships between
residents and housing associations.
The end of Section 106: what could it mean?
Exploring the impact of replacing Section 106
with an Infrastructure Levy as proposed in the
Planning White Paper.
What does the future of supported
housing look like?
Shaping the future of care and support for
the years to come.
14:40 At the forefront of change
Chris Grant from Sport England will give an inspiring talk about the reactive world we are now living in and examine the role of the board in
surviving in the short term and thriving long term.
15:05 The crisis that brought meaning to purpose
Reaffirming your board’s strategic role in steering your organisation forward into a ‘new normal’.
| 020 7067 1066

“They have a
strong and sound
knowledge of the
housing sector”
The Legal 500 2021
Clarke Willmott is a leading law firm that takes pride in being different. Our strong reputation is
built on genuine client relationships and our exceptional people – each chosen for their industry
knowledge and passion for their field, as well as their first-class legal credentials.
Our national social housing team is one of the largest in the UK and is a leading provider of
comprehensive legal services to the sector. We work with both national and regional registered providers
and are known for our high-quality commercial advice and seamless service.
We are recognised for our sector expertise by the legal directories, Chambers and The Legal 500, and pride
ourselves on our ability to provide innovative solutions and high levels of service to our clients.
For more information, click here or contact Vicky Kells, Partner & Social Housing Co-Lead.
Great service... Great people...
clarkewillmott.com
Clarke Willmott LLP is a limited liability partnership registered in England and Wales with registration number OC344818. Authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA number 510689).
| 020 7067 1066

Meet your sponsor
An essential part of conference attendance is the opportunity to
connect with key partners to explore services and solutions to help
your organisation deliver its mission and social purpose.
We’ve left plenty of time in the programme for you to explore the virtual
exhibition, catch-up with leading suppliers, download additional content
and find out more about their offer.
Pop by when it suits you or contact RSM
directly to book an appointment.
Code of
Governance
2020
Sponsorship
and exhibiting
opportunities
RSM’s specialist social housing group provide audit,
tax and consulting services to over 150 registered
providers, putting us amongst the top audit providers
in the UK. Over the years we have developed a
longstanding sector presence and established strong
relationships with the Regulator, NHF, Winmark
Affordable Housing, sector publications and press.
Contact
Matthew Humphrey
07711 960728
Sponsor or exhibit at the event to position
your brand at the forefront of social housing.
For more information please contact Julian Hurst
or Ryan Coleman at Foremarke Exhibitions.
Julian Hurst
020 8877 8898
Ryan Coleman
020 8877 8897
The 2020 Code of Governance reflects the
latest thinking about good governance
together with the key issues and challenges
facing the sector today. Since the previous
edition was published in 2015, the operating
environment for housing associations has
changed hugely – we’ve completely rewritten
the code to reflect this.
| 020 7067 1066

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
Castleton Technology
Our preferred housing management
solutions provider offers a range
of services to support the smooth
running of your business operations
and digital initiatives, offering 10%
discount for NHF members.
HouseMark
HouseMark helps you benchmark
your housing management and
maintenance and track issues
such as homelessness, anti-social
behaviour and tenant involvement.
Guardian Jobs
Guardian Jobs helps housing
associations attract and recruit
the best candidates. NHF members
benefit from exclusive discounted
recruitment advertising offers.
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.
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.
Find out more:
housing.org.uk/suppliers
| 020 7067 1066

How to book
Conference prices
Early bird (until Friday 18 December)
Standard
Member £445 £520
Public sector/not for profit £500 £575
Private sector £610 £685
There are no hidden costs in our prices – you won’t pay VAT on Board Excellence 2021 event tickets.
Bring your board
Book your place
This year, we’re offering a group package so you can register up to
10 people and attend with the rest of your board.
Member £1,335
Public sector/not for profit £1,500
Private sector £1,830
Phone
020 7067 1066
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.
| 020 7067 1066

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.
Clarke Willmott
Clarke Willmott is a leading law
firm with a strong reputation
for their exceptional knowledge
and expertise in the social
housing sector. Their national
social housing team is a leading
provider of comprehensive legal
services to the sector.
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.
InsuBiz
InsuBiz offers housing
associations a digital solution
for insurance handling so that
your team can work smarter
whilst maintaining its focus on
important tasks.
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.
Find out more: housing.org.uk/suppliers
| 020 7067 1066