2025 Programme of Events
Check out some of the upcoming roundtables in H1 2025
January-July 2025 Programme
4th February 2025, 10:00 AM to 12:30 PM
It has been suggested that housing leaders are trapped in a dangerous blindspot: while the sector desperately needs transformation, many are too complacent or fearful to embrace disruption. This roundtable will challenge leaders to confront the uncomfortable truth that their reluctance to innovate is perpetuating stagnation. What is driving this resistance to change—fear of failure, a desire to maintain the status quo, or simply a lack of vision? It’s time for leaders to step out of their comfort zones, recognise the opportunities for radical change, and ask themselves: is this inaction complacency, or an unwillingness to face the uncomfortable truths that could ultimately transform the sector?
Speaker/s:
Stella Kanu, CEO, Shakespeare Globe
Kate Davies CBE FRICS, Managing Director, Buena Ltd
David Blower, Board Member & Chair of Audit & Risk Committee,
Citizen HA
Chair:
11th March 2025, 10:00 AM to 12:30 PM
Today’s housing leaders face a Rubik’s Cube of priorities, balancing compliance, resident satisfaction, and financial viability. This roundtable invites senior leaders to share actionable strategies for navigating conflicting goals while preserving a unified organisational vision. With an emphasis on resilience and adaptability, participants will gain tools for agile decision-making that support a cohesive organisational culture. Join us to connect with peers and leave with a toolkit of best practices, ready to apply strategies from leaders confronting similar complexities in housing.
Speaker/s:
Jane Porter, Chief Operating Officer, Southern Housing
Rachael Dennis, Chief Executive, Incommunities
David McQuade, Chief Executive, Flagship Group
Chair:
Paul Evans, Chief Executive, Mobysoft
8th April 2025, 10:00 AM to 12:30 PM
The global protests of 2020 following George Floyd’s death sparked essential conversations on diversity, equity, and inclusion. Many organisations, including in housing, vowed to diversify leadership and tackle systemic barriers. Yet, some Global Ethnic Majority (GEM) leaders have left their roles early, raising questions about systemic biases, tokenism, and workplace cultures. Are organisations creating environments where GEM leaders can truly thrive? These departures reveal a gap between diversity commitments and genuine inclusivity. This roundtable will explore the challenges GEM leaders face, examining cultural and structural barriers. Participants will discuss solutions to better support and empower GEM leadership.
Speaker/s:
Olu Olanrewaju, Director, Altair International
Tom Murtha, Ex CEO, Midland Heart (TBC)
Sandy Sohal, Trustee, Leadership 2025
Chair:
TBC
14th May 2025, 10:00 AM to 12:30 PM
Join Connex Leadership Networks for an exclusive roundtable with Kate Dodsworth, Chief of Regulatory Engagement at the Regulator of Social Housing. Over a year since the implementation of the consumer standards, this session offers a crucial opportunity to reflect on their impact, evaluate sector progress, and address ongoing challenges in compliance and adaptation. Kate will share insights into the Regulator’s evolving expectations and provide practical guidance to help landlords sustain improvements and align with consumer needs. Held under the Chatham House Rule, this trusted forum fosters open dialogue and collaboration, equipping housing leaders with the knowledge and strategies to navigate the regulatory landscape confidently.
Speaker/s:
Kate Dodsworth, Chief of Regulatory Engagement, Regulator of Social Housing
Chair:
Jonathan Hulley, Partner – Head of Housing, Birketts
3rd June 2025, 10:00 AM to 12:30 PM
As housing providers seek sustainable growth, identifying the optimal scale for operations becomes crucial. In this roundtable, we will examine the impact of organisational size on operational efficiency, community connection, and culture, providing insights into the trade-offs of different scaling approaches. Leaders will discuss scaling models that balance local impact with operational resilience and adaptability. Ideal for executives and growth strategists, this roundtable will help participants define the “sweet spot” for their organisations, taking away actionable insights to inform strategic planning.
Speaker/s:
Alison Muir, Non-Executive Director, Newlon Trust (TBC)
Mark Perry, Chief Executive, VIVID
Jamie Ratcliff, Chief Communities and Sustainability Officer, SNG
Chair:
Chris Colbert, Strategic Business Director, Mobysoft
11th June 2025, 10:00 AM to 12:30 PM
Wonder why issues explode seemingly out of nowhere? Because you’re not listening to your “canaries.” This workshop digs deep into why organisations fail to create spaces where staff feel safe to raise early warning signs. Here, you’ll learn how to spot those ‘canaries’ and empower them to speak up. Participants will leave with actionable techniques to build a truly open, safe culture—before organisational issues get out of control.
Speaker/s:
Lynn Stubbs, Chief People and Governance Officer, Amplius
Chair:
Dean Cordingley, Director, New Street Consulting Group
3rd July 2025, 10:00 AM to 12:30 PM
Speaker/s:
Chair:
TBC
Published on: 11th December 2023, 17:30
