AHN Dinner with Ian Workman, Chief Customer Officer at Homes England
With recent leadership changes at Homes England, we recognise that members will be particularly interested in the agency’s priorities for the coming years. We are therefore delighted to welcome Ian Workman, who leads Homes England’s Social Housing, Safety and Ownership Directorate, to our Affordable Housing Network members dinner.
CHAIR
Gemma Bell, Partner, Devonshires Solicitors
SPEAKERS
Ian Workman, Chief Customer Officer, Homes England
Awaab’s Law in Focus: Sector Response and Government Outlook
Awaab’s Law, introduced following the tragic death of Awaab Ishak, set a new legal framework requiring landlords to address reported damp and mould within strict timeframes. The legislation has been a catalyst for accountability and change across the housing sector, but questions remain about how effectively the first version has been implemented and what future iterations could entail.
SPEAKERS
Cathy Steeghs, Health, Safety & Repairs – Awaab’s Law, Social Housing Directorate, Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government | Anabelle Harraway, Policy Advisory, Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government | Megan Stuart, Policy Advisor – Health, Safety & Repairs – Awaab’s Law, Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
Financial Pressures: Making Hard Choices – How you Invest your Money
RPs are operating in a landscape where financial pressure is no longer a background constraint, but a defining factor shaping strategy, risk appetite, and long-term viability. Rising costs, evolving regulation, and significant statutory programmes, including building safety remediation, Awaab’s Law, EPC Band C, and the anticipated new Decent Homes Standard, are forcing leadership teams to make difficult, high-stakes decisions. In many cases, these decisions extend beyond cost control and into fundamental questions about portfolio composition, capital structure, and the role of external investment.
CHAIR
Ewan Wallace, Group General Counsel, Paradigm Housing Group
SPEAKERS
Cassie Berry, Associate Director – Governance, Risk, Regulation and Registrations – Affordable Housing Consultancy, Savills | Chris Newman, Director, Savills
Human, Skills & Agentic AI – The Rolls-Royce Story
In 2022, Rolls-Royce faced a critical juncture: multiple business units in the company were heading towards significant skills shortages in specific skillsets. To solve it, the organization didn’t just recruit; they fundamentally redesigned how work happens.
CHAIR
Misti Melville, NED/Chair Nominations & Remuneration Committee, Al Jammaz Group
SPEAKERS
Stuart Evans, Director – Future of Work & Digital Employee Experience, Rolls-Royce
The Digital Frontline: Designing Better Customer Journeys with AI
With rising expectations around service delivery and responsiveness, housing providers are increasingly exploring how AI and digital tools can support more effective customer engagement and operational performance. At the same time, organisations are seeking to better understand customer behaviour, particularly where individuals are reluctant to engage, and to ensure that vulnerability is identified and responded to appropriately.
CHAIR
Fiona Harris, CIO, Vivid Homes
SPEAKERS
Darren Carlile, Advisory board member and ex COO Lendable and Capital One
