The Housing Forum National Conference 2026: Fixing the Housing Ecosystem - Solutions in Action

Join us for The Housing Forum National Conference 2026: Fixing the Housing Ecosystem - Solutions in Action. 2026 has been a year of significant change for both the housing sector and The Housing Forum. As new policies, investment opportunities, technologies and delivery models reshape the landscape, the need for collaboration across the entire housing ecosystem has never been greater. Join leaders from the public, private and not-for-profit sectors for a day focused on practical solutions to some of housing's most persistent challenges. Through expert insight, fresh perspectives, new research and real-world case studies, we will explore innovation in action, identify opportunities for greater impact and create the connections needed to deliver better housing outcomes. As before, all THF members will benefit from two complimentary places, apart from Local Authority members who are permitted to one complimentary place each. Programme overview: 08:45 - Registration, breakfast and networking 09:30 - Welcome and Introduction Alex Notay, Chief Executive, The Housing Forum 09:40 - UK Market Update Lucian Cook, Head of UK Residential Research, Savills One of the UK's leading housing market experts, Lucian Cook is widely recognised for his analysis of residential market trends, policy impacts and housing delivery. In this keynote market update, he will provide an incisive overview of the economic, political and investment forces shaping the housing sector in 2026, offering delegates essential insights into the opportunities and challenges facing the housing ecosystem. 10:00 - International Keynote followed by Q&A Harold Spies, CEO and Founder, Similan Group, South Africa The UK housing ecosystem is under intense pressure —from affordability and viability to climate stress and skills constraints. The challenges are clear but our sector can too often fall into a repetitive echo chamber when searching for solutions. To open this year’s Housing Forum National Conference we are taking a deliberately different approach. Harold Spies, CEO and Founder of Similan Group (South Africa), will bring a fresh perspective on driving innovation and delivering world-leading sustainable housing across tenures under real-world constraints; from political instability to drought and energy insecurity. Drawing on the globally recognized Newinbosch development - named Best Sustainable Development in the World at the 2026 International Property Awards - Harold will share practical insights on building urban resilience, energy security and sustainable communities, and what these best practice lessons could mean for the UK housing ecosystem. 10:40 - Plenary panel - Futureproofing the Sector - AI in the housing ecosystem 11:25 - Coffee break and networking 11:55 - Breakout sessions: • Bridging the Quality Gap • Research Launch - The Living Sector as a Devolutionary Engine presented by Close Brothers Property Finance, JLL and the Housing Forum 12:40 - Lunch and networking 13:40 - Breakout sessions: • The Role of Private Capital in Affordable Housing • Getting Through the Gateways: Making the Building Safety System Work 14:30 - Breakout sessions: • Research launch: Council Housebuilding and the Future of Local Government Housing Delivery • Resizing Rightsizing: presentation on Radix Big Tent Housing Commission research 15:20 - Speaking the Same Language, Futures Network Research Project Presentation Cohort 25-26 16:05 - Catalyst Awards presentation sponsored by Vistry Presented by immediate past Chair of The Housing Forum, Stephen Teagle, Vistry 16:20 - Conference summary and closing remarks Jamie Ratcliff, Chair of The Housing Forum 16:30 - Conference close