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HOMES UK 2020 that’s a wrap

HOMES UK 2020 that’s a wrap
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Following an amazing week full of dedicated content for the housing sector, HOMES UK 2020 is now over and what a fantastic event it was! Whilst it is still fresh, we wanted to share our main highlights:

 

Monday began with an opening keynote on the current economic and political landscape where our panel of expert economists reflected on recent events and analysed their implications for the housing sector.

 

Kerry McHale, deputy director, affordable housing regulation and investment at MHCLG joined us to share insights, alongside Martin Hilditch, editor at Inside Housing to help us understand the background and the key components of the publication – a recording of the session can be viewed on demand on our virtual platform (along with all the sessions).

 

Our first day also coincided with the launch of the Home of 2030 winner announcements- congratulations to all the winners throughout the week – age ranges from 11-25 proving that the sector is in good shape if these finalists and overall winners’ submissions are anything to go by.

 

Monday also opened our huddles stage – alongside 38 keynote stage sessions 33 challenging and informative roundtable discussions took place during the week.

 

Dame Judith Hackitt and HSE chief executive, Sarah Albon kicked-off Tuesday with an impressive keynote on building safety reform and regulation- moderated by Aico partnerships manager, Tina Mistry, the discussion certainly caught our delegates attention and all agreed that a cultural shift across the sector needs to happen if we want to see long term overall safety results.

 

Later on the day, Lord Richard Best gave rise to a stirring panel on the Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act- definitely a newsworthy topic and our colleagues at Inside Housing agreed publishing the following article on the session!

 

The rest of Tuesday saw even more insightful conversations on the end of gas to an expert panel discussing how we can make wide-scale retrofit a reality And all the high level content you would expect in-between.

 

To finish off, MHCLG’s chief planner Joanna Averley joined our fantastic panel of planners to discuss how it is feasible for the sector to deliver better outcomes.

 

Wednesday saw our first keynote speaker Sir Jonathon Porritt delivering a speech on climate change – Sir Jonathon provided eye-opening stats on the climate emergency and outlined how the housing and construction sector are embarking on an ambitious role in lowering emissions and contributing to the 2050 net-zero target.

 

Following with an incredible session on raising standards in the design and build of new homes and communities, a discussion on MMC, and 6 roundtables, Wednesday was certainly not be missed.

 

“…to work better with people, communities and each other; and to prevent persistent problems such as poverty and health inequalities…It is a catalyst to make a long-lasting, positive change to current and future generations” stated the Welsh minister for housing and local government, Julie James during her speech on the Welsh Government’s 2020-2021 Optimised Retrofit Programme on Thursday. The speech was followed by an expert English, Scottish and Welsh right to reply panel, where different perspectives and approaches where given and responded to with intuitive questions and commentary from our audience.

 

Moreover, on the day we had Gillian Charlesworth, chief executive at BRE Group unveiling our Climate Champions Power List. The Power List celebrates those who are driving positive change in the sector and will help to inspire others to tackle climate change in their areas!

 

Thursday introduced the first of a new series of video interviews, where Inside Housing editor Martin Hilditch talked to Baroness Lawrence about her recent review into the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities – always inspiring!

 

The final day of the week continued Thursday’s trend and saw a purposeful and inspirational session on the impact on communities of COVID-19 and provided perspective on what can we do to make a real difference to the lives of society’s most vulnerable so they can fulfil their potential.

 

Finishing up the event, MOBIE, MHCLG, Homes England, Housing LIN and BRE group gathered together to conclude HOMES UK 2020 - Housing Minister Christopher Pincher announced the winner of the Home of 2030 professional design competition and a panel discussion followed to highlight the importance of good design, placemaking and sustainability in the homes of the future.

 

HOMES UK: the virtual event key stats

  • 31,000+ interactions through the platform
  • 8,500+ total messages exchanged through the platform
  • 5000+ attendees on the platform
  • 4500+ searches on the exhibitor directory
  • 200+ speakers
  • 70+ sessions
  • 10,000+ questions posted
  • 6000+ discussions
  • 75 exhibitors and sponsors

 

We want to thank all our incredible speakers, wonderful sponsors and fantastic attendees who joined us and made HOMES UK 2020 a superb and unmissable conference.

 

We are pleased to announce you will be able to watch all our keynote stage sessions on demand until the end of the year so make sure to go and see your favourite sector leaders discussing the most relevant industry topics.

 

To inspire you for next year, we would like to remind you that we are launching our Net Zero Housing Hub. The Hub is a collaborative initiative and an inclusive place for all those that believe homes of the future are needed today.

 

You can also plan your diary in advance with our 2021 events calendar.

 

We are very much looking forward to seeing you, either virtual or in person, soon!

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*HOMES UK and Unlock Net Zero Live is free to housing associations, local authorities, public sector, housebuilders, master developers, funders, architects, planners and BTR landlords, student accommodation, retirement living and extra-care providers. Fees will apply to other commercial organisations.

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