Women at Housing 23

Women at Housing 23

Three days of inspiration and inclusion - Who do you send? Do you champion everyone in your organisation?

When I worked with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, as it was then, Steve Quartermain CBE really challenged me to think about who is in the audience, panels and speakers are easier to manipulate, after all. Since I have overseen Housing, from 2012, we have always had 50% female speakers. I cannot claim any plaudits for this – the sector has some amazing women. But, I would urge you to think about who you send to Housing – three days of inspiration and inclusion – and make sure you champion everyone in your organisation. In 2023 I am more excited than ever about some of the amazing women we have confirmed. Not withstanding Lisa Nandy, Fiona MacGregor, Polly Neate, Kate Dodsworth and Gaby Hinsliff – the team had to choose just one person they were personally excited to hear from. Here is who they picked…

Ruby Mercer, senior conference producer, is really excited to hear from Imandeep Kaur, co-founder and director of Civic Square. Immy is extremely passionate about building community - her work at Civic Square is focused on a bold approach to visioning, building and investing in civic infrastructure for neighbourhoods of the future. She is also an active member of Project 00, the Resourcing Racial Justice Coalition, and the National Lottery Community Fund Advisory Fund. Immy is a true inspiration and an advocate for systemic change!

Surika Biring, head of marketing is looking forward to hearing from Dr Lígia Teixeira, chief executive officer, Centre for Homelessness Impact as she is a keen advocate for ending homelessness and has volunteered with many charities over the years. Dr Lígia brings the ‘what works’ methodology to homelessness: the use of reliable evidence and reason to improve outcomes with existing resources. In 2019 she was conferred the Award of Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences (FAcSS) for her contribution to social science. In 2016 she was awarded a Clore Social Fellowship on Housing and Homelessness, funded by the Oak Foundation. She was previously at Crisis UK, where over a period of nine years she led the organisation's evidence and data programme - growing its scale and impact so that it's now one of the largest and most influential in the UK and internationally. She will be speaking on a session titled ‘Homelessness – imagine a world where there are zero children in temporary accommodation’ which will explain how the sector can work collaboratively with partners and agencies to create a safe and secure home for all children. This is now more important than ever as the number of homeless children continues to grow as the cost-of-living crisis deepens the housing emergency!

Julie Williams, conference producer, is looking forward to hearing from Stephanie Hirst, national radio broadcaster, DJ and diversity and inclusion public speaker. I was so inspired to hear Stephanie’s story of achieving her career ambitions against the odds. She has battled a huge internal conflict for most of her life, which threatened her dream and life as a radio star, which she had worked so hard to accomplish. Her story is a true rollercoaster, from entertaining audiences of millions to having to make the gut-wrenching decision to either throw it all away, take her own life, or believe that she could rise from the ashes of a once celebrated career. Diversity and inclusion are incredibly close to her heart and her inspiring story will help to educate those who want to learn more about LGBTQ+ issues along with motivating people to reach their potential in life. She is incredibly warm, funny and engaging and her story is really moving and will make you believe you can achieve anything!

Leah Darbyshire, head of awards and conferences, is excited to hear from Lara Oyedele, president of the Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) and the chief executive of Black On Board Ltd. I had the pleasure of meeting Lara for the first time at an evening event celebrating the graduates of Leadership 2025. Lara’s experience and achievements are incredibly impressive just in themselves, but more than that Lara inspired me with her commitment to staying authentic and being true to yourself even while occupying one of the most senior positions in the housing sector. Lara has even taken time out of her busy schedule to familiarize me with the sector as a newcomer. Describing her presidential dinner speech Lara explained to me that she had spoken from the heart, talking about the issues that genuinely upset – rather than just concern - her as well as the many things for which she is grateful. I’m looking forward to hearing Lara speak at Housing 2023 because I know it won’t just be insightful from a sector point of view – it will also be human. Lara said that she had been determined to make her presidential speech ‘more Lara’. I think we can all be ‘more Lara’!

And finally for me, I am soooo looking forward to hearing from Cllr Bev Craig, leader, Manchester City Council. She is amazing! Born and raised on a council estate just outside of Belfast, she was the first in her family to go to university, moving to Manchester in 2003 to study, making it her home. After graduating from the University of Manchester with a degree in politics and modern history she began her career in local government, before working in higher education and then a national trade union leading on social care. Alongside working full time, Bev completed postgraduate degrees at Warwick Business School and the University of Manchester. Bev says ‘I grew up in social housing and my family still rely on it. I know the value of [what] the safety net of a good quality home can give you when times are tough.’ Now as Manchester’s first female and LGBTQ+ leader, her focus is on the importance of building a more inclusive and sustainable economy, children and young people, equalities, housing and zero carbon. Bev is also Greater Manchester Combined Authority portfolio lead for Digital and Education, Skills, Work and Apprenticeships and, as such, is leading our Housing 2023 jobs’ fair. My first meeting in the new year was with Bev and it was a great way to kick off 2023.

Sarah Payling, group event director (housing), Ocean Media and a proud Mancunian for the last three decades.

Don’t miss out on your chance to hear from these inspiring women. Book your place to attend Housing 2023 here today.