Novus Blog
Our Super 8: The Sessions We are Really Looking Forward to at Housing 2020

In 2020 and for one year only, the Chartered Institute of Housing‘s annual conference is going virtual. As always, the agenda looks to be jam packed with a host of industry expert speakers, here are sessions we cannot wait to see.
1. Martina Lees and Sonia Sodha – 2020 reflections and looking to the future with leading commentators
Straight out of the gate on day 1, the 9-10am Keynote session features two of the most prominent journalists writing about the housing sector today.
Martina Lees is the Senior Property Writer at Times and Sonia, Chief Leader Write and Columnist at The Observer.
Their session will “reflect over one of the most tumultuous years in recent memory” as “the expert panel of political commentators will work through what these unprecedented challenges mean for the sector and our communities going forward.”
The hour-long slot will also discuss uncertainty created around Brexit and the current transition period and its implications to the housing sector and its wider impacts.
This session is only open to delegates, so do ensure you register as a delegate should you wish to join us in attending.
2. Rt Hon Christopher Pincher MP – Keynote address from the Housing Minister
Undoubtedly, one of the standout speaking sessions at Housing this year is the address from the Minister of State (Housing Minister).
Christopher Pincher was appointed Minister of State at the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government on 13 February 2020.
Although specifics of the speaking session haven’t been released just yet, this session will be a must-attend for delegates concerned with how government policies are informing the activities of the sector now and into the future.
Join the Minister of State at 1pm on Monday 7th September.
3. Fusion 21 and Tpas – Involving tenants in procurement and asset management
As this is an important subject for many of our clients, it is one that close to our hearts too.
Tenant engagement has been a hot topic for some time now and in this Innovation Hub session, Fusion 21 and Tpas present their findings of a joint research project on the matter.
In what is likely to be an insightful session, colleagues from both organisations will be joined by real tenants and housing provider procurement team members to outline “ways in which tenants can shape asset management and procurement at a strategic level.”
Alongside this, how ongoing tenant field testing and dialogue drives improvements in the products and services purchased by landlords.
After all, the tenants are those who live with the results of their landlords’ procurement decisions, therefore their input is warranted and should be valued.
The sessions takes place on Monday 7th September at 14.45 and is available to all conference goers.
4. Sophie Seddon and John Palfreyman – How Housing Associations Can Benefit from Agile Working
Of course, we are slightly biased with our next selection as Sophie and John are Novus directors. However, if you are working for a Housing Association or Contractor, this one will be well worth a watch.
Taking place in Housing’s now famous Fringe arena, the session will focus on how “Agile working is about bringing people, processes, connectivity and technology together, to find the most appropriate and effective way of working.
Sophie and John will discuss what agile working truly means in our sector, the benefits of agile working practices for housing associations, and by extension, how it ultimately benefits tenants.
We hope you can make the speaker session; it takes place on Tuesday at 11.45am in the Fringe.
5. Juha Kaakinen and Steve Douglas – Identifying new and innovative ways to tackle homelessness
Much of the social value work that Novus has done over the recent years has addressed homelessness in some way.
That’s why we’re really keen to hear what Juha Kakkinen and Steve Douglas have to say about innovations in tackling homelessness in their Keynote session on Tuesday.
‘Home’ means more than a roof over our heads they explain in their preview.
Their speaking event will discuss what it means to have a home and question whether we lose more than merely a place to sleep if we do become homeless.
We are hoping that their session will identify opportunities where the sector might make radical changes to benefit the homeless and inspire action to help tackle this issue.
Delegates can catch this session on Tuesday 8th at 10.30am.
6. Chyrel Brown, Natalia Rogaczewska, and Joe Lane – Supporting tenants and communities through the COVID-19 recovery
How the sector recovers from the Covid-19 crisis is going to be a critical topic in the coming 12 months and beyond. This is a significant challenge particularly in the face of the deepest recession on record.
Shelter, the housing and homeless charity estimates that around 1.7 million renters expect to lose their job and Citizens Advice estimates that 2.6 million renters expect to fall behind on rent.
This speaker session discusses what can be done to support those people at risk.
Exploring the government’s interventions and welfare reforms required in supporting vulnerable tenants through the recovery, the speakers will explore practical strategies for landlords and what learnings can we acquire from other countries?
This session will take place on Wednesday 9th at 10.30am in the Fringe.
7. The Rt Hon Robert Jenrick MP – Keynote address from the Secretary of State for Housing
Although there are no specifics as to what the Secretary of State for Housing will be covering in his session, it is sure to be a highlight of Housing 2020.
We are hoping that the session provides insight into the Government’s latest position and perhaps outline initiatives that are going to shape and influence how the sector behaves going forward.
Robert Jenrick was appointed Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government on 24 July 2019 and is is responsible for the overall leadership and strategic direction of the ministry.
You can join the Secretary of State for Housing on Thursday 10th at 10.30am in the Keynote arena.
You will need to be a delegate to view the speaking event. You can register here >>
8. Miles Attenborough, Colin Hall, Tara Gbolade, and Dr Ahsan Khan – Innovative and practical solutions to achieving sustainable homes and communities
Sustainability in construction and housing has been a key focus for a long time now but never has the issue been in such sharp relief.
The session will look at how we can transform the way we design, construct, and consume energy in new homes to enable a more sustainable future.
As experts in the field, the 4 strong panel will discuss practical examples of the available innovations and how they can be used to overcome the barriers to sustainability in homes.
Join us at Housing 2020
There is still time to register for the event >>
Novus are one of the main sponsors of CIH Housing this year and are exhibiting all week. We hope that you can stop-by our virtual stand and take the time to have a chat with a member of the team. See you on 7th September!

Celebrating our colleagues at the Novus Awards
We had a fantastic year in 2024, from a series of exciting contract wins and project completions to social value initiatives and working with our charity partners. None of this would have been possible without our fantastic colleagues, clients and supply chain partners, which is why we recently celebrated them all at the annual Novus Awards.