Part of NHBC’s Innovators event series, this new addition to the programme saw affordable housing professionals gather to explore ‘Innovation through partnership’, the event’s theme.

Held in central London, representatives from more than 120 housing associations, developers, house builders, operators and other major stakeholders were in attendance to learn about the latest developments in the sector, hear from industry leaders and network.

The event was opened by keynote speaker Shahi Islam, director of affordable housing at Homes England. He discussed the current affordable housing landscape, the pressures the sector faces in needing to deliver more homes more quickly and the Affordable Homes Programme top-up, as announced in the last Budget. Further topics Mr Islam touched upon included rent policy, the planning framework, housing strategy, tenure priority, shared ownership and consumer standards.

Presentation speakers included Marcus Dixon, director of UK residential research at JLL; Angela Wood, chair of the G15 Development Directors’ Group; Nick Cumberland, head of delivery programme at Great Places and Stephen Teagle, chief executive of partnerships and regeneration at Vistry Group. Using case studies to illustrate examples of successful partnership placemaking and cost-efficient project management, the event’s speakers explored innovative solutions to get Britain building more homes in the affordable sector.

Charlie Ash, sector lead – affordable housing at NHBC, said: “I’d like to say a special thank you to Ian Fletcher at the British Property Federation for working with us to deliver this flagship affordable housing event. Unsurprisingly, with partnership as the central theme, the importance of collaboration and working together was emphasised by many of the speakers.

“It’s encouraging house building has risen in the political and media agendas in the past year, but quality, affordable housing must remain at the heart of the industry, along with solutions to unlocking housing delivery. NHBC is proud to work in trusted partnership with housing associations, local authorities, developers, house builders, contractors, and the wider affordable housing market with a focus on long-term asset protection, helping to build right first time.”

Ian Fletcher, director of policy at the British Property Federation, added: “The importance of collaboration and partnership working is more to the fore than it has ever been. Demand for affordable housing is only growing, and the sector is under more pressure than ever before to deliver. It was a privilege to listen to our speakers and hear about their positive experiences of the for-profit and not-for-profit sectors working together.

“By combining the commercial expertise and investment potential of the for-profit sector, with the social purpose and placemaking knowledge of the not-for-profit sector, we can do great things together, accelerating affordable house building in the UK. Ultimately however, we must always remain conscious of residents and keep them at the heart of all we do.”