Radical Housing Conference

In a world where an affordable home has become the oxymoron of our time, we need to think differently about housing delivery. This conference explores how land assembly, finance, inclusion, and communities can combine in innovative ways to unlock new and radical models that enable the delivery of properly affordable homes for people in housing need.

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Date

12th and 13th October 2023

Time

09:00 – 18:00

Location

UWE Hewlett packard enterprise site

Our Speakers

We have carefully selected our speakers for this years conference to be able to give our participants the most out of their experience.

 

  • Linda Farrow – Conference Chair and Cofounder at Agile Homes
  • Kate Farrell – Head of Housing Supply Strategy Crisis
  • Paul Chatterton Co-Founder of LILAC Cohousing project in Leeds
  • Elena Marco – Pro-Vice Chancellor University of the West of England
  • Richard Bacon MP The Custom Build and Community Housing Act 2015
  • Rev. Nic Harris – Chaplain For Housing
  • Guy Harris – Accessibility and Inclusion – AccessiblePRS
  • Clare Skidmore – NHS England National Strategic Housing Lead
  • Jon Lee – Ecology Building Society
  • Libby Eastley – Places for People Cllr
  • Tom Renhard – Cabinet Member for Housing Bristol Council
  • Craig Luttman – Citra Living Lloyds Banking Group
  • Louise Drew – Head of Building Communities at Shakespeare Martineau
  • Tom Chance – Chief Executive Community Land Trust Network
  • Kate Faulkner OBE – Chair HSBG
  • Peter Merrifield – CEO Support When it Matters
  • Tom Warder – Sussex Community Housing Hub
  • Richard Amos – Life on Wheels Healthwatch Shropshire

The Conference Synopsis

Building on the success of last year’s conference, the Radical Housing Conference 2023 on the 12th and 13th of October, explores six key themes for the scaling of the delivery of properly affordable homes. They are:

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Day One
Community, Land and Finance
Day Two
Homelessness, Care and Resilience

Community
By acting collectively, people can take on the development of their own homes themselves, to deliver better outcomes in housing. Custom Build, Co and Community-led housing is one of the fastest growing sectors in UK housing. 

Land
How can a new land supply be created that better meets the needs of individuals and communities Commercial land banking is not the only way to build homes; unlocking land for better housing outcomes is possible.

Finance
Where will the finance come from to better drive forward the delivery of properly affordable homes? Innovative models from Mutual Home Ownership to the re-invention of the Building Societies and the Cooperative movements of the 19th century

Homelessness
Rough sleeping is the tip of an iceberg of undeclared homelessness floating in a sea of sofa surfing and insecure tenancy. Hear from sector specialists about practical solutions, tailored to the needs of people with lived experience of homelessness and those at risk of losing their home.

Care and Inclusion
There is a crisis of care for those who rely on others to support their living needs, whether this is for young or old, for people with physical or cognitive challenges and or those who live with stress, anxiety and depression. Gain insights from people delivering client-focussed care solutions that can make care budgets go further

Resilience
In an uncertain world the need to build resilient communities that can better meet the climate and hosing crises has to become a priority. We explore how, by thinking small and scaling fast, resilient communities might better serve our needs. This is where the conference will draw together our shared conclusions and next steps for action. Each Theme will be kicked of with a keynote and then syndicated into two break-out workshop sessions and lead by specialists in their field.

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Pat Steward

Head of Opportunity

I am a professional planner (MRTPI) and urban designer. I have over 30 years of public, private and voluntary sector experience in management, change management, partnership development, community engagement, planning, transport, regeneration, environment and design. I focused on making things happen and delivery; I have lead on strategy production – from national policy, regional planning, local plans and master plans.

I work with organisations, communities and individuals to identify opportunities to deliver low carbon, affordable, modular homes; using whole systems thinking to find solutions that have social, environmental and economic benefits.

I was a keen sportsman and played cricket at a decent level (and have got better as I get older!!). Now it’s mostly spectating, long walks with the dog and foraging (one of the riskier hobbies!).

Lucy Smith

Pre Construction Project Manager

With a substantial background in housing provision, gained as an Operations Manager for a student accommodation provider, I am passionate about delivering projects with a client centred approached.

I was drawn to join Agile’s mission to tackle homelessness by providing affordable, low carbon homes, and I join them in their determination to drive modern methods of construction forward. Since joining I have played an instrumental role in implementing the BOPAS Quality Assurance Scheme, ensuring compliance across design, manufacturing, and construction phases by becoming a specialist in Procore Project Management software.

I am passionate about societal issues and have a degree in Social Inclusion. Working with adults with Autism, additional needs and mobility requirements has provided me with first-hand experience of the effects on peoples lives when housing provision is unsuitable. I share Agile’s vision to change this narrative by working on the provision of accessible and safe spaces that people can call home, Agile are making a positive impact and I am delighted to be on this journey with them.

Ben Morris

Production & Workshop Manager

Ben is an experienced leader with 12 years’ experience in modular buildings and marine civil engineering. He has proven himself to be adept at problem-solving and ensuring top-quality products leave his workshop.

Skilled in managing teams effectively to overcome industry-specific challenges his role as head of production and our workshop manager in our Oxford site. Ben has been influential in driving production excellence and operational efficiency.

Ben has found his work with Agile fulfilling, noting the positive impact that the companies values have had on colleagues under his guidance. This brings him immense satisfaction in the workplace. Outside of work, Ben is a dedicated family man and we are proud to have him as part of our team.

Nicola Mead

Designer

After completing her Masters in Architecture in Summer 2022, Nicola joined the team to continue her passion for environmentally and socially sustainable architecture. Her involvement in the Architects’ Climate Action Network (ACAN) during the pandemic led her to start her own student led climate action network at university which furthered her interest and commitment to finding low carbon innovation solutions.

Martin Wood

Reseller Advisor & Corporate development lead

My name is Martin Wood. I am the Associate Advisor and Corporate Development lead for Agile Property & Homes..

I joined Agile in 2022 having previously run my own business for 8 years, specialising in salary sacrifice schemes with Corporates, NHS and Councils allowing employees to procure the latest technology in affordable monthly payments.

Having a degree in Business Management (BA Hons) and previous business experience have equipped me with the necessary skills to excel with Agile. I have a knack for working across teams and connecting the dots, which allows me to enhance the experience for our customers and associates. I am always on the lookout for new strategic initiatives and opportunities to replicate successful models, which ultimately leads to cost savings for our clients.

My role also involves encouraging associates to think creatively and challenge traditional methods, promoting innovation within our company. I am confident that my skills and experience will contribute to the success and growth of Agile.

As a remote worker based in Bedfordshire, I am determined to get things done while working alongside my colleagues in a personable manner. I am also excited about the future, where I hope to commission Agile for a self-build project and become a customer rather than just part of the team. Working for a company that has a real purpose and is determined to do the right thing has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my professional career. I am grateful for the opportunity to work with Agile Property & Homes and look forward to many more years of collaboration and success.

Lucy Wood

Architect

I am an ARB registered Architect building a career dedicated to challenging conventional systems in the construction industry.

I joined Agile in 2019 to work for a company that aligns with my aspirations for the future of the built environment. I studied at University of Nottingham, specialised into Sustainable Architecture during my Masters at Centre for Alternative Technology and completed my qualifications at Bristol UWE.

My focus is on sustainable, socially responsible design that prioritises environmental and human well-being. I have worked on a diverse range of project with Agile and seem to enjoy working on tricky sloping sites!

Craig White

CEO

My work at Agile is to ensure that we continue to scale the delivery of safe, civil, low-carbon affordable homes for people in housing need.

Craig is Co-founder and CEO of Agile Homes, with over 35 years experience in the design and development of award winning, low-carbon and sustainable buildings and 20 plus years in MMC innovation, design, manufacture and delivery.

Sarah Daly

Head of Partnerships & Regenerative Communities

Sarah's extensive career in sustainability and the built environment has included senior roles in global consultancies, managing director of her own consultancy and of an architectural practice, lecturing and several non-exec and trustee roles. At Agile she is focused on joined-up regional partnerships to deliver exemplary housing to those most in need. She has won many awards and has been credited as a LinkedIn sustainability influencer!

Steve Edrich

Chief Operations Officer (COO)

45 years international experience in range of business areas, including renewable energy, furniture making and successful new business start-ups. Member of teams that successfully delivered a £90 million debt/equity funded renewable power plant in Greater London. I enjoy the operational challenges of taking a great idea into a start-up environment and then the transition into a post-start-up business. Passionate believer in what Agile is doing.

Ian Butler

Head of Delivery

An experienced Project Manager with a passion & drive for perfection which has culminated in several NHBC ‘Seal of Excellence’ awards and selected as a Finalist for the 2013 LABC Quality Awards with Cadfan Developments Ltd. A strong & organised leader with an ongoing desire to create and produce the best properties and constantly looking for new challenges to push the boundaries of building methods, techniques and client expectations.

Chris Bayly

Senior Designer

My name is Chris Bayly and I am a Senior Designer at Agile. I joined the company in 2022 with 11 years of architecture experience.

Most recently I ran my own architectural practice for 4 years based in Wiltshire and Bristol.

Prior to that, I worked as an Architect for 5 years on high-end residential projects in Wiltshire, and for 2 years on social housing, health, and education projects in Gloucester. I received my BA and BArch in Architecture from the Manchester School of Architecture and completed my qualifications at Bristol UWE.

I have a passion for getting involved in building projects, which started when I worked as a labourer as a teenager. Since becoming a qualified Architect, I have designed and built 2 garden rooms and renovated 2 houses. During my time living in Chile, I also worked with local children to help them design and build a garden for their school with the support of the community.

In my free time, I enjoy outdoor activities and have been a regular runner for 20 years, competing in both road and off-road marathons. My approach to architecture is centred around clear communication, creativity, diligence, and understanding the bigger picture. As I have become more aware of the climate crisis, I have adapted my approach to construction to prioritize natural materials and reduce embodied energy in both my work and personal life. Working for Agile aligns with my values and professional goals.

Finlay White

Procurement and Systems Lead

Finlay has been involved in the delivery of prefabricated panel systems to the construction industry for over 15 years.

Prior to this he worked in a variety of Senior Business Development and Marketing roles. Developing products, individuals and systems to deliver quality on time and on budget.

Over the past 15 years Finlay has worked on a range of multi-award winning building projects; both large and small. Including residential, commercial and educational buildings.

He has successfully taken companies through ISO, BOPAS and CHAS Accreditation.

Finlay has worked on a number of Government and European Research Projects to deliver innovation in the environmental building solutions market place.

He has developed a supply chain of high standard material suppliers, whilst negotiating excellent quality and value for money solutions.

Finlay also heads up our ‘Panel Only’ side of the business. This is working with Clients and Architects to deliver Agile’s innovative prefabricated Panel system for use as part of a larger project.

RobertMoore

Chair of the board

30+ years in corporate finance at Barclays Bank. Experience in fast-growth at McLaren Automotive and Honestly Tasty.