CHC Governance Conference 2026 - Meeting the Moment: Leadership fit for a Changing Wales
£355
£469
We are living through a period of profound transformation. Social expectations are shifting, economic pressures are intensifying, and the political environment continues to evolve. For housing associations, these forces are converging in real time—reshaping the way we deliver homes, engage with and support tenants, and plan for resilient, future-focused organisations.
In this moment of change, the role of boards has never been more crucial.
This governance conference invites board members, governance professionals and senior leaders to come together and reflect on what it will take to meet the moment: to understand the scale of the shifts facing our sector, to explore what they mean for strategic leadership, and to ensure that our governance frameworks are fit for the Wales of tomorrow.
Grounded in the sector’s culture of excellence and commitment to communities, this event is designed to help boards not just respond to change, but lead through it—delivering clarity, stability and ambition at a time when these qualities are most needed.
Join us as we equip Wales’ housing sector to meet the moment with confidence, purpose and vision.
Draft programme
8.30am Registration and networking breakfast
10am Introduction and chair's welcome
10.10am Opening address | Meeting the moment, homes for every future
The upcoming election brings more than just new MPs and redefined boundaries—it brings a pivotal shift in political dynamics. While the landscape is changing, one thing remains constant: the power and influence of robust local relationships rooted in people and place.Your work within communities is the most powerful tool we have to demonstrate the impact of investment and to argue for bold change. Join us for this interactive session to map out what the new electoral map means for your community, and to reflect on how to use your local expertise to navigate the national agenda. Don't watch change happen— drive it.
10.20am Keynote | People, Power and Progress: How to Build the workforce the Future Demands
Identifying the workforce challenge is easy; responding to it is where the real work begins. In this session, we strip back the corporate jargon to tackle the "how" of workforce transformation. We’ll look at the current trends squeezing the Welsh housing market and ask: what must senior leaders do now to make their organisations a magnet for talent? From cultural shifts to structural redesign, we explore the essential checklist for leadership teams looking to build high-performing, future-proof workforces that can deliver for our communities.
10.50am Panel | The Cultural Blueprint: Aligning Leadership, Diversity, and Psychological Safety
High-quality services are built on trust, respect, and a commitment to doing the right thing. This session explores how internal workforce culture directly impacts the fairness and dignity residents experience in their homes. We examine how inclusive leadership and Board-level transparency create the environment needed for staff to excel. Learn how to foster a workforce that doesn't just meet standards, but exceeds them—reflecting the communities we serve through a culture of courage, diversity, and excellence.
11.30am Coffee, networking and exhibition viewing.
12pm Panel | The Street-Level Solution: Solving National Challenges through Local Connection
National strategies alone cannot solve long term, systemic challenges such as health inequalities, community resilience or the evolving needs of an ageing population. We know that success requires action at neighbourhood and street level as well as in the offices of those in power.
This session drills down into the power of social infrastructure—the essential "glue" that fosters connection, health, independence, and resilience within our neighborhoods. Join us to explore how tailoring support to the local level creates the community strength and what this means for making progress on the issues that matter to communities.
12.40pm Lunch, networking and exhibition viewing
1.45pm Workshops
1) What is your black swan moment?
This session brings together technical expertise and valuable oversight to help you pressure-test your organisation's resilience. In this workshop, we will examine the generative space between Board and Exec when a crisis hits. Participants will gain insights into robust assurance frameworks and regulatory expectations, learning how to build an organisational "immune system" that can withstand the most extreme Black Swan events.
2) Homes for every future: harnessing the political will to end the housing emergency
The upcoming election brings more than just new MSs and redrawn boundaries—it brings a high-stakes shift in political dynamics. While the landscape is changing, one thing remains constant: the power and influence of strong local relationships rooted in people and place.
Your work in communities is the most powerful tool we have to evidence the impact of investment and make the case for bold change. Join us for this interactive session to map out what the new electoral map means for your community and reflect on how to leverage your local expertise to shape the national agenda. Don't just watch the change happen—drive it.
3) Building effective relationships for the seventh Senedd - Rhea Stevens
The upcoming election brings more than just new MSs and redrawn boundaries—it brings a high-stakes shift in political dynamics. While the landscape is changing, one thing remains constant: the power and influence of strong local relationships rooted in people and place.
Your work in communities is the most powerful tool we have to evidence the impact of investment and make the case for bold change. Join us for this interactive session to map out what the new electoral map means for your community and reflect on how to leverage your local expertise to shape the national agenda. Don't just watch the change happen—drive it.
4) Briefing zone: Legislative changes - what you need to know
With the legislative landscape in Wales moving at a rapid pace, staying compliant requires more than just a quick scan of the news. This essential briefing provides a definitive roadmap of the changes affecting social housing in 2026.
5) Pathway to Board
2.30pm Coffee, networking and exhibition viewing
2.55pm Keynote | Shifting power, stronger voice: Leading through the 2026 transition
With the 2026 Senedd Elections approaching on 7 May, the Welsh housing sector must find its collective voice to ensure that ‘Homes for every future’ isn't just a slogan, but a reality.
Join us for this essential session to navigate the most significant shift in Welsh politics for 25 years. With the Senedd expanding to 96 Members, new boundaries and a new voting system, the rules of engagement have changed. This session will provide the latest intelligence on the movements, manifestos, and mandates that will define the next decade of Welsh housing.
3.25pm Panel | From manifesto to mission
The keynote set the stage; now we build the script. In this final high-impact panel, we bring together the UK’s leading voices on government and public service. We will learn from those who have navigated and examined political change across different parts of the UK to consider what this might mean for Wales. This is your chance to hear from the people who see the big picture, offering you the confidence to lead your organisation through transition and into a position of strength.
3.45pm Chair's close
4.10pm Workshops
1) The regulatory evolution
What can we learn from new regulatory approaches. Join this session to hear from two evolving models including feedback from the regulatory pilots in Wales and a view from England.
2) AI and rising expectations - Ethics and governance
3) Decarbonising our homes
We know what we need to do to reach Net Zero, but how do we pay for it without leaving our tenants behind? This session moves past the technical blueprints to tackle the difficult questions of equity and cost. During this session, we will debate the tension between rent levels, investment in stock, and fuel poverty. Featuring unique insights into embedding the tenant voice from day one, we ask: Is a "just transition" truly possible when budgets are squeezed? Join us for a candid discussion on how to balance the books while ensuring every tenant has a voice in the green revolution.
4) Workshop TBC
4.55pm Conference close