Finance Conference 2026 | From risk to resilience: sustaining our progress

The human cost of Wales’s housing emergency is profound, deeply affecting health, wealth and life opportunities across the nation. 

At a time of seemingly endless political churn, volatile economic forecasts, increasing demands on every front and rapid technological disruption, the need for sustained action is unwavering.  For finance directors and their teams, the challenge is not just about balancing the books—it is about sustaining the very ambition and core purpose  of the Welsh social housing sector under immense pressure.

This conference moves past the familiar talking points of 'unprecedented times' to confront the hard realities of today’s financial landscape. It is a space for honest, transparent reflection and strategy.  Together, we will dissect the economic forecasts, political environment, interrogate new funding models, and explore how we harness emerging technology to protect our financial resilience.

Every decimal point we manage represents a home, a family, and a community. Join us as we look beyond the ledger to ensure that, even in the most challenging of times, we hold true to our shared purpose to change lives and communities across Wales.

Draft programme

Day 1 - Thursday 1 October

8.45am Registration, networking and exhibition viewing

9.40am Introduction to Day One - Chair’s Welcome

9.50am Keynote | Reading the Room: How the Current Political Climate is Shaping Housing Finance

10.20am Panel | What does this actually mean for social housing?

11.00am Coffee Break/Exhibition Viewing/Networking

12.00pm Workshops

1) The Human Ledger: Managing the Psychological Impact of Economic Change
2) SORP update
3) The Finance Innovation lab: Pitch your ideas for the future
4) The Housing Tax Health Check: Crucial Updates and Compliance

12.45pm Lunch/Networking/Exhibition Viewing

13.55pm Panel | Redrawing the Roadmap: Business Planning in a Volatile Era

14.35pm  Workshops

1)The Human Ledger: Managing the Psychological Impact of Economic Change
2) Essential Pensions Update for Housing Associations
3) Essential Insurance Update for Housing Associations
4) The FD Playbook: Lessons from the Top for Future Leaders

15.20pm Coffee Break/Exhibition Viewing/Networking

15.50pm Panel | Sweating the Assets: Unlocking Underutilised Revenue Streams

16.20pm Close of Day 1 - Chair’s reflections

17.00pm Drinks reception

19.00pm Dinner

20.30pm Evening entertainment: The Great Social Housing Lego Build
 

Day 2 - Friday 2 October

8.45am Registration, networking and exhibition viewing

9.40am  Introduction to Day Two - Chair’s Welcome

9.50am Behind Closed Doors: Inside a Credit Rating Committee Meeting

10.20am The Regulator’s Roadmap: Driving Resilience in a Decade of Renewal

10.40am Panel | The Matrix: Balancing Credit Rating Demands with Regulatory Reality

11.10am Coffee break, networking and exhibition viewing

12.00pm Workshops

1) Essential Insurance Update for Housing Associations
2) Essential Pensions Update for Housing Associations
3) SORP update
4) The Housing Tax Health Check: Crucial Updates and Compliance

12.20pm AI in the Finance Function – Hype vs. Reality

12.50pm Panel | The AI Rollout: Practical Next Steps for Finance Leaders

1.50pm - Chair’s close and reflections

2.00pm Conference close and takeaway lunch

Accommodation

We have reserved rooms at the Metropole for our conference delegates. To book a room, call the Metropole directly on 01597 823700 and let them know that you are booking for the One big conference. You will pay through the Metropole and they will handle your booking.

If there is no room at the Metropole or you would like to stay elsewhere, the below options are available:

• The Llanerch Inn (10 minute walk from metropole)
  
• Highland Moors Guesthouse (0.4 miles from centre)
  
• Hampton Hotel (0.7 miles from centre)
  
  

Local taxi firms if staying further out:

George’s Taxi – 07498729724
Adeys Taxi – 01597822188

Both of the above are local recommendations.