Navigating AI – A Leader’s Guide to Innovation and Governance 

Navigating AI – A Leader’s Guide to Innovation and Governance 

NHC members came together for an online event designed specifically for senior leaders across the social housing sector. Navigating AI: A Leader’s Guide to Innovation and Governance explored the rapidly evolving landscape of artificial intelligence, with a focus on the strategic, ethical, and practical implications for housing organisations. 

Chaired by Leann Hearne, NHC Board Member, the session brought together insights from: 

  • Ian Cresswell, Director of Technology, Magenta Living 
  • Guy Marshall, Director, Fuza Ltd 
  • Jo Sedley Burke, Associate, Campbell Tickell 

Key Themes and Insights 

AI is reshaping business models. Speakers highlighted that major global organisations are already being transformed by AI, with companies such as Oracle and Salesforce making substantial organisational changes in response. The message for the housing sector was clear: AI is not an add-on, but a strategic shift that will influence every part of service delivery. 

Choosing the right technology partners. As outcomes increasingly become the service, selecting the right AI vendor is critical. Attendees were urged to understand vendor roadmaps, ensure alignment with organisational goals, and be absolutely clear about the implications of what they are signing up to. 

Ethics, data quality, and customer trust. Ethical considerations—particularly around data, connected devices, and resident privacy—were central to the discussion. While AI can improve data integrity and break down organisational silos, transparency with customers is essential. Used well, AI can rebalance power toward residents, enabling new forms of co‑design and co‑creation. 

Human oversight remains vital. All speakers reinforced that AI must support, not replace, professional judgement. Poor quality data will inevitably lead to poor decisions, and robust oversight is essential to mitigate risk. 

Magenta Living: Practical AI in Action 

Ian Cresswell shared how AI underpins Magenta Living’s wider transformation programme, spanning: 

  • Traditional AI 
  • Generative AI (including tools like Copilot) 
  • Agentic AI, enabling staff to build tailored agents to automate tasks and solve operational problems 

Benefits already emerging include more personalised customer services, investigation of IoT sensors, and rapid sentiment analysis of consultations—allowing the organisation to understand customer views within hours rather than weeks. 

Magenta is working with the Wirral AI Academy and is recruiting an AI Business Partner to help teams design and deploy agents. A monthly steering group oversees agentic AI governance and approves use cases where required. The overarching message: use existing governance frameworks—don’t reinvent the wheel. 

A powerful example showcased how AI is transforming work for colleagues. This video highlighted Donna, an allocations and lettings officer with dyslexia and neurodiversity, who shared how AI tools—particularly Copilot—have boosted her confidence and enabled her to focus on her strengths. 

Notably, Magenta’s growing community of “AI Masters” are not technical specialists, demonstrating the accessibility of these tools. 

Additional Resources 

  • housingai.org (HAILIE – Housing AI Leadership and Implementation Exchange) a free resource aimed at supporting individuals to develop their AI knowledge, chaired by speaker Guy Marshall 

We’ll be featuring AI in several of our upcoming events, with more information to follow. In the meantime, if there’s a particular area of AI you’d like to see us focus on, please let kate.maughan@northern-consortium.org.uk know. 

Igniting opportunity for the housing sector’s next senior leaders 

Igniting opportunity for the housing sector’s next senior leaders 

Last month, the NHC partnered with the Centre for Partnership to run the Edge Programme, a new and innovative leadership initiative, to inspire and develop the housing sector’s next senior leaders. 

 We brought together a brilliant cohort for the IGNITE Leadership Cabin for a focused few days of learning, challenge and inspiration. Highlights included: 

  • Honest leadership insights from housing chief executives  
  • Thoughtful discussions on the future of social housing and the strategic opportunities ahead for the sector 
  • A closer look at Riverside Sunderland’s regeneration strategies and its ambitious vision 
  • Visits to Housing, Innovation and Construction Skills Academy and the Stadium of Light and the Beacon of Light to see community impact in action 

Abigail Harries and Carla Platell of Bromford Flagship LiveWest Group were part of the group.  

Abigail said:  

“The IGNITE Leadership Cabin was an inspiring experience that created genuine connection with senior leadership peers from across the UK and Ireland. Whether debating the role of housing in regeneration, hearing real stories from CEOs, or exploring Sunderland’s ongoing transformation, the programme pushed us to think differently.  

“Visiting Dame Irene Hays at Hays Travel and seeing their culture in action was a particular highlight. I’ve come away from IGNITE with fresh insights, new connections, and a renewed sense of purpose.” 

Carla said:  

“The IGNITE Leadership Cabin was such a refreshing experience. Exploring Sunderland’s regeneration and spending time at the SAFC Foundation of Light helped me reconnect with why we do this work … to create places people can be proud of.  

“I left feeling inspired, challenged, and excited to be part of a community of senior leaders who genuinely want to make a difference. My key takeaway from the Hays Travel study visit at this inaugural cabin was the importance of looking at psychological safety in my team and how as a leader can I allow people to share their ideas confidently and build on their strengths.” 

At the NHC, we are keen to support emerging senior leaders who will shape the next chapter of housing. It was fantastic to see such energy and ambition in this year’s group. 

You can find out further details about the Edge Programme here. 

Temporary Accommodation in the North Seminar supports members to address homelessness 

Temporary Accommodation in the North Seminar supports members to address homelessness 

We held the second Temporary Accommodation in North Seminar, in collaboration with Devonshires and Campbell Tickell as part of the national Temporary Accommodation Network. 

NHC members are facing increasingly acute challenges in addressing homelessness. The seminar brought together over 40 local authorities and registered providers to discuss emerging approaches to make sure temporary accommodation is as safe, comfortable and people are offered a more permanent home as soon as possible.  

We heard from: 

  • The North East Combined Authority, discussing how strategic authorities were responding to the National Plan to End Homelessness and a role for Mayors in driving regional coordination and collaboration. 
  • Liverpool City Council, sharing an update on their Test and Learn Pilot, and how their emerging prevention approach was having a huge impact on the number of children in B&B’s and hotels. 
  • Calderdale Council, talking through their Built for Zero work with Crisis, an innovative culture shift that was resulting in better outcomes for people using temporary accommodation. 
  • The Temporary Accommodation Network (Campbell Tickell & Devonshires), briefing attendees on how the Government’s National Plan was impacting on temporary accommodation, and the subsidy gap faced by Local Authorities.   

Key points from the discussion include: 

  • Quality, timely data is a catalyst for change – from developing real time dashboards to building a clearer regional picture of demand and provision. 
  • Test-and-learn approaches can deliver impact fast – with a focus on prevention, keen oversight of spend, and culture change. 
  • Culture and ways of working matter – real-time problem solving, accountability without blame, and a bias towards action can shift outcomes. 
  • Prevention remains hard to measure – but storytelling and partnership working can help demonstrate impact while the evidence base grows. 
  • System-wide collaboration is essential – across local authorities, combined authorities, housing providers and wider partners. 

To learn more about the Northern Housing Consortium’s work with members around the Private Rented Sector, homelessness, and temporary accommodation, contact Liam Gregson, Senior Engagement Manager (Devolution and Place Lead) – liam.gregson@northern-consrtium.org.uk 

Roundtables with Fiona MacGregor

We held a series of in-person roundtables with Fiona MacGregor, Chief Executive Officer of the Regulator of Social Housing, as she prepares to conclude her tenure at the end of this month. These sessions in Leeds, Manchester, and Newcastle brought together senior leaders from across the North—from local authorities to housing associations—for an honest, constructive, and forward-looking conversation about the future of regulation in the social housing sector. Across all three events, Fiona shared thoughtful reflections on her time at the regulator and engaged closely with members on their experiences of the evolving regulatory and political landscape. The discussions were rich, open, and energising. A huge thank you to everyone who joined us for the sessions. And of course, our sincere thanks to Fiona for her time, candour, and continued commitment to supporting the sector as it navigates a period of significant change. If you’d like to learn more about our regulatory engagement work, feel free to get in touch with matthew.johnston@northern-consortium.org.uk.

Insightful first session at new Decent Homes Network

Insightful first session at new Decent Homes Network

We recently held the first meeting of our new Decent Homes Network, a collaboration between NHC and NHC Procurement, bringing together housing providers, procurement specialists and policy colleagues to consider the implications of significant reform to housing standards and regulation. The first session of the network covered major aspects of housing policy announced by Government at the beginning of the year and gave members the chance to discuss the implications for their organisations.

The session opened with Simon Thirtle, Partner – Built Environment at Ward Hadaway, providing an overview of the current legislative landscape, including the phased introduction of Awaab’s Law and the move towards a single Decent Homes Standard across social housing and the private rented sector. Simon engaged with members as they discussed the policies in detail and provided important clarity on reforms.

NHC Procurement’s Head of procurement, Drew Frame and Head of commercial, Alistair Merchant outlined procurement and regulatory changes under the Procurement Act 2023. Procurement will play an important role in enabling members to implement regulatory changes – so procurement will be a continued theme in future sessions.

The NHC’s Senior Policy Advisor, Karen Brown discussed the review of government guidance for the implementation of the new Decent Homes Standard and the opportunity for the sector to influence clearer, more practical interpretation. Karen invited members to discuss the most recent sector engagement information from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) on how the Decent Homes Standard can be applied in practice. We recently submitted a consultation response about implementation of the new Standard to Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, read it here.

Our next meeting will take place on 16 June, 10:00-11:30 and will involve colleagues from MHCLG sharing what they have learned from their sector engagement work. You can find more information on this here.

Unlocking Success Bursary – applications open! 

We’re delighted to announce that applications for the NHC’s Unlocking Success Bursary 2026 are now open. 

Unlocking Success helps people living in social housing to realise their ambitions, by supporting them to access education and training, or to run or launch their own business. We offer £500 cash bursaries to cover costs including course fees, travel, equipment, childcare and even living expenses.

The Bursary is a key part of our shared commitment to creating opportunity, supporting inclusion, and delivering meaningful social impact for tenants across the North. But we need your help to spread the word and encourage tenant applications for 2026. 

The success of the programme relies on the support of members, and particularly colleagues working directly with tenants. 

The Unlocking Success Bursary Lunch will take place on Friday 4th December at Ramside Hall. This is our flagship fundraising event and a celebration of tenant achievement. We’ll be sharing more details on this soon, but do get in touch with lynda.redshaw@northern-consortium.org.uk to book your table. 

Thank you in advance for your support in helping unlock opportunities for tenants across the North.  

Find out more and apply here.

Renew inquiry – meetings at the heart of Government and first publication now live!  

April has been a significant month for the Renew inquiry.  

Lord Best, our Renew Advisory Group chair, the NHC’s Tracy Harrison and Patrick Murray and our Chair Charlie Norman went to Downing Street to brief No. 10 advisors about housing-led regeneration in the North. The group shared insight from our Renew inquiry about how housing-led regeneration can deliver growth, help tackle the housing crisis, and strengthen communities across the North. 

This meeting was a fantastic opportunity to engage with key people at the heart of the Government and to put forward a case about why housing-led regeneration is an essential part of northern growth and the delivery of new homes, alongside improving existing homes and places. It was also great to get insight from the No. 10 team about current policy priorities and how our work can link in. 

At the beginning of April we launched Perspectives on Regeneration, a series of think-pieces from the North’s leading voices on regeneration. The collection sets the context for the Renew inquiry looking at why regeneration is an essential part of tackling the housing crisis in the North.  

The articles share examples of best practice and partnership working, as well as covering the importance of resident voice in regeneration. Some of the articles look beyond the social housing sector into the private rented sector, and at community-led initiatives. Inside Housing has supported the series as part of their month-long focus on regeneration publishing articles from our Chief Executive Tracy Harrison and Chair of Homes England Pat Ritchie. 

We also brought together the Renew Advisory Group for their first face-to-face meeting in York to discuss initial findings from the Call for Evidence, with the interim report set to launch this summer. We received submissions from housing providers that own or manage 70 per cent of the North’s social housing.  
 
The meeting was followed by a site visit to York Central, one of the UK’s largest brownfield regeneration schemes. The group heard from Homes England’s Leon Guyett about how the site will deliver over 2,500 homes and add in excess of £1.2bn to the local economy. Work is well underway on infrastructure, and the start of the first phase is in sight. The scheme will undoubtably bring massive benefits to the city, but there have been challenges along the way. The site was first identified around 20 years ago, yet only now is it close to becoming a reality.  

Planning is underway for a series of visits with northern housing partnerships to member regeneration sites across the North. The tours will showcase sites at different stages of the regeneration journey and share lessons about what works well and barriers to successful delivery.  They will help decision makers understand the real-life impact of current and future policy priorities on communities and social housing providers in the North.  The NHC will capture learning from the visits and feed it into the Renew inquiry to develop policy and funding recommendations which support successful regeneration in the future. 

Renewed perspectives on regeneration in the North

Our Renew inquiry has launched a series of think-pieces from the North’s leading voices on regeneration. The collection sets the context for the Renew inquiry, looking at why regeneration is an essential part of tackling the housing crisis in the North.  

The articles share examples of best practice and partnership working, as well as covering the importance of resident voice in regeneration. Some of the articles look beyond the social housing sector into the private rented sector, and at community-led initiatives.  

Renew is an inquiry, led by the NHC and supported by Homes for the North and Muse, to explore how housing-led regeneration can deliver growth, help tackle the housing crisis, and strengthen communities across the North.  

Publication of the ‘Perspectives on Regeneration’ follows the Renew Call for Evidence, which closed at the end of February. The response received from housing associations and local authorities who submitted evidence represents over 70% of the North’s social housing. The perspectives series aims to set the tone for Renew and encourage conversations, collaboration and debate about housing-led regeneration, while the Call for Evidence submissions are analysed.  

Northern Housing Chief Executive Tracy Harrison said:  

“I’m so grateful to everyone who has contributed to the perspectives on regeneration collection. It has been fantastic working with such a range of voices. This collection sets out what we want to achieve through Renew, the case for regeneration in the North, alongside some inspiring examples of people-centred housing-led regeneration. I hope the perspectives will definitively reset the narrative and change perceptions of regeneration.” 

Chair of Homes for North Paul Fiddaman said:  

“Housing-led regeneration has the potential to transform communities and turn ambition into real, longterm change for people and places. Our research has identified 80 strategic regeneration projects across the North that could deliver around 43,000 homes and unlock £5.2 billion in investment. 

With the right investment — and partners pulling in the same direction — we can improve existing homes, deliver the new affordable housing the region needs, and build thriving communities across the North” 

Managing Director of national placemaker Muse Phil Mayall said:  

“Regeneration has a vital role to play in tackling the housing challenge across the North, not just by delivering new homes, but by strengthening existing communities and creating places where people want to live and stay. 

“These perspectives highlight the importance of long-term partnership, local leadership and community voice in delivering lasting value for places, ensuring no one and nowhere is left behind.”  

The perspectives series is available on the Renew website and includes the following articles: 

Tracy Harrison, Chief Executive of the Northern Housing Consortium: Laying firm foundations for better lives and Northern growth 

Tracy explains how the Renew inquiry is an essential part of the NHC’s vision that everyone has a safe, warm home that’s affordable to them in a place they’re proud of.  

Lord Best OBE DL, an independent Crossbench Member of the House of Lords and Chair of the Renew inquiry: A path to renew thousands of homes – and lives – across the North  

Lord Best shares why he is chairing the Renew inquiry. He wants to make sure there is full recognition of the case for improving the lives of those living in highly unsatisfactory homes and environments – alongside developing new homes.   

Regeneration specialist Ed Ferrari: The challenge for Renew  

Ed challenges Renew to build a compelling case for housing-led regeneration by highlighting the social, economic and political benefits, learning from the past and identifying specific challenges in the North.    

Paul Fiddaman, Chair of Homes for the North and Group Chief Executive of Karbon Homes: Regeneration means more and better homes 

Paul shares Homes for the North’s findings about the need for and benefits of housing-led regeneration in the North. He discusses how regeneration complements development of new homes, and ways regeneration can be supported at scale.   

Phil Mayall, Managing Director at national place maker Muse: Working together to deliver regeneration 

Phil looks at the ingredients needed to make regeneration a success including partnership working and community trust built through delivering visible results.   

Charlie Norman, Chief Executive of MSV Housing and Chair of the Northern Housing Consortium and Nick Atkin, Chief Executive of Yorkshire Housing: The opportunity of devolution 

Charlie and Nick believe that that devolution offers a massive opportunity. They argue a dedicated, locally administered funding pot for housing regeneration would be transformative. It would allow regions to target investment where it will have the greatest impact and drive long term regeneration 

Andrew Cooper MP for Mid Cheshire,Chair of the Renew Westminster Group and member of the Housing, Communities and Local Government Select Committee: Regeneration means delivering for northern communities

Andrew Cooper MP for sets out how housing-led regeneration gives Government the opportunity to connect national objectives – growth, opportunity, and fairness – with the everyday places where people live their lives.  

Pat Ritchie, Chair of Homes England: Housing-led regeneration as a driver of delivery and growth

Pat shares how Homes England is ready to work as part of strong partnerships to bring confidence and long-term change to areas. 

Dr Michael Birkett, Chief Executive of the Regenda Group: Grove Street and the case for housing-led renewal 

Dr Michael shares learning from Liverpool’s Grove Street regeneration project. He says regeneration is about more than replacing old homes, it’s about renewing opportunity, restoring pride and building the conditions for long-term prosperity.  

Cedric Boston, Chief Executive Officer of Unity Homes and Enterprise: Putting people at the heart of Renew 

Cedric shares a different approach to regeneration talking about how Unity’s two main divisions, Unity Housing and Unity Enterprise, work together to provide a launchpad for people to transform their life chances. 

Lara Joyce, Secretary of the Gleadless Valley Tenants and Residents Association: Rebuilding trust, connection and ambition in Gleadless Valley

Lara shares how a ‘Resident Power’ approach to the regeneration of Gleadless Valley has built trust and established an important community role in the future of the area. 

Adam Costello, Magenta Customer Community Committee Member: Listening, learning, and leading: putting residents at the heart of social housing regeneration

 Adam shares key principles for Renew to make sure improving homes and neighbourhoods is truly community-led. 

Carla Keegans, Housing Consultant: The essential role of the PRS in regenerating the North  

Carla shares her views on issues in the private rented sector, and why the sector must be at front of mind when planning regeneration. Carla founded The Ethical Lettings Agency in Redcar in Teeside in 2015.  

Paula Graves, Community-Led Housing Manager: Community-led regeneration in East Marsh 

Paula sets out how East Marsh in Grimsby has been transformed by residents through a community-led movement.  

The next steps for Renew include publication of an interim report in the summer, which will analyse responses to the Call for Evidence, and a series of tours visiting regeneration sites across the North.  

To find out more about Renew and to read the perspectives visit the Renew website.