On 22nd October, the third Building Insights LIVE round table focused on social housing management and maintenance was held at the Institute of Directors, 116 Pall Mall, London. The session brought together housing professionals, consultants and the construction supply chain to share practical insight into how the sector is delivering the Warm Homes Plan and addressing the challenge of decarbonising homes at scale.
The discussion centred on the £1.29bn Warm Homes Social Housing Fund, now in its third wave of delivery, and the opportunity it presents to achieve low-energy retrofits on a scale not previously seen. Delegates explored lessons from existing initiatives such as ECO and HUG, examining how fabric-first improvements and changes to heating systems can work together to improve energy efficiency, reduce carbon emissions and deliver long-term benefits for tenants.
A key strength of the round table was the open and candid nature of the conversation. Participants discussed the practical realities of delivery, including the complexity of decision-making, affordability of upgrades, skills and capacity constraints, and the challenges of engaging residents in retrofit programmes. These issues were balanced by examples of successful approaches, highlighting how early planning, clear communication and collaboration across disciplines can help overcome barriers.
With EPC C established as the minimum standard for social housing by 2030, the group agreed that the focus is increasingly shifting towards tackling fuel poverty rather than simply reducing heat demand. This shift brings its own challenges, particularly as many decarbonisation measures require fundamentally different approaches to heating and building management.
The session concluded with a series of forward-looking recommendations, including the need for better alignment of Government policy, more coherent energy pricing and the potential use of digital tools to support asset management and delivery. The round table reinforced the value of practical, experience-led knowledge sharing in helping the sector develop realistic, scalable solutions that can be applied across the UK.
Event Chair:
- Matt Baird, Co-Chair, Spring Housing Association & Director, Avalon Recruitment
Attendees:
- Tania Jennings, Net Zero Carbon Manager, Lewisham Council
- Sue Riddlestone, CEO Bioregional Development Group
- Paul Norman, Director of Asset Strategy, Clarion Housing Group
- Alison Haigh, Associate, Buttress Architects
- Sarah Daly, Head of Strategic Partnerships & Sustainable Communities, Agile Homes
- Richard Ellis, Director of Sustainability, Peabody
- Stephen Tracey, Construction Manager, Wates
- Christian Dimbleby, Head of Sustainability UK, White Arkitekter
- Georgina Sommerville, Managing Director, Green Rose Community Interest Company
- Ruth Dent, Director of Customer & Assets, Re:gen Group
- Elaine Middleton, Board Member, Livin Housing & consultant, The Social Housing Round Table
- Alison Skillen, RISE Project Director, Turner & Townsend
- Kyae Lee, Senior Technical & Sustainability Manager, Legal & General Affordable Homes
- Mark Owen, Business Development Manager, WMS Underfloor Heating
- Graham Collie, Director of Product Innovation, LHC Procurement Group
- Stewart Thompson, National Specification Manager, Intergas Heating
- Ben Smith, Senior Channel Manager (Specification), Mira Showers