TAI 2024

Jonathan works for Tai Tarian in Neath Port Talbot. After starting his professional career in law, Jonathan became interested in the growing movement of Local Authorities transferring their council housing to new community owned housing associations. He began work, with others, on strategies and policies tools to capture the investment raised by transfer, ensuring that the investment remains within the local community. This led to working within the Welsh Government’s i2i team. His current work centres on the facilitation of local job opportunities, the foundational economy and ensuring that partnerships maximise the investment available for the benefit of local communities. He is chair of CIH Cymru.

Matt took his current role armed with a breadth of knowledge of the Welsh policy landscape following 17 years of working as a senior communicator at the heart of Welsh civic and political life. He joined the National Assembly for Wales (now Welsh parliament) as its head of news. He transformed the Welsh Parliament’s media operation into the modern multi-platform, multi-media function you see today.

Sue James is the Regional Specification Manager for South Wales, providing a consultative role to advise on home life safety products, legislative and regulatory requirements and delivering Aico’s Fire Industry Association accredited Expert Installer training, striving to create safer homes.

Julie James was appointed deputy minister for skills and technology in September 2014. In May 2016 Julie was appointed as minister for skills and science. Julie was appointed leader of the House and chief whip on 3 November 2017. On 13 December 2018 Julie was appointed minister for housing and local government. Julie was appointed minister for climate change on 13 May 2021.

Matt took his current role armed with a breadth of knowledge of the Welsh policy landscape following 17 years of working as a senior communicator at the heart of Welsh civic and political life. He joined the National Assembly for Wales (now Welsh parliament) as its head of news. He transformed the Welsh Parliament’s media operation into the modern multi-platform, multi-media function you see today.

Emily has been part of the Savills Residential Research team since 2011, analysing all aspects of the housing market, with a particular focus on planning, development and sustainability.

Gavin Smart CIHCM is chief executive at the Chartered Institute of Housing. Prior to joining CIH, Gavin was assistant director of research and futures at the National Housing Federation from 2004 to 2012. Born in Cardiff, Gavin studied public administration at the Polytechnic of Wales and then gained an MSc in sociology at the University of Bristol, where he worked as a research associate on projects for the Department of the Environment, Housing Corporation, Scottish Office and local authorities.

Gaynor is Head of Housing and Public Protection in Pembrokeshire County Council. She has worked in local government for over 30 years in various roles across housing, public protection and health improvement services. In her current role she is strategic housing lead covering the social landlord functions, affordable housing development, homelessness, allocations and private sector housing.

Claire is Operations Director for North Wales Housing. Claire has worked in the housing sector in North Wales for the majority of her career, holding a range of roles giving her strategic experience across key areas including Supported Housing, Older Persons Housing, Housing Management, Repairs and Maintenance Services and Customer Services.

Cerys Clark is the policy and public affairs manager for CIH Cymru. Cerys has a background in local authority work from frontline homelessness to housing strategy and policy work. She is currently undertaking a PhD looking into early intervention and prevention of rough sleeping in Wales at Cardiff Metropolitan University.

Following a decade working in the Domestic Abuse sector, Hannah joined the Welsh Government in 2013 to develop the Violence Against Women, Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence Act. Since then she has worked across a range of social justice policies including the Anti-Racist Wales Plan and a Period Proud Wales. Hannah moved to the Local Government, Housing, Climate Change and Rural Affairs group in 2022 to lead on the White Paper on ending homelessness in Wales.

With a background in Statistics and Research, Darren joined the Welsh Government in 2010 and has worked in housing since 2018. Within housing, Darren worked on the Innovative Housing Programme before becoming Head of Housing Standards.

I'm tenant who's passionate about housing, from the tenant's point of view. I use my voice to show how decisions impact tenants, and how important it is to include us at all levels

Geoff is lead officer for Community Housing at Denbighshire County Council in North Wales. He has worked in the housing sector since graduating in housing studies in 1991. He has worked for local authorities and RSL’s in North Wales and the North West of England. Geoff is currently a CIH Cymru board member.

Lucy has worked within the housing industry for 13 years, both in the private sector and within education. In her current role,she is very fortunate enough to work alongside housing providers across Wales supporting the cornerstone of any organisation, it’s people. She has seen first-hand the impact that investment in people has on individuals, organisations and Contract Holders, who are at the heart of what they do.

Gareth has worked at Cartrefi Conwy for 6 years where he currently leads delivering strategic projects alongside the senior leadership team. He is also Chair of the CIH Housing Futures Cymru panel and a member of the UK-wide CIH Futures board. He is driven by always looking to improve the way we do things and ultimately make a difference for the people he works with.

Nia Court has worked at Hafod Housing Association for nearly 6 years, prior to this she worked in a variety of HR roles across many sectors including, utilities, retail and hospitality. In her role as Head of People Nia has responsibility for all HR, Learning and Development and Recruitment activity across Hafod.

Elly Hoult is Group Director of Assets and Sustainability at Notting Hill Genesis (NHG), focusing on compliance, sustainability, strategic asset investment and energy provision. Prior to this role, Elly led the integration process post-merger of Notting Hill and Genesis, also worked at Orbit Group and A2Dominion Group. She is a Governing Board Member at the Chartered Institute of Housing and a representative on the sounding board for the new Decent Homes Standard. Elly is a champion of diversity and sits on the National Housing Federation EDI steering group.

Jason became Chief Executive at Newydd Housing Association in October 2020, having been Housing Director at Newydd since 2003. Previously to this, he worked at a number of Welsh housing organisations including Torfaen County Borough Council, Family Housing Association and Glamorgan & Gwent Housing Association. Jason is currently a Board member of CIH Cymru. In respect of free time, Jason much prefers two wheels than four, and prefers sliding down a hill than walking

Mabon ap Gwynfor takes an interest in a wide range of areas, including international issues relating to peace and the relationship between states; and the rights of communities and people. Mabon established the North Wales Health Alliance in 2013. He was co-organiser of the national Wales for peace festival from 2004 to 2006. Mabon is a Christian. He is an amateur fine artist, and takes an interest in photography, reading widely, and playing with his children. Mabon graduated from the University of Wales, Bangor with a BA degree in History. Mabon's professional background is in the media and project management. Mabon was elected as a Town Councillor in Aberystwyth in 2004, and as a County Councillor for the Llandrillo ward of Denbighshire County Council in 2017.

Ruth joined Shelter Cymru as CEO in late 2020. She chairs Homes for All Cymru and sits on the Minister for Climate Change's independent advisory board for ending homelessness. She has worked in the advice sector, supported housing and homelessness for charities, RSLs and LAs. Whilst working in criminal justice she led a variety of resettlement pathfinders and held national policy and commissioning roles.

Tim Thomas has been the NRLA Policy Officer for almost two years having previously worked in similar research and policy roles in the private, public and third sector. Tim specialises in Welsh policy for the Private Rented Sector as well as policy around benefits and welfare as well as energy.

Paula has worked for a range of successful housing organisations across England and Wales for over 30 years and took up her current role of Chief Executive of Melin Homes in early 2017. She is a Fellow of the Chartered Insitute of Housing, which she joined as student at the start of her career.

Speaker Information coming soon.

Speaker information coming soon

Councillor Andrea Lewis is the Welsh Local Government Association spokesperson for Housing. Cabinet Member for Service Transformation and Deputy Leader at Swansea Council and represents the Morriston Ward as a County Councillor

Matt took his current role armed with a breadth of knowledge of the Welsh policy landscape following 17 years of working as a senior communicator at the heart of Welsh civic and political life. He joined the National Assembly for Wales (now Welsh parliament) as its head of news. He transformed the Welsh Parliament’s media operation into the modern multi-platform, multi-media function you see today.

Speaker information coming soon

Alicja is the CEO of Tai Pawb, an organisation promoting equality and social justice in housing in Wales. Her previous roles include that of an assistant director of Race Equality First and a researcher for the financial sector. Alicja has worked in the third sector for 16 years. Born and educated in Poland she made Wales her home 19 years ago.

Michelle joined Merthyr Valleys Homes (MHV) in April 2019, having worked for the previous five years as the Chief Executive of Cynon Taf Community Housing Group. Michelle has a wealth of experience across housing, health and social care. She leads based on her values and is a strong advocate of working with people to unleash the power of communities to create and sustain meaningful change.

Speaker information coming soon

Cerys Clark is the policy and public affairs manager for CIH Cymru. Cerys has a background in local authority work from frontline homelessness to housing strategy and policy work. She is currently undertaking a PhD looking into early intervention and prevention of rough sleeping in Wales at Cardiff Metropolitan University.

Cath is a Guinness World Record Holder for the most Southerly Ice Swim, she achieved this record by becoming the first person in the world to swim an ice mile inside the Antarctic Polar circle in February 2020. Her story was captured by the BBC for a documentary about ordinary people achieving extraordinary things, titled “The Merthyr Mermaid” and is available to watch on BBC iPlayer - The Merthyr Mermaid. Cath has always used exercise as a way of helping her to manage her mental health. She discovered her passion for winter/ice swimming in September 2015 and was immediately hooked, since then Cath swims as much as possible and she refers to it as her "Reset Button” and says “to make Cath happy, just add cold water!"