TAI 2025

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.

Born and brought up in Newport, Jayne Bryant was elected as the assembly member for Newport West in 2016. Jayne was appointed chair of the Standards of Conduct Committee in the Fifth Senedd, and also sat on the Health, Social Care and Sport Committee and the Climate Change, Environment and Rural Affairs committee. Re-elected in 2021, Jayne was nominated to chair the Children, Young People and Education Committee in this Sixth Senedd and also sat on the Special Purpose Committee on Senedd Reform and the Local Government and Housing Committee. Jayne has also chaired Cross-Party Groups on Diabetes, Preventing Child Sexual Abuse, Arts and Health and Suicide Prevention and acted as vice chair for the Cross-Party Groups on Dementia and Intergenerational Solidarity. All her working life Jayne has tried to help advocate and support people and is particularly passionate about encouraging young people to be active and interested in politics, believing politics matters and young people must be at the heart of it. Jayne was appointed minister for mental health and early years on 21 March 2024. On 11 September 2024, Jayne was appointed cabinet secretary for housing and local government.

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 is a director in the residential research team at Savills. She manages the thought leadership program, primarily focusing on the housing development pipeline and planning policy, and mainstream market forecasts. Her recent work has included the development of green premiums, the new homes market after the end of help to buy and the impact of planning policy on land supply.

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.

Sarah Cullen leads the Building Safety Policy Reform Team in Welsh Government. The team are currently working on a Building Safety (Wales) Bill to reform the regulation of multi-occupied residential buildings in Wales. Sarah’s professional background includes a breadth of experience, both as a lawyer and regulator.

Douglas is a director of the National Residential Landlords Association which represents nearly 100,000 private landlords across England and Wales as well as the Managing Director of the Seraph Group which manages, sells and develops properties across Wales and parts of England. He is a chartered surveyor and has been involved in policy making for the private rented sector since 2008. He is also a private landlord and a Scotland rugby fan (for some reason).

Alan has been CEO of Bron Afon Community Housing since 2017 and has recently joined the Board of Community Housing Cymru. He has worked at a senior level within the housing sector for many years, mostly in England, but with spells in Scotland and previously in Wales. He remains as passionate about the work we do in housing as ever.

Helen joined Taff in August 2019. Having started her housing career working in tenant participation she remains passionate about making sure the needs of tenants and communities are central to how services are designed and delivered. Helen spends her spare time paddle boarding or watching her two young sons trying out new tricks at various local skate parks.

As part of TPAS Cymru, David is focused on ensuring tenants' voices are heard in the big housing issues. It doesn't get any bigger than Retrofit. David will set out why Retrofit is different from other initiatives and how tenants will determine the success of this multi-billion pound programme.

More information coming soon.

Karen is a lay observer for the Ministry of Justice, a governor of Gower College Swansea and a member of the CIH Wales board and Welsh Housing Education Forum. Karen is a mentor, working with individuals within and outside the housing sector. She is a passionate advocate of parkrun and loves her long distance walking, running and cycling challenges.

Jason became chief executive at Newydd Group in October 2020. In 2024, Newydd Group changed its name to Cadarn Housing Group which consists of Cadwyn HA and Newydd HA. Before becoming chief executive, Jason worked as housing director at Newydd Housing Association since 2003. Prior to this, he worked at a number of Welsh housing organisations including Torfaen County Borough Council, Family Housing Association, Newydd (again) and Glamorgan and 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.

Douglas is a director of the National Residential Landlords Association which represents nearly 100,000 private landlords across England and Wales as well as the Managing Director of the Seraph Group which manages, sells and develops properties across Wales and parts of England. He is a chartered surveyor and has been involved in policy making for the private rented sector since 2008. He is also a private landlord and a Scotland rugby fan (for some reason).

I joined the Welsh parliament in 2002, and have enjoyed a variety of roles within the communication and engagement teams, including leading the events team to manage national, high profile events at the Senedd such as official openings of parliament and Olympic Homecoming events. I’m currently the manager of the Welsh Youth Parliament which ensures the young people of Wales have a voice on a national platform on the issues that matter most to them.

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.

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.

More information coming soon.

Robin began his career in housing management followed by roles in supporting the establishment of housing co-operatives. He has worked at a senior level in housing associations, regulation and local government – the latter covering social care and public protection as well as housing. He joined Welsh Government in 2022 as project lead for the council house building scale and pace project. Robin is a trustee of Tai Pawb and a school governor.

Sarah Dunkerley CIHM has been the director of professional development at the Chartered Institute of Housing since April 2019. With a passion for vocational education and professional development, throughout her career Sarah has been involved in delivering, developing and quality assuring qualifications and standards across a range of occupational areas – from energy efficiency to procurement and supply. Prior to joining CIH, Sarah held various roles in the further education, awarding and professional body sector, always striving to achieve valuable opportunities for individuals to improve and progress in their career.

Sarah is an experienced CFO and NED, and is the founder and Director of Redyn Consulting. She trained as an FCA with PwC and thas held senior leadership roles in a number of Welsh housing associations, most recently at Valleys to Coast, where she was CFO. She is an experienced NED. In March 2023 she took up a role as Chief Operating Officer with Be First Regeneration who aim to build 50,000 homes.

More information coming soon.

Paul is chair at South Liverpool Homes and a CIH Cymru board member. Chief executive of North Wales Housing from 2000-2016, he was CIH president in 2007-2008, a member of National Council for many years and served on CIH governing board from 2018-2021.