Independent East – a collaborative alliance of five community-focused housing associations in the East of England – hosted its biennial conference at Trinity Park in Ipswich.

The event welcomed board members, residents, and local authority stakeholders, aiming to foster collaboration and innovation within the housing sector while providing a platform for open dialogue, idea-sharing and collective problem-solving.

The conference featured renowned speakers, including Jonathon Walters, Deputy Chief Executive of the Regulator for Social Housing, and Kate Henderson, CEO of the National Housing Federation.

Jonathon Walters shared insights and answered questions on current challenges and opportunities in the sector, while Kate Henderson spoke on the new government’s priorities, emphasising its commitment to affordable housing following the recent budget. Their contributions helped spark meaningful conversations among attendees.

Attendees also heard from Michael Appleby, Managing Director of Altair Consulting, on the potential of Artificial Intelligence in housing. Additionally, representatives from Havebury Housing Partnership and Saffron Housing Trust presented their experiences under the new regulatory regime, both achieving the highest compliance rating, C1, following recent expectations – showcasing their commitment to meeting new consumer standards.

The CEOs of the five Independent East member organisations expressed their excitement:

"We are thrilled with the success of this conference. The exchange of ideas and collective drive to solutions was truly inspiring. We thank all out speakers who generously shared their expertise with us. The day underscored the importance of collaboration between customers and board members in driving positive change in the housing sector. We look forward to continuing these discussions and working together to enhance housing outcomes for all."

About Independent East

Independent East consists of Broadland Housing, Freebridge Community Housing, Havebury Housing Partnership, Saffron Housing Trust, and Orwell Housing Association.

This alliance was formed to share insights and best practises, continuously improving services and enriching the lives of tenants across Norfolk and Suffolk. Their shared vision includes mutual support, shared knowledge, and exploring opportunities for collective action to better serve local communities.