More than 150 partners and representatives found themselves looking 20 years into the future as well as reflecting on past achievements at the annual bpha Stakeholders Conference last Friday.
In a joint celebration of the 20th anniversary of bpha, delegates were treated to presentations from Chief Executive John Cross and Chairman Stephen Hallett, along with guest speakers, Matthew Taylor, Chair of the National Housing Federation and Simon Middleton, Brand Strategy Guru.
A theme of the day was achieving and maintaining good customer service, with John Cross reporting increases in customer satisfaction levels, growth and viability in spite of the current market conditions. Meanwhile, Simon Middleton delivered a lively presentation on building a successful brand and Stephen Hallett discussed some of the challenges ahead for housing in the next 20 years and how bpha plans to overcome these.
Keynote speaker Matthew Taylor, Chair of the NHF delivered a passionate address to the audience about the key role housing has in meeting the needs of communities and individuals - unlocking potential, and cutting long term health, unemployment and social problems. “ The Government need to recognise the value of decent homes extends beyond the very important support they provide individual tenants, to wider social benefits including reducing the costs to government of ill health, anti-social behaviours, joblessness and much more. Just because the government balance sheet is in the red does not always mean that cutting back is the right thing to do if it will create greater expenditure in the longer term. The National Housing Federation understand the problems the Government face financially - and stand ready to work with them to get the right solutions to solve those problems in ways that meet long term needs and deliver value for money, not just short term cuts at the expense of long term pain."
Answering questions from the floor after explaining how the Governments political priorities may be changing as Grant Shapps is now engaging with the NHF on the wider issues surrounding affordable housing and the impact this has on delivering the ‘Big Society’. Matthew Taylor added: "Having recently met the Housing Minister Grant Shapps, he seems to be recognising that greater discussion and understanding has to be sought before chopping housing funds and grants, and changing planning rules in ways that make it harder to deliver vitally needed housing. At least the door is open, and the NHF will certainly make the voice of housing associations - and our tenants and those in housing need – heard loud and clear. And I know that the excellence shown by organisations like bpha will help us win that case"
John Cross spoke of the future: “Efficiency and effectiveness are continuing to be key business ingredients going forward but alone they won’t deliver success. They have to be underpinned by clear vision, values, behaviours and delivered by a team of great people making the right decisions. I believe we are getting there but we have to keep striving, challenging ourselves, adapting, listening and responding to our customers needs. It is about continuing the cultural shift for us.”
Stephen Hallett continued: “The next 20 years have the potential to be quite challenging for the housing sector. We must be prepared for this and ensure that we are equipped with the skills needed to continue to be a significant and innovative provider of affordable homes.”
Attendees included local councillors, housing developers and membership bodies, along with bpha tenants, all of whom are part of bpha’s various resident involvement initiatives.
One of the residents attending, Norman Froggatt commented: “It was a very interesting event and a real learning experience for me. I think it’s great that bpha includes residents to this degree, not just in the customer-facing side but in what goes on behind the scenes as well. I really appreciate being involved.”