Ten years on from the publication of the Scottish Government's Firm Foundations "discussion document", in which it expressed its aspiration for the building of 35,000 new homes per annum from 2015, the sixth Homes for Scotland Annual Conference will take a hard hitting look at where the industry is now, where it goes next and how it will get there.
As well as examining the risks, challenges and opportunities the external environment poses, the conference will also challenge the home building industry to reflect on itself and consider what could be done differently or better.
Programme
Session One: Firm Foundations
Opening Remarks
David Henderson
Business Correspondent, BBC Scotland
Message from the Chief Executive
Nicola Barclay
Chief Executive, Homes for Scotland
Keynote: Firm Foundations 10 Years On
Angela Constance MSP
Cabinet Secretary for Communities,
Social Security and Equalities
Session Two: Looking Outward
Market Economics & Performance
At a time of significant uncertainty and possible structural economic change, this segment aims to provide perspectives on the challenging environment the sector will be operating within over this next period.
It will also provide insights into the drivers and potential market levers that could ease housing pressure and provide opportunities for growth.
Taking Back Control - The Housing Market in Scotland is in Our Own Hands
Ross Martin
Economic Agitator
New Build Mortgages – Back to the Future
Douglas Cochrane
Head of Housing Development, Lloyds Banking Group
Scotland's Residential and New Homes Market: Challenges and Opportunities
Faisal Choudhry
Director, Scottish Research, Savills
Panel: Planning & Infrastructure
For better or worse, significant change is expected to the Scottish planning system. But how do we take it beyond a mere numbers game and how can we position housing as a key element of infrastructure delivery?
This panel discussion will address the proposals of the current planning review. It will also consider some of the most talked about alternative models that could transform how housing is delivered in Scotland.
Confirmed panel speakers:
Ken Gibb - UK Collaborative Centre for Housing Evidence
Nicola Woodward - Lichfields
Thomas Aubrey - Centre for Progressive Capitalism
Matthew Benson - Rettie & Co
Jonathan Guthrie - Robertson Group
Session Three: Looking Inward
Skills Innovation & Productivity
Stephen Good
Chief Executive, Construction Scotland Innovation Centre
Panel: Skills, Innovation & Productivity
Looking inward, we will ask a panel of experts what proactively can be done to increase innovation and productivity within the sector.
Discussion will also reflect upon the skills challenge as well as the disruptive technologies that may offer solutions to the sector over the long-term.
Confirmed Panel Speakers:
Stephen Good - Construction Scotland Innovation Centre
Ross Martin - Economic Agitator
Steve Smith - Pixel Image Ltd
John Forster - Forster Group
Jim MacDonald - Architecture & Design Scotland
Panel: Industry Perceptions
In this segment we ask why it seems so difficult to write a positive news story on home building or a new development?
Two key commentators will share their views as to why home building can be such a negative news story and ask how the perception of new development can be transformed.
Confirmed Panel Speakers:
Richard Neville - Editor-in-Chief, The Courier and Press & Journal
Alex Orr - Managing Director, Orbit Communications
Session Four: Looking Ahead
Panel: Our Housing Futures
Rounding off the day, we ask housing spokespersons from each of the main political parties to give us their views on how they would address Scotland's home building challenge.
Confirmed Guests:
Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP - Lib Dems
Andy Wightman MSP - Greens
Graham Simpson MSP - Conservative
Kevin Stewart MSP - SNP
Pauline McNeill MSP - Labour
Closing Remarks
David Henderson
Business Correspondent, BBC Scotland
Networking: enjoy a cocktail (or mocktail) following the conference and chat to our team, industry colleagues and sponsors.
Turn up your volume to hear from HFS Chief Executive Nicola Barclay on what to expect from this year's conference
