NFA Annual Conference 2026
Thursday 4 June
Renewing council housing: Fit for the future
Keynote & plenary conference speakers:
Gavin Smart
Chief Executive, Chartered Insitute of Housing
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.
Mark Easton
Senior Fellow at the National Centre for Social Research/Former BBC Home Editor
Mark Easton joined the National Centre for Social Research (NatCen) in 2025 as a Senior Fellow. Before joining NatCen, he was the Home Editor for BBC News, broadcasting on national television and radio.
His writing and presenting credits include The Happiness Formula on BBC Two in 2006 and The Crime of Our Lives for BBC Radio 4 in 2007.
Mark’s first book, Britain etc., was published in 2012. His second book Islands: Searching for truth on the shoreline was published in October 2022. In previous roles, he has been the social affairs editor at Channel 4 News and political editor at Channel 5 News.
Alistair McIntosh
HQN Founder and Chief Executive
Alistair McIntosh is one of the social housing sector’s most respected and best known personalities.
As founder and chief executive of HQN, he is
regarded as one of the foremost advisers on governance and regulation, specialising in VfM and stress testing. His hands on approach sees Alistair leading on all HQN’s in-depth assessment mock exercises and support work, designing and running the popular Iron Grip sessions and chairing/speaking at conferences and events.
Career highlights include: Setting up and running the National Federation of ALMOs, leading the popular consultation on the regulatory standards for housing and developing an approach to VfM that won praise from the housing minister.
A regular contributor to the housing press, Alistair’s columns are known for their humorous, pointed and painfully accurate assessment of the state of social housing
Since its inception, HQN has built up a membership of more than 1,000 housing associations, local authorities and ALMOs across its networks.
Further speakers to follow......
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