Housing Cymru Conference 2026
Now in its fourth year, the Housing Cymru Conference continues to unite housing stakeholders and suppliers from across Wales to accelerate progress on retrofit, building good quality, low carbon homes, and improving energy efficiency within the housing stock. This year’s programme will focus on the scale of the opportunity and for the need for knowledge, a robust supply chain and a skilled workforce.
It’s also a chance to renew cross-sector partnerships, foster new collaborations, and share best practice—ensuring that the collective strength of the housing community drives the delivery of a future-fit housing programme
Interested in the Event?
Event Speakers.
Event Schedule.
08.00 – 09.30 – Registration, networking and drinks
09.30 – 09.45 – Sian Gwenlliad – Cabinet Minister for Local Government, Housing and Planning – Welsh Government – invited
09.45 – 10.10 – RSL Iwan Trefor Jones – Group Chief Executive – Adra
10.10 – 10.50 – Panel discussion – how to develop a skills set to deliver future projects
- Nigel Donohue – Chief Executive – Installation Assurance Authority (IAA)
- Stuart Black – NFRC Regional Manager (South Western England & Wales)
- Daniel White – Market Development Director – Microgeneration Certification Scheme
- Andrew Hutchins – Chair of the Electrical Contractor Association
10.50 – 11.45 – Refreshments and networking
11.45 – 12.00 – David Castle – National Key Account Manager – Triton Showers
12.05 – 12.20 – Dr Sam Collier – Policy & Research Manager – Aico
12.20 – 12.55 – Panel discussion – Healthy Homes
- Jade Lewis – Chief Executive – Jade Advocacy
- Beth Underwood – Strategic & Operational Planning – Cwn Taf Morgannwg UHB
- Emma Blackmore – Director of Client Engagement – iOpt
- Olga Turner Baker – Director – Ekisst
12.55 – 13.05 – Daniel Brindle – Senior Business Development Manager – Energy Angels
13.05 – 14.30 – Lunch and networking
14.30 – 14.45 – Pete McBride – Sales Director – Mixergy
14.45 – 15.00 – Andy Farquhar – Head of Heat Pump Product Management – Ideal Heating
15.00 – 15.15 – Graham Turnbull – Partner – Reinvigoration
15.15 – 15.45 – Panel discussion – The role technology will play in shaping the future
- Alex Freeman – Partnership Manager – Insta Group
- Helen Roach – Project Manager – Warm Wales
15.45 – 16.00 – Nathan Manley – Senior Business Development Manager – SWIP
Event Sponsors.
Headline Sponsor
Lanyard Sponsor
Thought Leaders
Exhibitors
In Attendance
Nick Abbott
Sustainability Lead
Codi Group
After starting in a local government finance role, Nick moved into Contract Management while working for a Council in North Yorkshire. Following relocation to Wales, he worked as Procurement Officer for a big unitary authority before moving into a Procurement Management role in housing. Nick joined Linc in February 2020 and he is responsible for management and oversight of procurement, contracting and utilities.
Nick is Project Lead for Cartrefi Hydrogen Homes, a cutting edge collaborative project involving Linc that secured Welsh Government Optimised RetroFit grant funding to deliver a retrofit hydrogen demonstrator home.
In addition to his day job, Nick is Chair of the Welsh Procurement Alliance and Non-Executive Director and Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee for LHC Procurement Group Ltd.
Ruth Marie Mackrodt
Director
Wool Insulation Wales Ltd
Ruth Marie is based in North Pembrokeshire. She has a financial, property and construction background with a strong commercial credentials. For the first 16 years of her career she worked in finance focussing on credit and property investment. She then worked as an advisor to a number of private families advising on the asset allocation and debt structuring of their commercial property portfolios with an emphasis on development and also as Commercial Director of a London based construction company. She is a co-founder and Director of Wool Insulation Wales Ltd, makers of Truewool ® and is passionate about helping the construction industry reduce embodied carbon and promoting circular economy materials.
Stuart Black
NFRC Regional Manager
(South Western England and Wales)
Stuart Black is the Regional Manager for the National Federation of Roofing Contractors (NFRC), responsible for supporting members and the wider construction industry across South Western England and Wales. With extensive experience in the roofing and construction industry, Stuart is dedicated to promoting best practices, ensuring compliance with industry standards, and building strong relationships within the sector. His role focuses on providing guidance on technical standards, health and safety, and sustainability initiatives, while championing NFRC’s mission to raise professionalism and quality across the roofing industry.
Akshita Lakhiwal
Net Zero Engagement Officer
TPAS Cymru
Akshita leads and delivers the tenant experience within the Net Zero agenda. Her role focuses on identifying best practices and amplifying the tenant voice for building a more environmentally responsible future for Wales.