A ‘deep dive’ into the world of financial covenants in the social housing sector, looking at what financial covenants are, their function and how housing associations can make financial covenants work better for their organisation.
The session will include insight and real-life examples from both Anthony Collins and Savills Financial Consultants who between them have a wealth of experience in ‘all things financial covenant’: from drafting, negotiating and agreeing financial covenants, to testing, certifying and amending financial covenants, through to breaches and waivers of financial covenants and remedial action in respect of the same.
Who should attend?
Finance Directors and Treasury Teams
Speakers
Alex Morgan, Director, Savills Financial Consultants
Jon Coane, Partner, Anthony Collins
Michael Nutman, Senior Associate, Anthony Collins
2024 was a huge year for governance and regulation in housing. The introduction of new consumer standards and a transformed regulatory inspection regime and grading system (including new consumer grading) in England heralded the biggest changes to regulation for two decades.
2025 already has the potential to match this, with the introduction of Awaab’s Law, the Competency and Conduct Standard, Decent Homes 2 and potential changes both to rent policy and future capital funding.
In this session, we will explore what 2025 will hold for Boards and governance teams alike and what they need to do to prepare themselves and ensure Boards and executive teams are fully sighted on the future landscape.
Who should attend?
Company secretaries, heads of governance, heads of legal and executive directors
Speakers
Peter Hubbard, managing partner
Sarah Patrice, partner
Emma Hardman, partner
Catherine Simpson, senior associate
Fraud is on the rise across the housing sector (as in society generally) and housing providers are reporting more sophisticated and devious attempts to scam and defraud them, oftentimes successfully.
In this session, we’ll hear from James Tickell of Campbell Tickell. James is one of the sector’s foremost experts on governance and regulation and will be talking about what organisations need to do to protect themselves against the risk of fraud. We will also discuss how to respond should an attempt be made, with a specific focus on governance and the role boards play.
Who should attend?
Company secretaries, heads of governance, heads of legal and executive directors
Speakers
Victoria Jardine, partner
James Tickell, partner at Campbell Tickell
In our second webinar on international recruitment, we are again partnering with BA Healthcare to look at the key issues around international recruitment. We will look at these issues practically, enabling organisations to feel confident if they are already recruiting internationally or satisfied in stepping into international recruitment for the first time. We will cover:
- Key preparations for recruitment – including sponsor licences
- Salary thresholds – what has changed?
- Avoiding commonly made mistakes
- Attracting high-calibre international staff
- Best practice
- Looking ahead
There will also be an opportunity to ask questions about your international recruitment concerns.
Who should attend?
Anyone who is involved in HR within their organisation at all levels.
Speakers
The Law Commission has launched a consultation into proposed changes to the law governing co-operative and community benefit societies. Some of these changes will have a direct impact on housing providers that are community benefit societies in particular. You can learn more by reading our latest blog post, which covers the consultation in more detail.
With only three weeks until the consultation closes, it’s crucial that organisations respond to the consultation but at over 200 pages and almost 90 questions long, it can be challenging for organisations to know where to start.
In this session, our experts will summarise the key areas of the consultation you need to be aware of and suggest how you can respond efficiently and effectively. Specimen responses will be available to attendees following the session.
Who should attend?
Company secretaries, heads of governance, heads of legal
Speakers
Peter Hubbard, managing partner
Victoria Jardine, partner
Catherine Simpson, senior associate
As part of our popular annual housing management update series, this session will cover an update on Awaab’s law. Our housing litigation team will explore sections 9A and 10 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985, give an update on recent case law and share tips and tricks on expert evidence. They will also provide updates on disrepair case law.
Who should attend?
All those involved in defending disrepair claims
Speakers
Suzanne Gregson, partner
Bethan Jones, associate
Kabita Akhtar, solicitor
Khalida Qureshi, solicitor
Ammaarah Jaigirdar, solicitor
Rabiya Khan, solicitor
The Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 (the Act) was the last act to be introduced before the dissolution of Parliament ahead of the 2024 General Election. The majority of the Act is still to come into force, however it is expected that the Labour Government will enforce the Act and push through further reforms.
This webinar will examine the provisions of the Act which are applicable to stock-owning local authorities (or those managing freehold estates). We will explain the new legal requirements, changes to existing legislation and how this can be applied in practice (it should be noted that many provisions anticipate the introduction of regulations containing details for operation).
This will provide key information for local authorities to prepare for the introduction of the majority of provisions under the Act and identify changes that will be made to policies, procedures, strategies and internal operations.
There will also be an opportunity for questions at the end of the webinar.
Speakers
Emma Hardman, partner
Penny Bournes, associate
Who should attend?
All members of the LBLA framework are welcome to attend.
The Regulator of Social Housing has been conducting the new-style regulatory inspections of registered providers, including deciding on the new C1 to C4 consumer ratings, since 1 April 2024. After a range of published C1 to C3 gradings, Kate Dodsworth will provide her insights on what has been learnt from these early inspections and how RPs can best prepare for their own forthcoming inspections.
Who should attend?
Company secretaries, heads of governance, heads of legal and executive directors
Speakers
Kate Dodsworth, chief of regulatory engagement for the Regulator of Social Housing
Sarah Patrice, partner
The first step in preparing for a crisis is understanding that at some point throughout an organisation’s lifetime, it is likely to be affected by a crisis of a serious nature. Crises could be safety/safeguarding concerns, serious complaints or dealing with a fatality. Organisations need to understand the risks surrounding their operations, where things can go wrong and how to effectively respond to this. Most importantly, the process of planning and preparing to respond to a crisis can assist in developing a safety-first culture that can be very effective in preventing serious incidents from occurring.
Executive teams and boards will want to reflect on their internal processes in responding to various types of crises, building on lessons learned from any previous incidents. As usual, we will also break into small groups to share our peers’ experiences/concerns and any lessons learned from this.
Who should attend?
Company secretaries, heads of governance, heads of legal and executive directors
SLT for regulatory, risk and compliance, health and safety and/or quality assurance.
Speakers
Victoria Jardine, partner
Tim Coolican, partner
Elizabeth Massey, solicitor
In our anti-social behaviour and possession update, we will cover the new Renters Rights Bill, new case law and any other regulatory updates.
This session will cover:
- The impact of the Renters Rights Bill on possession processes
- Relevant learning from the Regulator of Social Housing and the Housing Ombudsman
- New and relevant case law
Who should attend?
All those involved in tackling anti-social behaviour or taking possession proceedings, or those who are responsible for policy in relation to possession and the Renters Rights Act changes.
Speakers
Members of the housing litigation team