Leading law firm Hugh James is bringing together housing leaders, legal experts and industry specialists for its annual Housing Week, taking place from 9–13 November 2026.
Under the theme ‘Building for Growth’, the five-day programme will examine what organisations in the housing sector need in order to deliver sustainable growth amid increasing pressure on supply, communities, workforces and leadership teams.
Combining exclusive in-person events with online discussions and practical insight, Housing Week will explore the people, projects and strategic decisions shaping housing delivery over the next decade, and the legal and operational factors which could support or challenge those ambitions.
The week will bring together representatives from the Welsh Government, housing associations, SME housebuilders and PLC developers – as well as a blend of architectural, planning, valuation consultants and local authority decision-makers – in person to make connections and have valuable discussions around working together to solve Wales’ housing crisis.
Programme:
Monday 9 November
- ‘Growing your workforce sustainably’ (online) with Louise Price, Head of Employment & HR Services, and Caroline Belasco of Beacon Cymru.
Tuesday 10 November
- ‘Growing supply with confidence’ (in-person) in collaboration with Savills, featuring the launch of the latest Welsh Housing Market Outlook Report with live panel discussion hosted by Caroline O’Flaherty, Partner and Head of Social Housing.
- Exploring Plaid Cymru’s planning proposals (online) fireside chat with Alex Madden, Partner and Head of Planning.
Wednesday 11 November
- ‘Growing community and cohesion’ (in person), with sessions covering mental capacity and support for tenants with disabilities, safeguarding, homelessness and the implications of the Crime and Policing Act 2026 for housing providers.
Thursday 12 November
- ‘Growing safely’ (online) the construction law update with Matthew Stevens, Head of Construction, Infrastructure and Projects.
How housing associations can safely deliver more homes (online) fireside chat with Matthew Stevens.
Friday 13 November
- ‘Leading growth with confidence’ (online) with Harriet Morgan, Partner in Commercial Property, Auriol Miller, Chief Executive at Cynon Taf, and Jason Wroe, Interim Chief Executive at First Choice Housing Association.
- Insight from Liz Fletcher, Head of Procurement at Hugh James, on the Commercial Payments Bill and what it could mean for housing providers and their supply chains.
Caroline O’Flaherty, Partner and Head of Social Housing, said:
“The housing sector is under immense pressure. Organisations are being asked to deliver more, at pace, at a time when the environment in which they operate is becoming increasingly complex.
“But growth is not simply about building more homes. It means having the right workforce and leadership in place, creating strong and sustainable communities, managing risk effectively and making confident long-term decisions about development and investment.
“With more than 40 years’ experience advising the housing sector – from planning to construction and beyond – we understand both the scale of its ambition and the practical challenges involved in delivering it. Housing Week is an opportunity to bring together expertise and perspectives from across the sector and have practical conversations about what sustainable growth really looks like.”
Housing Week 2026 runs from 9–13 November. Further information on the programme, access to online events and expressions of interest for the in-person sessions are available at www.hughjames.com/hj-housing-week/.
