This October, step inside the disruptive edge of housing innovation with a conference designed to spark ideas, challenge assumptions, and explore fresh thinking around asset investment, sustainability, and resident wellbeing.

With rising regulatory demands, evolving customer expectations, shifting legislation, and the exponential opportunities of AI, housing providers are entering a new era of service delivery. This event will explore where future-forward thinking needs to go to meet the moment—and shape the future.

Hosted by the Disruptive Innovators Network, this one-day event brings together trailblazers from inside and outside the housing sector, alongside real stories of struggle and success from our members. All set in the inspiring surroundings of Amazon’s innovation-infused HQ in London, it’s your chance to step away from the daily grind and return with renewed energy for what’s next.

Speakers include:

Panel session: The unknown unknowns. Meeting customer and regulatory expectations in the age of digital oversight.

The panel will explore how housing providers can identify and address gaps in compliance, governance, and asset intelligence—before the regulator knocks. With evolving expectations under Awaab’s Law, new regulatory standards, and the Ombudsman’s guidance, the pressure to “know what we don't know” has never been greater. Can AI help surface hidden risks? And how do we balance tech-led foresight with ethical, accountable leadership?

Panel members:

• Chair: Tom Robins, CEO, Switchee

• Dr Bola Abisogun OBE, Founder & Chief Excitement Officer, Digital Twin Skills Academy CIC

• Emma O’Shea, Chief Operating and Technology Officer, Aster Housing

• Paul Norman, Director of Asset Strategy, Clarion

Christopher Harrison, Insight and Systemic Lead, Housing Ombudsman Service

“The Repairing Trust Equation: Accountability, Empathy, Action”

Christopher will look at the results of the Repair Trust Spotlight Report and its recommendations as well as exploring themes around:

• Building empathic relationships and understanding

• Blame and accountability

• Safety, risk, and complaint management

SPOTR

Lightning Pitch

Come and hear from Dirk Huibers CEO/Co-Founder how SPOTR uses AI to digitally transform how housing providers understand and maintain their homes—delivering smart, visual property insights without needing boots on the ground. It’s not just asset intelligence, it’s peace of mind in pixels.

Matthew Gardiner, Former CEO, Changemaker and Associate at DIN

“Connected Homes research”

In this session, Matthew Gardiner who led the research, will share what the research found and the implications for those landlords with an interest in making smart homes a key strategic objective. Having accurate and timely data about properties is key to delivering a great service for residents. And making homes smart with sensors that collect data 24/7 seems like a possible way forward. But many landlords are finding it hard to do this at scale. This research looked at the factors behind this and included interviews with landlords, technology providers and residents to try and find out.

Dr Gulala Aziz, co-founder of DampSense and Dr Adam Hardy, Senior Research Fellow at the Leeds Sustainability Institute and co-founder of DampSense

‘Predicting damp for proactive damp management’

Our speakers will share practical take away's from DampSense, including:

• Presentation of the first scientifically grounded, AI-driven, damp risk prediction model
• How such techniques can facilitate proactive damp management.

• Some cautionary tales on uses of AI and machine learning.

Richard Lankshear, Programme Director, Future Homes Hub

‘The Future of Homes’

Richard will talk about the Future of Homes, focusing on how to meet climate and environmental challenges. He will share insight on future changes in home and placemaking for operational and embodied carbon, nature restoration, water efficiency and climate resilience.

Who should attend?

As our main in person property event for members and leaders, this conference is aimed at Exec Directors, Heads of Service and anyone working in the property, asset management and sustainability space. If you’re a senior property leader – or someone with the influence, interest and networks to shape how your organisation looks after and invest in residents’ homes this is for you. Come on your own or bring others from your team. All are welcome.

Attendance is free as part of your DIN membership subscription.

Important notice: Attendance is free as part of your DIN membership subscription however due to an increasing number of no-shows without apologies there will be a charge of £199+vat for anyone booking who does not show up on the day.