Financing and Procurement for Retrofit – Webinar
Delivering successful retrofit programmes requires more than meeting regulatory standards, it depends on how projects are designed, funded and delivered with residents in mind. This focus underpins an forthcoming session in the Sustainable Housing Action Partnership’s (SHAP) Retrofit Success Lunch & Learn series, taking place on 22nd April at 12:00 PM.
The session will explore how procurement design shapes resident experience and ultimately influences the success of retrofit initiatives. As organisations move beyond compliance led approaches, there is growing recognition that procurement plays a central role in achieving meaningful, long term outcomes.
CHIC’s Chief Operating Officer, Luke Hurd, will join Andrew Harrison, Director at Broad Oak Group to share practical insights from their delivery experience. Drawing on real world examples, they will discuss how procurement decisions impact residents, how engagement standards can be embedded into frameworks and how funding models can maximise value.
Linked to the launch of SHAP’s Retrofit Success Guides, the session will also consider how organisations can strengthen their approach to commissioning retrofit programmes that deliver quality, trust and lasting impact. A Q&A session will provide further opportunity for shared learning.
Thought Leadership at CHIC
At CHIC, our team’s insight is shaped by hands on experience across asset management, development, compliance and service delivery - not procurement alone. Our team understands the real operational challenges facing housing providers, contractors and partners and we are committed to sharing that knowledge to support better decision making across the sector. Here are some of the recent developments from the housing sector we think our members should be aware of:
What the New EPC System Means for Housing Providers
This article explains that the UK’s Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) system is undergoing major reform to give housing providers a more accurate and practical understanding of how homes perform in reality. The current system has been criticised for offering a limited, often misleading snapshot of energy efficiency, but the new approach will introduce clearer, more reliable data to better support long term planning, retrofit decisions and progress toward net zero goals. Overall, the changes are intended to help providers make smarter investment choices and manage housing stock more effectively by focusing on real performance rather than simplified ratings.
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Building Better Homes Through Collaboration and Decarbonisation
This article highlights that becoming a trusted business advisor in the housing sector requires moving beyond transactional relationships and focusing on collaboration, shared goals and deep sector understanding. With major challenges like building enough new homes and decarbonising existing stock, no single organisation can succeed alone. Strong partnerships across housing providers, supply chains and advisors are essential. Trust is built through expertise, relationship management and a genuine understanding of sector needs, enabling advisors to support better decision making and deliver homes that truly meet residents’ needs. Ultimately, success comes from knowledge sharing, collective learning and working toward a common vision of creating better, more sustainable homes.
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JCT 2016 Retires: CHICs Move to 2024 Editions
CHIC is transitioning to the JCT 2024 contract suite as the 2016 editions are withdrawn from March 2026, updating its frameworks to align with modern legislation, sustainability and digital practices. The move incorporates changes around the Building Safety Act, collaboration requirements, environmental considerations and risk management, ensuring members and suppliers operate with up to date, compliant and futureproofed contract documentation.
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Welcome To Our New Starter
We are delighted to introduce a new colleague to the Procurement Team:
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 Jumaa Sudi
My name is Jumaa, and I have recently joined CHIC as a Senior Procurement Manager. I bring over seven years of experience as a procurement consultant, having worked with a variety of local councils across short term assignments. In these roles, I was responsible for providing specialist support on a wide range of procurement challenges, allowing me to develop extensive knowledge of diverse operating environments and practices.
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Housing Horizons 2026: Post-Event Summary
Housing Horizons 2026, held on Wednesday 11th March at 30 Euston Square, successfully brought together leaders and professionals from across the social housing sector in London and the South East. Delivered in partnership between CHIC and The Housing Forum, the conference provided a collaborative platform for housing providers, local authorities, consultants and supply chain partners to exchange knowledge, share experiences and explore solutions to some of the sector’s most pressing challenges.
The day began with delegate networking, setting the tone for a highly engaging and collaborative event. The opening plenary featured an insightful interview with Fiona MacGregor, Regulator of Social Housing CEO, which set the strategic context by addressing the evolving regulatory landscape and the increasing expectations surrounding building safety, compliance and performance.
Throughout the day, a series of plenary sessions and workshops explored key themes shaping the future of social housing. Discussions on the Procurement Act one year on highlighted the opportunities and challenges in delivering compliant, efficient procurement strategies. Sessions on retrofit at scale and strategic asset management focused on aligning investment with long term business planning, particularly in the context of decarbonisation and meeting Net Zero targets.
Parallel workshop sessions provided further depth, addressing critical issues such as the construction skills shortage, the delivery of the Warm Homes Fund at scale and the importance of placemaking in creating sustainable communities. These sessions encouraged open dialogue and practical knowledge sharing, reinforcing the importance of collaboration across the sector.
A key theme throughout the conference was the need for strong partnerships. Speakers and delegates consistently emphasised that the complexity of today’s housing challenges, from regulatory change to climate targets and the delivery of affordable, high quality homes, requires a collective and coordinated approach.
In addition to the formal sessions, the exhibition and networking opportunities played an important role in the success of the day. Delegates engaged with a wide range of exhibitors and sponsors, whose innovation and expertise showcased the breadth of solutions available to the sector. The event concluded with a drinks reception, providing a relaxed environment to strengthen connections and continue conversations initiated throughout the day.
The closing plenary delivered by Mark Easton and Amanda Long reflected on the insights shared and looked ahead to the future of the sector, reinforcing a shared commitment to collaboration, innovation and delivering better outcomes for residents and communities.
We would like to extend our sincere thanks to all speakers, sponsors, exhibitors and delegates for their invaluable contributions. Their engagement, expertise and willingness to share knowledge were instrumental in making Housing Horizons 2026 a success. The event demonstrated the power of partnership in addressing sector challenges and reaffirmed a collective ambition to deliver better, more sustainable homes for the future.
People in Housing Awards Midlands
A new awards event held on 19th March in Birmingham.
CHIC was proud to attend and sponsor the People in Housing Awards, where the focus was firmly on celebrating the individuals and teams who made a meaningful difference across the housing sector. The event highlighted the dedication, innovation and care that underpin the industry, aligning closely with CHIC’s own values of putting people and communities at the heart of everything it does. As a not for profit, member owned procurement consortium, CHIC reflected on its role in supporting the sector through collaborative procurement, environmental responsibility and social value delivery.
With strong roots in the Midlands, it was particularly meaningful to be part of an event in the region where the organisation began. Our congratulations to all of the winners whose achievements showcased the very best of the sector and the positive impact being delivered for residents and communities.
This Month’s Housing Updates
Government Delays EPC Reforms Until Next Year
The government has delayed its long anticipated reforms to domestic Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs), pushing implementation from the originally planned October 2026 date to the second half of 2027. The move follows consultation and engagement with industry, with officials citing concerns that the original timeline was too ambitious. The reforms are expected to introduce a new framework for measuring energy efficiency, including updated metrics and a shift away from the current single rating system, but further details and a confirmed delivery plan will now be developed over the coming year.
Read More: https://www.insidehousing.co.uk/news/government-delays-epc-reforms-until-next-year-96214
Government Reveals New Transparency Rules to Improve Fairness in Land Market
New government backed transparency measures have been introduced to improve fairness and accountability within the land market. The changes aim to make land ownership and transactions more open, helping to reduce speculation and ensure fair access for buyers, developers and local authorities. By increasing the availability of information and strengthening reporting requirements, the reforms seek to support better decision making, promote competition and create a more level playing field in land dealings.
Read More: https://www.insidehousing.co.uk/news/government-reveals-new-transparency-rules-to-improve-fairness-in-land-market-96261
Huge Step Forward Fire Safety Wales
The Welsh Government has announced new fire safety measures described as a major step forward in improving safety standards across Wales. The changes are designed to strengthen regulations, enhance building safety and reduce fire risks in both new and existing homes. The reforms build on previous safety improvements and aim to ensure that residents are better protected through stricter standards, clearer responsibilities for building owners and improved oversight of fire safety compliance.
Read More: https://www.gov.wales/huge-step-forward-fire-safety-wales
NHQB Announces Developers Must Provide Five Year Cost Projections in New Homes Quality Code
The New Homes Quality Board (NHQB) has announced that developers will be required to provide five year cost projections as part of the New Homes Quality Code. The change aims to improve transparency for buyers by giving clearer insight into the expected running and maintenance costs of new homes. By requiring developers to share long term financial information, the update seeks to support better informed purchasing decisions and increase accountability within the newbuild housing sector.
Read More: https://www.insidehousing.co.uk/news/nhqb-announces-developers-must-provide-five-year-cost-projections-in-new-homes-quality-code-96153
Iran War Could Drive Construction and Energy Price Rises, Experts Warn After Spring Statement
Experts have warned that escalating geopolitical tensions, including the situation involving Iran, could lead to rising construction and energy costs following the government’s Spring Statement. Increased uncertainty in global markets may push up the price of materials, fuel and energy, potentially impacting housing development and retrofit projects. Analysts suggest that higher costs could place additional pressure on the construction sector, affecting delivery timelines, affordability and wider economic stability.
Read More: https://www.insidehousing.co.uk/news/iran-war-could-drive-construction-and-energy-price-rises-experts-warn-after-spring-statement-96148
