Thought leader interview with John Fisher

What will be the biggest issue you hope to hear more on at Housing 2022? 

I really want to hear that the sector has connected the links between decarbonisation and strategic asset management. We must ensure that we invest in homes with a long-term future, that people will continue to like, and accept that less popular homes may need a more radical response. The sector is great at responding to initiatives but less capable at long term investment planning – we must use the wealth of data at our fingertips to test the true value of the future investment, to decarbonise the right homes and regenerate others. Oh yes, and a continual hope we might see the sector embracing MMC for new homes at scale.

What will you be speaking about in your session? 

Both ARK and CHIC are founding sponsors of Unlock Net Zero and we are keen to contribute to the collaborative initiatives and information sharing about decarbonisation. ARK is sponsoring the Insight Stage and speaking in a session about data, which will look at how you can capture and interpret data to inform strategic investment planning and decisions. The sector is really ‘data rich’ but does not use this knowledge base as intelligently as it can. Same theme here as my ‘biggest issue’, as I want to make sure the huge rolling and increasing (due to decarbonisation) programme of planned asset investment adds value – progressively improving the quality of our homes, reducing heating costs for residents and improving their collective environmental impact.

Tell us a question for the Secretary of State?

Positively the Government is releasing funds through BEIS to support landlords in decarbonisation. How will you make absolutely sure that this is all invested in homes with a long-term future and that we won’t just be making poor housing a little better?

What are you most looking forward to? 

Meeting up with ARK clients, CHIC members and other sector stakeholders, to share experience and ideas. Virtual meetings lose some of the value gained from seeing people face to face – so it is great to catch up face to face.

Name the housing speaker of your dreams and why?

For me this needs a time machine to take us back to the likes of George Cadbury. I’d like to hear about his vision and leadership that created the Bournville Community – a sustainable model focused on people living in well designed homes and places. Visionary leadership is as important now as ever, if we are to build and manage sustainable communities.

Why is it vital the whole sector has a place to meet each year? 

To make sure the big, important issues are shared and addressed through effective collaboration. Lifting ourselves out of the day job helps the sector’s leaders to make sure they remain focused on making homes better for people, by understanding what others are doing differently.

Book for your ticket for Housing 2022 now.