Members only

Landlords are far more likely to find themselves at the centre of a media storm today than at any point in recent history.

Here’s why:

• Housing is in the spotlight like never before. ITV News has brought the living conditions that parts of our society are facing to the national consciousness. This work has been supported by campaigners such as Kwajo
• Politicians have reacted to high profile cases with changes to the law. The media know that there is public appetite for stories on social housing
• We have some of the oldest, coldest housing stock in Europe in need of investment and regeneration, and (at the time of writing) have had 16 housing ministers since 2010, pointing to a lack of a long-term plan to address systemic challenges within the sector.

So, it’s no surprise that boards, councillors and executive teams across housing are asking their communications professionals – how can we be sure it’s not us in the news next?

In this session we’ll explore this question and more:

• The work landlords need to do to identify reputational risks and prevent them from turning into national headlines
• The changing media landscape and how we should work with  modern journalists who are writing about housing issues
• What the coming elections will mean for housing and how landlords should be working with politicians.

Plus, a crisis comms masterclass based on a real true to life scenario. We’ll run an exercise in real time to help delegates understand how to respond to a crisis if and when the worst happens – how to deal with the media, engage stakeholders, manage internal comms and protect the reputation of their organisations and the sector.

10.30 Chair’s welcome and introductions

• • Bobbie Hough, Associate, HQN

10.45 How the newsroom has changed and how housing became a national story

• • Hannah Fearn, Journalist

11.15 Break

11.30 Housing in an election year – campaigning and reframing housing’s narrative

• • Ben Powell, Account Director, Hough Bellis Communications

12.00 Preparing for the worst – how can we identify and mitigate reputational risks across the sector

• • Amanda Coleman, Crisis Communication Consultant, Amanda Coleman Communication Ltd

12.30 Lunch

13.15 Crisis comms masterclass – play out a crisis comms scenarios in real time, to understand how we should react when the spotlight hits our organisations

• • Amanda Coleman, Crisis Communication Consultant, Amanda Coleman Communication Ltd

  • Bobbie Hough, Associate, HQN

14.30 Break

14.45 Crisis comms masterclass continued

15.45 Chair’s summary and discussions

• • Bobbie Hough, Associate, HQN

16.00 Close

The Studio

51 Lever Street

Manchester

M1 1FN

Bobbie Hough, Associate, HQN

Bobbie is an expert in strategic planning and crisis communications and has worked with some of the UK’s most recognised brands overseeing successful mergers, high profile media campaigns and managing crisis scenarios. He works with companies to help align communications and business strategies.

Hannah Fearn, Journalist

Hannah Fearn is a reporter, writer and columnist covering politics, social affairs and a wide range of other issues. She is the former comment editor of the Independent, and previously worked for The Guardian, Times Higher Education and Inside Housing.

Amanda Coleman, Crisis Communication Consultant, Amanda Coleman Communication Ltd

Amanda is a crisis communication specialist and the director and founder of crisis communication consultancy Amanda Coleman Communication Ltd. Based in the UK, she has more than 20 years’ experience in emergency services communication and leading at a time of crisis.

She is the author of Crisis Communication Strategies published in May 2020 by Kogan Page.  A second edition of the popular book will be published in March 2023. Her second book Everyday Communication Strategies was published in November 2022. In 2017, Amanda led the law enforcement communication response to the Manchester Arena terrorist attack. Now, Amanda provides consultancy support to public and private sector organisations facing challenging times, as well as training individuals and teams to more effectively communicate in a crisis.

Amanda began her working life as a journalist. She is a Chartered PR practitioner as well as a Fellow of both the Chartered Institute of Public Relations and the Public Relations and Communication Association. She is an advisor for the Resilience Advisors Network, a senior associate of the Centre for Crisis and Risk Communication and the Chair of the UK’s Emergency Planning Society Communication Professional Working Group.

Ben Powell, Account Director, Hough Bellis Communications

Ben is an Account Director at Hough Bellis Communications and specialises in running impactful campaigns. From launching ASB Awareness Week in Parliament to getting heat networks onto the Prime Minister’s agenda – he know what it takes to make politicians listen.

Prior to working at Hough Bellis, Ben spent almost ten years working in Parliamentary roles, including advising Labour on health. He has also worked in campaigns and public affairs roles for an NHS trade union, a transport trade union and the campaign organisation, 38 Degrees.

Ben has also served as a local Councillor. He is currently a non-executive director for a housing association.

If you are unable to attend an event or public training course, please let us know in writing (email is fine) at least 48 hours before. Please email [email protected]

Otherwise, a cancellation fee of £60 plus VAT will be chargeable.

If you are using a package place to attend and do not inform us within the agreed time frame, then a place will be taken to cover your non-attendance.

Cancellations must be made in writing, and will be acknowledged by HQN Limited