The CIH Housing 2021 Conference starts on Tuesday in Manchester, a welcome return to in-person event and an important opportunity for many of us working in Housing to network, discuss and debate.

At 4i Solutions we believe that the best collaboration and development happens through strong relationships, and we understand that meeting face to face is the best way to build these. 4i Solutions team members Nick Joslyn, Caroline Lester, Michael Cleaver and Robert Isaac are looking forward to the conference as a key opportunity to meet with colleagues past, current and future.

Our focus on collaborative partnerships has recently been recognised, we were delighted to be reappointed to our role with Clarion Housing Group as Independent Advisor on their 20-year planned investment  Partnership with Equans, United Living and Wates. We are also very pleased to have recently been appointed by L&Q as consultants to support procurement and delivery of their £1.9 bn major works investment programme.

The award of significant contracts and securing increasing budgets for investment to improve residents homes is an incredibly positive sign of hope in the sector. These are tangible evidence of confidence in our shared purpose, but of course it comes with caution – to deliver the hopes and aspirations of so many residents, we need to be a sector of professionals working collaboratively, effectively and efficiently. This requires strong relationships built on trust, excellent communication and high levels of transparency.

As so many of us gather in Manchester for Housing 21, we will naturally reflect on the times we have come through, but let us also look forward to the future in confidence, channelling the signs of hope.