As I reflect on our third Data Matters one-day event at the British Museum in central London, I feel a great sense of achievement, not only for Housing Technology but also for the entire social housing sector. Data Matters 2024 brought together so many knowledgeable professionals and it was truly exciting to see how engaged everyone was in discussing the future of data in our sector.
This year’s event was particularly special, not just because of the wonderful venue but because of the depth of conversations and insights shared throughout the day. From the moment we kicked off with breakfast and networking, there was a buzz in the room that carried through to the final session. I’d like to personally thank everyone who attended and contributed – it was your participation which made Data Matters 2024 such a success – as well as the event’s kind partners, comprising Experian, Mobysoft, Neo Technology, Social Telecoms and The Dot Collective.
We started the day strongly with a presentation from Home Group on ‘Extreme Makeover – Data Edition’, led by Faustina Tolosa and Simon Parker. It was a fascinating insight into data transformation, setting the perfect tone for the rest of the event. Alex Whitmore from BT/EE then gave us a glimpse into the future of 5G, while Gaurav Suri’s presentation from L&Q really resonated with many, as he shared their journey from data silos to master data management.
Throughout the day, we heard from an impressive range of speakers, each bringing their own unique perspective. Whether it was Chris Fleck from Mobysoft discussing how to make sense of data or Shae McCalla from Notting Hill Genesis on building a data management culture, the level of engagement from the audience was clear.
Delegate feedback – what you told us
We’re always keen to hear how our delegates experience the event, and this year we received some particularly valuable feedback:
- “The shorter 20-minute presentations kept things snappy and to the point, which was fantastic.”
- “It was great to hear how different housing providers are tackling their data challenges – L&Q, Sovini and Notting Hill Genesis were especially insightful.”
- “There was an incredible atmosphere during the networking breaks and the event provided a great opportunity for new collaborations.”
- “This felt like a safe space to share, debate, and collaborate. Housing Technology is doing great work facilitating this!”
A call to action: data standards
One emerging theme was the question of data standards. Sheldon Ferguson from the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government gave a great presentation on ‘Improving Data Standards in Social Housing’, sparking some really interesting and varied discussions.
In response, Housing Technology will be doing some detailed research into the merits of data standards, protocols and frameworks; we’ll be sharing more updates soon as this develops.
Afternoon sessions and networking
As the afternoon unfolded, Claire England from Orbit Group shared her very valuable insights on the challenges and rewards of delivering business value through data. The panel discussion on data governance, hosted by Experian, offered a great opportunity for collaboration and cross-sector dialogue.
We closed the day with excellent presentations from Sovereign Network Group and Sovini Group, showcasing the early adoption of data solutions and practical applications that many in the room found inspiring.
A heartfelt thank you
I’d like to extend a sincere thank you to our Housing Technology team – they put in a huge amount of work behind the scenes to make this event happen, and it showed. A special thank you also to the staff at the British Museum, who were wonderful hosts and ensured everything ran smoothly. Lastly, a big thank you to all our speakers, partners and delegates for your contributions and enthusiasm throughout the day.
Looking ahead
With the Housing Technology 2025 conference coming up in March, I’m confident that the momentum from Data Matters 2024 will carry us forward. The relationships and ideas that came out of this event will help drive future innovations in our sector, and I’m excited to see where these conversations will take us.
Once again, thank you to everyone who made Data Matters 2024 such a success. We look forward to continuing this journey with you.
George Grant is the CEO, publisher and co-founder of Housing Technology.
