Kirsty Hall - Social Investment Manager, Nationwide Building Society
I’m in a very privileged position at Nationwide as I help invest the 1% of pre-tax profit that’s put aside to help local communities. My role involves looking after our strategic charity partnerships, including Shelter and St Mungo’s, and heading up our volunteering and fundraising programmes. I also manage our fantastic network of Social Investment Ambassadors and Champions – of which there’s about 300.
Malcolm Hamilton - Creative Director, Play:Disrupt
Malcolm Hamilton is Creative Director of Play:Disrupt- an engagement consultancy that evolved from Mufti Games. Play:Disrupt seeks out barriers to participation and designs innovative ways to widen engagement, connecting with communities whom others may have overlooked. A former actor, LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® facilitator and Leverhulme Scholar with a background in outdoor arts, Malcolm’s playful interventions make complex issues accessible and engage audiences in unexpected ways. Clients include Arup, Great Places Lakes and Dales, University of Bristol.
Paul Hassan - Development Manager (South West), Locality
Paul works full time for Locality, as Development Manager (South West), supporting ambitious and enterprising community-led organisations to work together to ensure their neighbourhoods thrive. He joined the United Communities HA Board in September 2015. He has over two decades of in depth experience in the arena of economic and community development and across a range of media platforms.
Julian Higson - Director of Housing and Landlord Services, Bristol City Council
Julian’s portfolio includes management and maintenance of the Bristol City Council’s 29,000 homes, homelessness & housing options, and private sector housing. This includes a development pipeline of 1,200 council homes, incorporating a number of modular solutions. Before joining BCC, Julian held senior roles in local authorities and G15 housing associations. He is passionate about innovation, high quality design, and customer service excellence.
Jessica Hodge - Chief Executive, Emmaus Bristol
Jessica has worked for Emmaus Bristol since 2016, in that time working with the team to increase the number of formerly homeless people supported, and to increase the range of accommodation provided. She has a background in environmental sustainability having worked for Bioregional Development group and in the sustainability team at Islington Council. Jessica ran a city farm for four years, developing trading activities that helped to secure its future. The Emmaus Bristol community has asked for secure, affordable housing to be provided, with Emmaus as a landlord, so that people can move on from supported housing in a safe way. Jessica is working with the Emmaus Bristol community, Agile and other local partners to make this happen.
Julie Hood - Business Development Lead, NetZero Buildings
Julie has a wealth of experience in the construction and Modular industry with an exceptional track record in client satisfaction and relationship building. Julie has worked for client’s, contractors, consultant’s and manufacturers over the years, so has an excellent understanding of how to get the best from all parties. Regularly going the extra mile for clients, helping with events, dealing with stakeholders, liaising with neighbouring businesses and resident’s and taking part in the occasional sponsored event to help get the last Pound in the pot. Julie is the company lead for Housing Frameworks and has also been a key speaker at the NSG Conference and several other smaller events.
James Howard - Development Director, Studio HIVE
James is Development Director at Studio HIVE, an innovative Bristol based property developer. A Chartered Building Surveyor, James branched into Development and Project Management of mixed-use developments and has worked as a Client on many mixed-use heritage-led projects including Lakeshore, Bristol and Royal William Yard, Plymouth from inception to completion and post occupation. Currently, James is working on regeneration projects in Bristol & Weston-super-Mare and a number of public sector/private sector partnerships.
Bev Hurley CBE - Chief Executive, YTKO
Bev Hurley is CEO of YTKO, which has over 40 years expertise in supporting entrepreneurs, growth businesses and corporates. Having built a number of successful companies Bev has developed a deep understanding of local, regional and national economic development challenges. Bev has a number of non-executive directorships and is Chair of the Institute of Economic Development. She holds the Queen’s Award for Enterprise Promotion and was awarded a CBE in 2014.
