Clarion Housing Group has assembled a panel of thought leaders and professionals spanning across housing, health, technology, architecture, finance to tackle the challenges facing housing associations and their residents in the years to come.
Formed as part of the organisation’s 125th anniversary celebrations, the ‘Foresight Group’ will explore the impact of climate change, social and economic shifts, technological advances and the interplay between these and many other factors that will shape our world over the coming decades.
Chaired by Clarion Housing Association chair David Orr, the group will include:
- Prof. Lorraine Farrelly, head of architecture and built environment at the University of York;
- Indy Johar, director at Dark Matter Labs;
- Joe Farrington-Douglas, senior fellow, The Health Foundation;
- Rachel Coldicutt, director at Careful Industries;
- Andrew Greenwood, deputy chief executive, Leeds Building Society;
- Dr Angela Donkin, research and design consultant at the Institute of Health Equity;
- Michael Pawlyn, Founder, Exploration Architecture;
- Niomi Gibson, Clarion resident and family support practitioner at the London Borough of Bromley;
- and Julie Hirigoyen, senior Adviser at Systemiq and the CBRE Group.
This diverse group of experts will provide new insights designed to help shape our long-term strategy and continue our social mission to provide safe, high-quality homes while helping residents build a better future.
Culminating with a final output in late 2025, the group will meet regularly over the coming months to discuss challenges facing the housing sector as well as how we can best adapt and prepare to meet them head on.
Clare Miller, chief executive at Clarion Housing Group, said: “This year we look back and celebrate 125 years of making a difference, but our focus remains steadfast on improving the lives of residents in our homes today and how we can support them into the future.
“In a rapidly changing world, the Foresight Group is just one of several ways we are preparing ourselves for the challenges and opportunities ahead. We are delighted to be working with this expert panel and we look forward to sharing more of their work with the wider sector.”
As well as the Foresight Group, Clarion’s anniversary celebrations throughout 2025 will include film-making workshops for residents, a new charitable fund for community projects.
The Foresight Group’s final report is expected to be published in October 2025, with updates being provided throughout the year on Clarion’s anniversary website and social media channels.
Read more about Clarion here: Clarion launches scholarship to mark 125th anniversary – Housing Executive
