Date
05 February 2026
Network with housing professionals and build your connections
Bringing together over 500 key influencers and professionals from across the sector, this event offers an opportunity to network and discuss key issues, whilst supporting Julie Haydon’s Rooted in Resilience presidential campaign and fundraising for Mind.
Places are limited and our annual event is always popular, so book your place early to avoid disappointment.
| Package | Member | Non-Member |
|---|---|---|
| Presidential Address 2026 individual ticket | £299 + VAT | £299 + VAT |
| Presidential Address 2026 table of ten | £2990 + VAT | £2990 + VAT |
| Presidential Address 2026 table of twelve | £3588 + VAT | £3588 + VAT |
Programme
- 19:00 – Drinks reception
- 19:45 – Guests called to seats
- 20:00 – Welcome by Julie Haydon, CIH president
- 20:15 – Starters
- 20:45 – Main course
- 21:30 – Guest speaker, Mandy Hickson
- 21:45 – Desserts and coffee
- 00:00 – Carriages
Finding a love of flying early in life, Mandy fought hard to achieve her ambition to be a Royal Air Force pilot. She was only the second woman to fly a Tornado GR4, completing three tours of duty and 45 missions over Iraq. She became the Squadron’s Combat Survival and Rescue Officer, working closely with the US, instructing Squadron members on Escape and Evasion tactics. Mandy served in the RAF for 17 years and since leaving the RAF, she continued her support for the services in the Volunteer Reserve (VR), through flying on the Air Experience Flight. She is on the Board of Trustees at the Victory Services Club, London and on the Advisory Board for Positive Planet UK and the Women's Entrepreneurship & Venture Incubator Program, giving focus on encouraging entrepreneurship in non-traditional sectors.
Now, as MD of Hickson-Experience from the Front Line she works as a business consultant focusing her sessions on overcoming the fear of failure; self-belief; teamwork, leadership and the empowerment of your team; decision making under pressure; communication; and risk taking. She looks at the critical role of the human in the system to transfer these experiences from the front line to the corporate boardroom.
Mandy is also a highly demanded keynote speaker in the business and education sectors, where she talks with humour and great passion to inspire those around her. Her latest challenge is to climb Kilimanjaro in October on a fundraising expedition with 20 women from all walks of life.
Please note: By booking this event, you agree that your name and organisation appear on the table plan circulated to all attendees and sponsors before the event. One of our sponsors may contact you for marketing purposes, and your direct contact details will not be shared with our sponsors or attendees. If you would like your details excluded from the list, please email us at events@cih.org to opt out. Please see our full terms and conditions before making your booking.
Not yet a CIH member?
CIH members gain access to sector-leading knowledge and best practice in housing policy, free attendance at member events, discounted training, the use of designatory letters, and much more.
Visit our membership page to find out more, or contact us to speak with a member of our team.
