Date
25 November 2025
Time
09:30 - 16:45
Join us at our flagship event for young and new housing professionals
With innovative and informative sessions to support you and the Scottish housing sector, this is the must-attend event for young and new housing professionals looking to build their network, develop new skills and challenge the status quo.
Join the discussion on:
- Your career and value in the housing sector
- What’s happening in the sector in Scotland today
- The power of resilience and positive reflection
- Robotics and AI
Delegates will also have the opportunity to take part in Pathways Paradox, an interactive game, led by Dr Vikki McCall from the University of Stirling, that highlights the challenges, opportunities, and barriers within the housing system for people experiencing homelessness.
So come along, meet other housing professionals and be inspired by sessions designed to help you take learning back to your organisation.
In this session, you will grow from good to great as we discuss the importance of housing and why the next generation are key to the future of the sector.
Facilitator: Eileen McCallum
Eileen McCallum is a popular trainer with over 46 year's experience in Social Rented Housing. She began training for the Chartered Institute of Housing in 1987 and quickly became a sought-after trainer due to her depth of knowledge and her engaging style.
In this session, you will grow from good to great as we discuss the importance of housing and why the next generation are key to the future of the sector.
Facilitator: Eileen McCallum
Eileen McCallum is a popular trainer with over 46 year's experience in Social Rented Housing. She began training for the Chartered Institute of Housing in 1987 and quickly became a sought-after trainer due to her depth of knowledge and her engaging style.
The Pathways Paradox is a game that highlights the challenges, opportunities, and barriers within the housing system. It energises participants, bringing together diverse perspectives to explore what truly works in future-proofing homes and communities. By tackling the complex links between housing, employment, and support services, the game encourages deeper understanding and drives discussions about the need for systemic change.
Facilitator: Professor Vikki McCall
Get to understand what is happening in Scottish housing today. Going round in teams you will hear from sector experts about how different work streams are impacting our sector, all before we discuss what role we can all play to inform future direction.
Discussion topics include:
- Housing Bill
- Professionalism
- Net Zero
- Housing Emergency
- Community Housing
- Regulation
Get to understand what is happening in Scottish housing today. Going round in teams you will hear from sector experts about how different work streams are impacting our sector, all before we discuss what role we can all play to inform future direction.
Discussion topics include:
- Housing Bill
- Professionalism
- Net Zero
- Housing Emergency
- Community Housing
- Regulation
The one thing we can all agree on is very few of us know where to start with AI and Robotics. At this session we start with a 'guided tour' - where we can unpick some common problems within organisations, and look at creative ways to solve them and start on those journeys.
Facilitators: Waterstons (AI specialists)
Regardless of your role, nurturing resilience and prioritising wellbeing is crucial in today's workforce, making this event perfect for all professionals and staff who wish to improve their capacity to recover, thrive during challenges, and boost their mental wellness.
This dynamic session offers practical tools and strategies for handling workplace challenges and maintaining peak performance.
Trainer: Christopher Green
Christopher is a lecturer in initial teacher education at Queen Margaret University and teaches both undergraduate and postgraduate students. He is also involved in the Forest and Outdoor Learning Awards (FOLA), which sits within the University's Sustainable Human Behaviour module.
Given that our Scottish events sell out quickly, book your free, member-exclusive place now.
Hear why our event sponsors are supporting The Big Conversation
Waverley Housing
“Attracting and supporting the next generation of housing professionals is essential to the long-term success of Waverley Housing. The social housing sector is facing an ageing workforce, increasing skills shortages, and an ever-changing policy and regulatory environment. By engaging with young professionals, we ensure that new ideas, fresh perspectives, and innovative approaches are brought into our organisation.”
“Young housing professionals bring energy, digital skills, and a strong commitment to social purpose, all of which can help us adapt to the evolving needs of our tenants and communities. Their involvement helps future-proof Waverley Housing, builds leadership capacity for tomorrow, and demonstrates that we are an organisation which values learning, development, and inclusivity.”
“Engaging with young professionals is not just about succession planning — it is also about making Waverley Housing a more dynamic, responsive, and resilient organisation today.”
The Kingdom Group
“The Kingdom Group backs The Big Conversation because investing in young professionals means investing in the future of housing. Our sector offers real variety, roles that span every business function and skill set, and the chance to make a real difference to people's lives. Creating space for early-career voices is how we build a stronger, more innovative sector that people want to be part of.”
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.
