Our policy team works hard to support members with policy knowledge and influence key decision-makers on policy implementation.
What we do
- Publish research and briefings on important housing issues, including the annual statistical publication UK Housing Review
- Work closely with senior policy makers in all parts of the UK to shape the housing agenda
- Strive to improve the media’s coverage of housing issues and inform the public
- Draw on the expertise and opinions of our members to shape our views, arguments and priorities.
Get in touch
If you've got a question for the policy team, you can send us an email to policy@cih.org and a member of the team will get back to you shortly.
Follow us on X/Twitter @CIH_Policy
James Prestwich is the director of policy and external affairs at the Chartered Institute of Housing. He leads our influencing and public affairs work across the UK. Before joining CIH in early 2020 from the National Housing Federation (NHF), he held the role of head of policy.
Rachael Williamson is the head of policy and external affairs. Before joining CIH, Rachael worked at Citizens Advice in roles spanning policy research, communications, and fundraising. Prior to that, she spent over ten years working in central government, working on (mainly housing) policy development, legislation, and project management.
Justin Cartwright is the Northern Ireland national director and leads our influencing and external affairs work for Northern Ireland, having joined CIH in 2013 as policy and public affairs manager. Justin is chair of Belfast City Centre Management Company Ltd and a trustee of Supporting Communities.
Callum Chomczuk is the national director and leads the team for CIH Scotland, having taken on the post in September 2018. He initially joined the Institute in March 2018 as deputy director. He previously worked in consultancy as the head of public affairs for Pagoda PR after working in policy roles in the third sector and as a Scottish parliamentary researcher.
Matt Dicks is the national director of CIH Cymru and leads the team in Wales. Matt took his current role armed with a breadth of knowledge of the Welsh policy landscape following 17 years of working as a senior communicator at the heart of Welsh civic and political life. He joined the National Assembly for Wales (now Welsh parliament) as its head of news. He transformed the Welsh Parliament’s media operation into the modern multi-platform, multi-media function you see today.
Ashley Campbell is a policy and practice manager at CIH Scotland, her role involves ensuring members' views are reflected in responses to local and national consultations, developing briefings and practice materials to keep the sector up to date with the latest changes, and working to influence policy and legislation.
Cerys Clark is the policy and public affairs manager for CIH Cymru. Cerys has a background in local authority work from frontline homelessness to housing strategy and policy work. She is currently undertaking a PhD at Cardiff Met and is a chartered CIH member.
Sarah Davis is a senior policy and practice officer who leads in ageing, health, care, support, rural housing, tenant engagement, and housing strategy.
Susanne Flynn is a policy and practice officer at CIH Scotland. Her role involves supporting the development of consultation responses and practice materials, providing project and research support for the Scotland policy team, and keeping members up to date via briefings, press releases, and social media.
Megan Hinch is a policy and practice officer who leads our work on housing supply and finance.
Hannah Keilloh is a policy and practice officer who leads our policy work surrounding planning, homelessness, and domestic abuse. Hannah is a member of the Royal Town Planning Institute.
Sam Lister is a policy and practice officer and leads on policy issues surrounding welfare, housing law and the private rented sector. Sam is also a chartered CIH member.
John Perry is a policy advisor for CIH and contributes to editing the UK Housing Review and advises on various subjects, including local authority finance, housing investment, and much more. He also manages the CIH housing rights website.
Matthew Scott is a policy and practice officer who leads our work on asset management, specifically on building safety, repairs and maintenance and the domestic transition to Net Zero in social housing. He holds a PhD from Newcastle University and has previously held several research and policy roles in the academic and third sectors.
Julie Steele is is an engagement and external affairs manager for CIH NI. Julie supports CIH NI members while building and maintaining relationships with influential individuals and organisations within the Northern Irish housing sector. She is also involved in supporting the development of consultation responses for the Northern Ireland policy team.
Niki Walton is the policy and external affairs administrator, supporting the work of teams across the UK. She is a chartered CIH member.
Our campaigns
At CIH, we support housing professionals to create a future in which everyone has a place to call home.
We are the professional body for people who work in housing, the independent voice for housing and the home of professional standards. We promote the art and science of housing and act in the interest of our members and the public.
Learn more about our campaigns, and find out what we are doing to shape the future of housing policy and bring about positive change in the housing sector.
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