Meet the 2025 Speakers
Speakers for the 2025 Leadership Conference
Jonathan Cox
Chief Data Officer, HousemarkJonathan has over 15 years of experience providing data analysis and business support to the social housing sector. He previously worked for two large London Housing Associations before joining the Housemark data team in 2012. Jonathan has delivered a range of data consultancy projects, and recent clients include Catalyst Group, Trivallis, Solihull Community Housing, Stonewater Group and Aster Group.
Amanda Leonard
Chief Executive Officer, PerfectStorm LtdAmanda has built a distinguished career at Board and Executive levels within global FTSE 100 companies, including Vice President and Director roles at Sainsbury’s, Granada Group PLC, and Compass Group PLC. Her leadership spans fast-paced, customer-centric, and regulated sectors such as hospitality, travel, retail, and sport.
Since founding PerfectStorm Ltd in 2010, Amanda has brought her expertise to the housing sector, where she has become a passionate advocate for innovation and resident engagement. She played a pivotal role in the Clarion merger, collaborating with the Cabinet Office on the first post-Grenfell resident consultation. Amanda works extensively with Boards and Executive teams to shape strategy, governance, and communications. She also partners with data and technology businesses, like Housemark, to drive growth and has pioneered a new model for embedding the customer voice within housing providers—co-designing structures directly with residents to ensure meaningful involvement and impact.
Fiona Fletcher-Smith
Chief Executive, L&Q GroupFiona has been CEO of L&Q Group since 2020, bringing over 30 years' of experience in the housing sector. Her career spans voluntary and public sector roles—from advising homeless people in Dublin to leading major housing and regeneration initiatives.
Before becoming CEO, she served as Executive Director for Development, Enterprise and Environment at the Greater London Authority, where she oversaw the London Plan and managed the Mayor’s strategic planning powers.
At L&Q, Fiona previously led the £5.1 billion development and sales programme, including landmark projects like the 10,800-home Barking Riverside development. Her leadership continues to shape the future of housing and urban development across the UK.
Julia Mixter
Executive Director, Business ServicesJulia joined Anchor in May 2024 from Raven Housing Trust. As Director of Transformation at Raven, she led an award-winning multi-year business transformation programme to improve services to customers, drive value for money and reduce operational risk and waste. With more than 20 years of experience in senior Human Resources roles, she was previously the Director of Human Resources at the Royal Automobile Club.
Julia has also served as the Director of People and Operations at The Children’s Trust, a medical charity, and as a Senior HRBP at Transport for London and was also a former a Trustee for the Royal School of Church Music (a voluntary role).
She holds a degree in Psychology and a Postgraduate diploma in Strategic Human Resources Management and is FCIPD qualified.
Naomi Sweeting
Director of Customer Research & Insight, Places for PeopleNaomi is Director of Customer Research & Insight at Places for People, with over 25 years’ experience in customer strategy across both public and private sectors. She has held senior roles at Lloyds Banking Group, Grand Union Housing Group, and Alliance Homes. Naomi is passionate about inclusive customer experience and has developed an award-winning psychographic segmentation model, now adopted by 14 housing organisations.
Garret Emmerson
Former Chief Executive of the London Ambulance ServiceGarrett is the former Chief Executive of the London Ambulance Service (LAS), where he led the organisation through the COVID-19 pandemic and major incidents including the London Bridge terrorist attacks and the Grenfell Tower fire.
Prior to LAS, Garrett served as Chief Operating Officer at Transport for London, overseeing surface transport operations for over eight years, including during the 2012 Olympics. With extensive experience working alongside both Boris Johnson and Sadiq Khan’s mayoral administrations, Garrett brings deep expertise in political navigation, crisis management, and media engagement. He is recognised for delivering major organisational change in high-pressure environments.
Michael Cameron
Chief Executive, Scottish Housing RegulatorMichael is the Chief Executive and accountable officer of the Scottish Housing Regulator (SHR). He leads the organisation in fulfilling its statutory purpose to safeguard and promote the interests of tenants, people who are homeless, and others who use social housing services.
With over two decades of experience in regulation and public service, Michael provides strategic direction and operational oversight across SHR’s regulatory functions. He has played a key role in shaping housing regulation in Scotland and has contributed to international regulatory practice through his appointment to Ireland’s Approved Housing Bodies Regulatory Authority. Michael is a graduate of the University of Glasgow and a respected voice in housing policy and governance.
Karen Doran
Director of Regulatory Engagement, Regulator of Social HousingKaren is Director of Regulatory Engagement at the Regulator of Social Housing (RSH), where she leads regulation of private registered providers. She has held previous roles at RSH in investigation, enforcement, and consumer regulation.
With over 30 years’ experience in housing, Karen began her career in frontline homelessness and housing management, and has worked across local authorities, housing associations, and in senior policy roles within central and regional government. Before joining RSH in 2013, she worked in consultancy and chaired the panel of social housing lenders. Karen also served as a non-executive director on the Audit & Risk Committee of a housing association in Northern Ireland.
Jo Causon
Chief Executive, The Institute of Customer ServiceJo Causon has served as CEO of the Institute of Customer Service since 2009, leading a 150% growth in membership and establishing the UK Customer Satisfaction Index as the national benchmark for customer experience. With a career spanning financial services, brand strategy, and policy development, Jo brings deep commercial insight and a passion for embedding customer service at the heart of business strategy.
Her previous roles include over a decade at Aviva plc, a non-executive directorship at Aegon UK’s independent governance committee, and senior positions at City & Guilds and the Chartered Management Institute. Jo is a trusted voice in national media and has advised parliamentary committees on the economic impact of service excellence.
Catherine Cross
Founder and Business Development Director, 4OCCatherine co-founded 4OC in 2012 with a vision to drive impactful change in the public sector. She has extensive experience in designing and implementing large-scale change programs, and a proven track record of enhancing operational performance and delivering significant benefits to both customers and service users. Catherine understands the challenges of managing change while maintaining day-to-day operations, bringing empathy and insight to her work.
Currently, Catherine plays a key role across various teams, focusing on Housing, Sustainability, Health, and the Third Sector, where she shares her knowledge and strategies for effective change management.
Nick Clark
Chief Executive, Ore Valley GroupNick is Chief Executive of the Ore Valley Group, a forward-thinking organisation based in Cardenden, Fife. The Group includes Ore Valley Housing Association and five subsidiary companies, delivering social and mid-market housing across east-central Fife and managing a diverse portfolio of commercial real estate, retail properties, renewable energy assets, and community initiatives.
With 16 years at Ore Valley, Nick became CEO in 2023 after serving as Corporate, Enterprise and Sustainability Manager. His background spans sustainability and leisure, bringing a broad perspective and a strong commitment to innovation and community impact.
Under Nick’s leadership, the Group continues to deliver ambitious projects that blend housing, enterprise, and environmental sustainability.
