HBF Future Talent Conference 2026

HBF Future Talent Conference

Seize opportunities, say experts at HBF Future Talent Conference

Being open to opportunities is key to building a career in the housebuilding industry, according to Natalie Elphicke Ross, director of the Housing & Finance Institute.

Speaking at the Home Builders Federation’s Future Talent Conference in Birmingham, Elphicke Ross told the audience of housebuilder graduates, trainees and degree apprentices about her wide-ranging career which “has been a series of adventures and opportunities which have taken me to collect my OBE and be elected to parliament”.

Elphicke Ross, previously a leading City law firm partner, is a national expert in housing and housing policy, leading the development of the new Defence Housing Strategy for the Ministry of Defence last year. She was also the interim chair of the New Homes Quality Board (NHQB).

“Be open to opportunities,” Elphicke Ross said. “My first employment was selling candy floss”. She also advised delegates to “build up your stock of knowledge”. Those starting out in their careers should “do the maximum” – “you’ll accumulate knowledge which adds to your value in the workplace”.

“Put yourself out there,” Elphicke Ross also advised. “Value what you do and treasure the impact you have.”

Also speaking at the conference, Esther Dijkstra, md, intermediaries for Lloyds Banking Group and Adam Daniels, Vistry’s executive chair, shared what they had learned from their careers.

Having a career plan was important, Dijkstra said, but taking time to “pause and reflect” on it “matters just as much”. Rushing to reach the next rung of the career ladder was not always wise. “The most valuable thing you can do is stay put” and perfect the role.

Daniels, who took the opportunity to enter housebuilding through a previous employer, praised the supportive nature of the sector. He said: “The industry is here to help. When I’ve asked for advice, no-one’s ever said ‘no’.”

Both Daniels and Dijkstra stressed the importance of “being yourself” in work life, including in leadership roles. “Being authentic is the only way you’ll get the most out of people,” Dijkstra said.

And on the theme of taking opportunities, Daniels noted that next year could well be a “boom period” for housebuilding. The sector was under resourced. “As you come through the ranks, you can take advantage of this.”

Elphicke Ross, Dijkstra and Daniels were also part of a panel during the afternoon of the conference, which considered the impact of politics and policy on housing supply.

The panel also featured Millie Dodd, account director, communications and marketing at Shared Voice. The communications agency finds those who support housebuilding in their local areas.

When it came to the delivery of 1.5 million new homes, Dodd said there was a “gap between the national ambition” of central government and the “local reality” of councils. “Councillors are working in an environment where opposition is mobilised.”

But, she said, the focus needed to shift to those who supported housing. “We should be bold about delivering housing that is desperately needed.”

Millie Dodd also headed one of three workshops at the Future Talent Conference, focusing on the importance of good local engagement. Rhodri Williams, HBF’s technical and sustainability director and

Rachel Danemann, HBF’s regional planning manager – local plans, held interactive workshops on Building Regulations and local plans respectively.

Speaking at the conference, Sarah Bolton, ceo of the Lighthouse Charity, gave an overview of the charity’s vital work, offering emotional, physical and financial wellbeing to the construction industry. In 2025, Lighthouse gave £5,713,527 in charitable support.