On the Air

In this episode of On the Air, Paula is joined by John Wickenden from Housemark, Paul Malone from Moving Soon and Charlie Bessant from Stonewater to explore why empty homes are rarely as simple as they appear. Together, they unpack the complex reality behind voids, looking at the many stages involved. The discussion highlights how fragmented systems, resource pressures and changing regulations can...

This episode explores the next era of social housing - safer, greener, more connected and shaped by a stronger tenant voice - through the lens of delivery. What does it take to turn policy ambition into day-to-day reality?  We talk to Clare Mills, Onboarding and Talent Lead, Stonewater; Lisa Collen, Group Director Culture & Organisational Design and Natalie Flageul, Executive Director of Customer...

In this episode of Stonewater’s On the Air podcast, host Paula Palmer explores who social housing is really for in today’s pressured housing landscape. Holly Edwards, Stonewater’s Customer Experience Director, explains how lettings and allocations work, why fairness is so difficult to achieve, and how shortages shape both decision‑making and community sustainability. Tim Brown from De Montfort Uni...

In this episode of Stonewater’s On the Air podcast, host Paula Palmer explores whether new towns can truly address the UK’s housing crisis. The discussion begins with Lord Richard Best, Co-Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on New Towns, who shares insights from his extensive housing career and emphasizes the importance of linking housing with jobs, transport, and green spaces, while also...

The discussion centres on how housing providers can rebuild trust through transparency, empathy, and consistent service delivery. David emphasizes Stonewater’s commitment to improving visibility, responsiveness, and honesty in customer interactions, while Jo highlights sector-wide initiatives like the Together with Tenants framework, which fosters meaningful resident engagement. Joseph offers a po...

With our guests Jeremy Porteous, Housing LIN and Stonewater's Sarah Pugh, Domestic Abuse Services and Vicky Chase, Exeter Young People Foyer we explore the impact of supporting housing for those in need. From vital refuge and rehabilitation, young people transitioning to independent living to older people holding on to independence and community.  We investigate the evolving landscape of housing,...

Host Paula Palmer is joined by Nick Harris, Chief Executive at Stonewater, Catherine Evans, Director of Homes Operations at Stonewater, and Mark Astbury, Partner at Ridge, a built environment consultancy. Our guests discuss how investment is planned - from new kitchens and heating systems to window replacements and landscaping improvements – and how investment aligns with sector challenges, includ...

Guests this episode include Joe Ross, Service Improvement Manager who provides real insight of how the sector is already tackling stigma and shares his thoughts on the "right to buy" policy as a catalyst for the negative perception of social housing.  Rick Liddiment, Head of External Affairs, Flagship, along with Dr. Mercy Denedo, Durham University and Professor Amanze Ejiogu, Sheffield Hallam Uni...

We are joined by Kate Stetsiuk, Head of AI at The Dot Collective, who will bring insights on AI's real world applications and the latest developments in responsible AI use.  Jon Cocker, Chief Information Officer at Platform Housing Group, is here to discuss AI's impact on data, governance, and operational efficiency and Gareth Lloyd, Chief Information and Transformation Officer at Stonewater, shar...

With guests; Chair of Stonewater's Board, Sheila Collins and Chief Officer for Customer Experience and Growth, Jonathan Layzell we discuss Stonewater’s decade of success, some of the hurdles they've overcome, and their own experience of mergers and acquisitions.  This episode also features HACT Chief Executive, Andrew Van Doorn bringing a critical perspective on mergers and advocating for greater...

With co-host Stonewater Director of Development Operations, James Bradbury we discuss the new Labour Government plan for housing with guests Anne Costain, Stonewater Chief Financial Officer, Isabelle Kirk, Stonewater Assistant Director of Treasury and Director of Housing and Development at Lloyds Banking Group. From funding challenges, development hurdles and everything in between On the Air bring...

Join host Paula Palmer joined by co-host, James Bird, Managing Director, Innovation & Insight, Cavendish and guests; Dave Lockerman, Director of Housing Operations, Robert Panou, Director Asset Strategy & Investment, Stonewater, Alistair Smyth, Director of Policy and Research, NHF and Aileen Edmunds, CEO, Longleigh for the Episode 1 of Season 5.  As we kick off this new season, we're excited to ex...

Guests Abi Deeprose (HR Advisor), Anne-Marie Alexander (Commercial Services Team Leader) share their thoughts on what makes Stonewater a great place to work and the things that matter to them. With internal policies on topics such as the menopause support, networking groups, flexible working and Stonewater’s overall commitment to being there for colleagues in the moments that matter we'll find out...

Guests Donna Warr, Head of Organisational Capability and Sair Leahy, Organisational Development and Learning Experience Manager outline the Competency and Conduct proposals, Stonewater's response to the consultation and who and how they might affect in the organisation.  We also talk about Stonewater's current plans and culture for colleague learning and development, from initiatives like Step up...

With guests; Dave Lockerman, Director of Housing Operations, Dani Bowater, Customer Engagement Co-ordinator, Gareth Morgan, Stonewater scrutiny panel member and Jenny Osbourne, CEO of Tpas.  The session focuses on internal and external changes, which include forthcoming regulatory changes and the increasing shift within consumer standards for brilliant customer engagement and communication. We dis...

In this episode we invite previous guest Clare Rainsford, Environmental Business Partner back to co- host along side Paula Palmer.  We met Clare at the launch of the Greenoak Centre of Excellence where she introduced us to the Circular Economy principle, this time Clare is going to talk about what else she is working on with team members Molly Auchterlonie, Environmental Business Partner to Financ...

Alongside host, Paula Palmer is guest host Emma Mifflin, Decarbonisation Manager at Stonewater and two of her Team; Helen Dextor and Jerrad Murphy, Retrofit Project Managers, to discuss the measures Stonewater are taking to ensure all existing homes are EPC C by 2030.  Whilst discussing the retrofit project, they are also joined by Matt Ratcliff, Osmosis as they chat about how we are approaching t...

Guest Host, Adam Master, Assistant Director of Environment and Sustainability is joined by members of his team to give an overview of how sustainability is viewed and actioned at Stonewater.  Guests Rhys Bevan and Emily Batchford, Environmental Sustainability Partners along with Arthur Gott, Development Manager talk about the technology Stonewater is using in new developments such as heat pumps, W...

November saw the launch of the Greenoak Centre of Excellence for sustainability in the housing sector, a partnership between Greenoak Housing Association Ltd and Stonewater. This special edition was filmed and can be viewed at https://youtu.be/hMCNgyGreZI - the film comes with  full subtitles . This bonus episode comes ahead of a trio of podcasts that will dig deeper into sustainability at Stonewa...

With guests Dean Ballard, Head of Data; Isabel Varey, Director of Housing Service Development and Becky Palmer, Neighbourhoods Peer Leader at Stonewater we discuss how Tenant Satisfaction Measures (TSMs), are shaping our customer offering and operations. TSMs are designed to improve the sector for customers and we want to understand how Stonewater is using technology to adhere to the new measures...

We are joined by Retirement Living colleagues Linda Rayfield, Wellbeing & Community Capacity Delivery Manager (guest host) and Charlene Barnett, Wellbeing & Community Connector and Customer Engagement Coordinator, Kim Avantaggiato as we discuss what Stonewater is doing to tackle the digital divide and use of technology for our older generations.  We are are also joined by Pat Harvey a Retirement L...

Guest host Paul Blaydes, Assistant Director of Data at Stonewater joins the show with Kishore Rajendran from Microsoft in a discussion that Paula Palmer, our regular host tries to keep up with.  Explaining all about Microsoft Azure and it's many many benefits Paul and Kishore share how it has helped us to work better remotely, utilise our data to serve our customers more efficiently and what might...

Guest host Allison Howe, Stonewater Income Team  Leader joins regular host Paula Palmer on this episode with guests Emma Kernahan, Policy and Impact Lead at Clean Slate, a Longleigh Foundation partner and Stonewater customer Debbie.  Whilst Debbie shares her struggle with making ends meet after losing her job during covid  and the support she received from Stonewater and Clean Slate, Emma and Alli...

Guest host Nicky Mason, Stonewater Partnership Manager joins our regular host Paula Palmer on this episode with  guests Tracey Leatherland, also from Stonewater and Manjeev Makur, Longleigh Grants Officer as they explain about the partnership between Longleigh and Stonewater.  Discussing the impact of the cost of living crisis on customers and how Stonewater and Longleigh are able to help with ris...

Host Paula Palmer will be joined by guest host Emily Batchford and guests Holly Edwards and Kim Gibson to share their thoughts and provide insight on what Stonewater is doing to support it's customers and colleagues. Asking questions such as what support is available within Stonewater and beyond, how do we know what support our customers need and focusing on what we are doing to support with the e...