Social Tenant Access to Information Requirements (STAIRs) Digital Conference

Matt Baird has supported the Social Housing sector for more than 11 years in a multitude of ways, as Host of The Social Housing Round Table, as Co-Chair of the Board for Spring Housing, as a Social Housing Recruiter for over 11 years or as the host of events such as the South-West CIH Conference in 2023.

As someone with a real passion for the sector and a morale compass focused on those most in need, his ventures have always aimed to ensure the voices of all are heard whilst also encouraging debate and discussion which moves conversations and ideas forward, rather than leaves in a vacuum of complaining. He has recruited Heads of, Managers and Officers of Complaints teams nationally, keeping his finger on the pulse of such an ever-changing market whilst also consulting and guiding those he supports to truly value input from our own specialists and those externally.

Of his ventures, the most well-known is The Social Housing Round Table, a free weekly networking event for anyone and everyone to try and create change for the sector. It takes place on Zoom every Tuesday at 11am and with sessions covering everything from complaints and customer services through to sector culture and the risk register, it’s a place to encourage the sector to be honest with itself and truly get to the core of how we can make much needed change.

Jenny has over twenty years experience in the social housing and homelessness sectors. She has played a central role in shaping the regulator’s approach to the forthcoming Social Tenant Access to Information Requirements (STAIRS) aiming to strengthen the transparency and accountability of landlords to their tenants. Her work includes overseeing the recent consultation on how the regulator proposes to incorporate STAIRS into its consumer standards and code of practice. Prior to joining the Regulator of Social Housing Jenny worked for the Office for Students.

Having extensive governance, strategic and legal experience, Anne is the corporate lead for governance and compliance matters and the Company Secretary for the Golding Group. Having been a solicitor for more than 20 years, including seven years with city firm Norton Rose, Anne’s role encompasses compliance with regulatory standards, data governance and corporate health and safety.

Debbie Lambert is Company Secretary at East Midlands Housing Group (emh Group), based in Coalville in Leicestershire.  Debbie first became involved in social housing 22 years ago and, after working in Housing with Care and Support at a local Housing Association for four years, moved to the Housing Corporation (now Regulator of Social Housing), where she was a frontline Governance Regulator for 16 years, gaining an MA in Housing whilst there.  She joined emh Group in 2024 as Head of Governance, Risk and Assurance, leading the Governance function, Internal Audit, Risk Management and Data Protection service.  Debbie contributed to the NHF STAIRs Operational Guidance and, as well as recently being promoted to Company Secretary, is the STAIRs lead for emh Group.

​Toby is the Head of Information Governance and Data Protection Officer at The Guinness Partnership, a national housing provider. Toby leads Information Governance and Data Protection at The Guinness Partnership, shaping how a national housing provider protects information and empowers residents. With over two decades in the field, he champions smart, workable information governance across data protection, records management, information security and building safety – and is at the forefront of preparing Guinness for the new Social Tenants Access to Information Requirements. ​​

​His focus is simple: practical solutions that supports innovation, strengthens trust and puts residents first.​

Sonji Nurse is a Resident Board Member at Hexagon Housing Association, bringing together lived resident experience and more than 20 years of strategic leadership and change management expertise. Passionate about meaningful resident influence, she champions accountability, scrutiny, and service improvement, ensuring that resident voices help shape decision-making and drive better outcomes. Combining strategic insight with a deep understanding of the customer experience, Sonji works to challenge the status quo, strengthen governance, and support organisations to deliver lasting, resident-focused change.

Lydia Florence is the STAIRs Project Manager at the Housing Ombudsman Service, leading the implementation of the Social Tenant Access to Information Requirements complaints service. She has more than 20 years’ experience in complaints resolution, investigations, and social housing, and has played a key role in developing guidance, operational processes, and sector engagement initiatives that support transparency, accountability, and better outcomes for residents.

Matt Baird has supported the Social Housing sector for more than 11 years in a multitude of ways, as Host of The Social Housing Round Table, as Co-Chair of the Board for Spring Housing, as a Social Housing Recruiter for over 11 years or as the host of events such as the South-West CIH Conference in 2023.

As someone with a real passion for the sector and a morale compass focused on those most in need, his ventures have always aimed to ensure the voices of all are heard whilst also encouraging debate and discussion which moves conversations and ideas forward, rather than leaves in a vacuum of complaining. He has recruited Heads of, Managers and Officers of Complaints teams nationally, keeping his finger on the pulse of such an ever-changing market whilst also consulting and guiding those he supports to truly value input from our own specialists and those externally.

Of his ventures, the most well-known is The Social Housing Round Table, a free weekly networking event for anyone and everyone to try and create change for the sector. It takes place on Zoom every Tuesday at 11am and with sessions covering everything from complaints and customer services through to sector culture and the risk register, it’s a place to encourage the sector to be honest with itself and truly get to the core of how we can make much needed change.