Advancing the interests of the home building industry

Influencing

HBF is active in influencing Government policy in the UK and gives all members a voice on current issues through inclusive and specialist representation. By co-ordinating an industry wide response in its approach to ministers and Government personnel, HBF ensures that the industry’s views carry more weight than would individual member approaches. This can be particularly useful to smaller members and is valued by Government.

Consulting

HBF responds to consultation documents on behalf of the home building industry following wide consultation with members through its national and regional committee structure and through regular more informal member contact.

HBF has regular effective contact with the ministerial team and officials within CLG, Treasury, No 10 Policy Unit, DTI, Bank of England, key House of Commons Select Committees, MPs and Government Regional Offices.

Monitoring

Members have the comfort of knowing that HBF is continually monitoring national and international legislative policy and activity and other industry developments which may have an impact on members’ business interests. Information and advice on these issues is provided by regular briefing notes and key HBF communications.

Representing

HBF works with a growing number of external bodies in both the private and public sectors during the year. Regular contacts include other trade federations, think tanks, research bodies and campaign groups in addition to national and local Government and regulatory bodies whose remit may impact the business climate for home building.

Leading

Proposals for a ten year timetable to work towards a zero carbon standard for new homes is at the top of the HBF agenda and will remain a major focus for some time to come.

Through its shared chairmanship of the 2016 Taskforce HBF is actively engaging with Government and key stakeholders to identify and find solutions to the barriers to the delivery of zero carbon homes.

Supporting the home building industry

Policy Team

Members are welcome to seek advice from HBF’s team of policy experts on a range of matters including planning, health and safety, technical and environmental, economic affairs, media relations, taxation, skills and training and employment. The Policy Team are able to put members in touch with the various HBF committees and working parties and provide introductions to other members who are willing to share their own experience.

Clcik here to view some of our Key Policy Achievements

Briefings

HBF publishes a number of briefing notes throughout the year to inform members of policy changes and new working practices which may affect their business. These cover issues as wide ranging as national planning policy, health and safety, Home Information Packs, employment and skills issues and a variety of technical and environmental matters.

Research

HBF members have an opportunity to participate in, and access to the results of, research undertaken by HBF, often in partnership with other interested bodies. The results of research are shared with members to take forward according to their own individual needs and are reported by way of member briefings.

• The HBF Monthly Survey provides a unique statistical service measuring trends in the new homes sector and is reported exclusively in Housing Market Report.

• Housing Market Intelligence Report. Members may subscribe to this important publication which provides critical data and analysis of the house building industry.

Marketing and media relations

HBF is the authoritative voice for the home building industry to the trade and consumer press on all matters relating to the industry. It appears regularly in all media both as the instigator of news through its press releases, publication of research, surveys and reports and by providing industry comment for a number of key newspapers and trade magazines and broadcast media.

Website

www.hbf.co.uk offers a valuable resource with access to a comprehensive range of information and member services which include: -

• Dedicated member section

• Consultation responses

• Research documentation

• Member briefings

• News, press releases and media coverage

• Details of conferences, seminars and member meetings

• Details of networking and social events

• Links to useful sources of information and relevant sites

Regular Communications

HBF regular member communications include:

• Weekly News Summary – a weekly round up of key industry news and events sent by email each Friday.

• Chairman’s Report – reporting on HBF policy engagement and political developments each month.

• HBF News – a quarterly newsletter highlighting key topics, news,policy developments and member activity.

• Housebuilder Magazine – members are entitled to receive a free monthly subscription to Housebuilder – the leading industry publication.

• HMR – a subscription based round up of economic issues which provides an important analysis of industry data.

• Annual Housing Market Intelligence Report – available on subscription.

Conferences, Seminars, Workshops

HBF organises a wide range of conferences and events, with top-level speakers from Government and industry.

HBF members also benefit from subsidised rates for attendance at Housebuilder Media conferences, exhibitions and events including the Annual two day Housebuilding Exhibition and Housing Market Intelligence conference.

In the past events have included: Zero-carbon Summit, Policy Conference, Code for Sustainable Homes Conference, Planning Conference, Technical Conference, Design Conference, CIS Seminars, Health and Safety Breakfast briefings, Graduates Conference, RDL Seminars and Marketing seminars.

Networking

Members may take advantage of opportunities to meet fellow members and key influencers to exchange views and share their experiences at HBF business meetings and social events.

These include: Regional MDs dinner meetings, Open Council meetings, AGM and Annual industry lunch, HBF Golf Day, Innovation Awards Dinner, HBF Christmas Ball, South West Ball, North East Social Dinner, North West Social Dinner, Annual Wales Dinner and the Annual Yorkshire Dinner.

Sponsorship

HBF conferences and events offer many excellent sponsorship opportunities for both home builder and supplier members and the HBF Marketing Department works with such sponsors to maximise the benefits to member companies.