We are:

Our Services

  • We design and lead research projects through our think-and-do lens.

    This could be research to find solutions to problems, or capturing learning from completed work.

    Our research is always outcomes-focused with the goal of enabling future projects.

    Discover our research.

  • We offer bespoke consultancy to unlock housing challenges.

    We lead projects, change management programmes and process reviews. We facilitate ‘deep dives’ into particular challenges and formulate strategies for next steps. We also do a lot of other things.

    Our method is designed to be flexible, to empower our clients and to embed knowledge within your organisation.

    How can we help you?

  • Could a housing festival help tackle the housing crisis in your city?

    Our team has years of experience coming alongside cities to enable innovation and change.

    Every city is different. We combine our research, problem solving and leadership skills to help you unlock what is most needed where you live.

    Read about the Bristol Housing Festival.

  • Our events are purpose-driven and outcome-focused, and designed to drive innovation and change.

    We host webinars, roundtables, conferences, exhibitions, among others.

    Need help with an event? Our team offers support with every aspect of event planning, from forming a strong concept, planning and administration to hosting and follow up activities.

    Explore our events.

  • We host a design competitions through an innovation lens.

    Do you have a site and clear social outcome?

    We can support you to find the right partner through a design competition.

    Read about our design competitions.

 
 

Interested in any of our services, or perhaps something not listed here? Please get in touch to see how we can help.

We are a think-and-do tank.  

Our goal is to find innovative and scalable solutions, implemented and refined in the real world. We lead projects, initiate and convene conversations, and facilitate change working with experts collaborating to solve complex and wicked* problems.  

By bringing different ideas together and creating a shared and practical wisdom we help people move forward in a new way, incubating progress step-by-step.

 

Meet the Team

  • Jez Sweetland - Project Director

    Jez has initiated and managed strategic development in a variety of settings. His previous positions include CEO of Guildhall Barrister’s Chambers, and CEO of a charitable national skills training organisation. He founded the Bristol Housing Festival in 2018 and believes collaboration is the key to lasting social development. Jez lives in Bristol with his wife, Joanna and his three children.

    LinkedIn

  • Jessie Wilde - Deputy Project Director

    Jessie is passionate about social justice and equality. Her previous positions included roles working for a leading anti-slavery organisation and she has an MSt in Social Innovation at the Cambridge Judge Business School. As co-founder she is jointly responsible for the development and delivery of the Housing Festival. Her work is motivated by her conviction of the value and dignity of every person.

    LinkedIn

  • Dr Ellen Grist - Research And Evaluation Lead

    Ellen is a Chartered civil engineer with a background in systems thinking. Her doctoral research explored innovative and sustainable materials and technologies in construction, and she has written a number of academic papers on this topic. Ellen is passionate about community development and reducing environmental impact through shared facilities. Ellen also manages a popular cafe-laundrette in Bristol.

    LinkedIn

  • Rev. Nicola Harris - Chaplain For Housing, Bristol Diocese

    Nicola was appointed as Chaplain For Housing in Bristol Diocese and Associate Curate to the Bristol Cathedral in July 2021. She became Associate Vicar at St Peter’s Lawrence Weston and St Andrew’s Avonmouth in June 2024 and continues her role as Chaplain for Housing,

    She is passionate about serving the community of Bristol and building partnerships between local communities, businesses, charities and faith organisations and currently chairs the Bristol Temporary Accommodation Action Group (TAAG).

    Her background is in Occupational Therapy and she lives in Bristol with her husband, two daughters (and two dogs!)

    LinkedIn

  • Jessie Hayden - Projects and Communications Lead

    Jessie has an MSc Sociology and is passionate about the role of social housing in reducing inequalities. She has been involved with the Housing Festival supporting the founders since its inception. Jessie leads on key projects including Bristol’s entry to the Climate Smart Cities Challenge, which included consultation work for UN-Habitat. Jessie also leads on Housing Festival design competitions, which she facilitates through an innovation lens to help developers achieve social outcomes. She has a background in communications and is invaluable in helping our team with building stakeholder engagement, event management, policy research and reporting.

    LinkedIn

  • Andrew Stansbury - Project Development Lead

    Andrew joins the Bristol Housing Festival having worked with various charities in Bristol over the past 10 years. His passion for housing comes from seeing how poor, unsuitable accommodation often plays a significant role in social and educational exclusion. Andrew lives in Bristol with his wife and 2 children.

    LinkedIn

  • Sarah Chilcott - Special Advisor, Planning

    Sarah has spent the last 15 years working to improve the process of planning permission in England, most recently as Managing Director at Planning Portal.

    Sarah believes that everyone deserves a home and is driven by the country’s need to build more affordable, sustainable and high-quality houses in the places we need to live and work.

    Alongside her work with Housing Festival, Sarah works with other organisations using technology and data to improve the planning process, as well as providing leadership and innovation consultancy to SMEs.

    LinkedIn

collaborators

 

Partners