iON and CHC Unite to Lead New Member Community

Date: 09/07/25

iON Consultants and Community Housing Cymru (Cartrefi Cymunedol Cymru) announced a bold new partnership at the CHC One Big Conference 2025 in Llandrindod Wells. This exciting collaboration marks the launch of a new member community that brings together asset managers from across Wales's social housing sector and gives them a platform to share expertise, raise standards and drive innovation. 

Community Housing Cymru is the representative body for housing associations in Wales. This new initiative directly responds to feedback from CHC members calling for a dedicated space to share operational insights and collaborate on best practices in asset management. 

CHC members will gain access to a dedicated Housing Hub webpage offering a suite of technical resources, a WhatsApp group to enable effective real-time knowledge sharing, and a member-led agenda shaped by emerging industry trends and underpinned by CHC’s policy expertise. 

Members will also be invited to two technical forum each year, organised and led by iON’s Julian Ransom. Julian brings over 35 years of experience as a chartered building surveyor and more than 15 years of specialist expertise in compliance consultancy. He plays a key role in the HAMMAR/NHMF regional asset management and maintenance forums in England, and he will draw on this experience to shape a thriving member-led forum for social housing professionals in Wales. Commenting on this partnership, Julian said: 
   
“We are delighted to be partnering with Community Housing Cymru. This forum will unite professionals from across Wales's social housing network to collectively develop strategies that address sector challenges and strengthen the support provided to residents.” 

Julian is launching the community’s inaugural technical forum in Cardiff this September. The event will include an update on Transforming Homes’ retrofit pilot currently operating in Bristol and Swansea, a review of retrofit remediation options, and opportunities for networking and discussion. The following forum will take place in North Wales in Spring 2026. 

John Evison, director of iON Consultants, is delighted by the work being done by Julian and CHC. He said: 

“At iON, we’re proud of our Welsh roots. Wales is where many of our team are from, where many of us learnt our craft, and where we established our consultancy. That's why this partnership is especially meaningful, and we're excited to support asset managers in the social housing sector across Wales.” 

This new member community reflects both the CHC’s and iON’s commitment to adding long-term value to the Welsh social housing sector. John Evison, Richard Bennion and Julian Ransom attended the launch to celebrate the start of this exciting partnership. We look forward to working with the sector's asset managers and growing this dynamic, insightful platform. 

Read more insights here.

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