Speakers
Daniel Bennett
Kitesh Patel
Gemma Smith
Session
This roundtable session will examine how housing risk managers can provide robust assurance to Audit Committees and Boards through clear, sector‑focused risk reporting. Discussion will be grounded in key social‑housing risk themes, including building safety and compliance, damp and mould oversight, repairs and maintenance performance, tenant engagement and complaints, financial resilience, and development‑related risks.
Participants will be divided into groups of four to six, with each group exploring an assurance‑related question linked to one of these core risk areas. Groups will then present their insights to the wider forum, enabling a collaborative discussion on strengthening assurance frameworks across the sector.
Kitesh Patel MBA is an accomplished risk, audit, and internal controls leader with extensive experience across the public, private, and social housing sectors. Currently serving as Director of Risk at Places for People, he plays a key role in risk, organisational resilience and governance across one of the UK’s largest social enterprises.
With a career spanning senior roles at Volkswagen Group UK Ltd, Mercedes-Benz UK Ltd, and the Welland Internal Audit Consortium, Kitesh has built a reputation for designing and embedding pragmatic, commercially focused risk and audit frameworks that enable organisations to make confident, well‑governed decisions.
He also contributes his expertise as an Independent Committee Member at Acis Group and as a Joint Audit, Risk & Assurance Panel Member for Leicestershire Police, helping public and non-profit bodies strengthen assurance, governance, and accountability.
Kitesh holds an MBA from The Open University and is professionally qualified with the Chartered Institute of Internal Auditors; Fellow of CIPFA (FCPFA); Certified Internal Auditor (CIA),and Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA).
Known for his values‑driven leadership, commitment to continuous improvement, and advocacy for diversity and inclusion, Kitesh blends strategic thinking with a practical approach—supporting organisations to manage risk proactively while enabling people and performance to thrive.
Louise has worked in social housing for over 20 years. She has worked at Ongo Homes since stock transfer in 2007 working mainly with strategy, performance, policy, health & safety, internal audit, and risk management.
Louise is currently Head of Governance and Assurance with responsibility for: governance, risk and assurance, health & safety, legal services, and home ownership
Louise holds a Masters degree in Housing Policy and Practice and is a qualified Risk Practitioner with an Internal Diploma in Risk Management for the IRM, Nebosh Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety, with certificates in assurance from the IIA and Certified Data Protection Officer.
