Direct Works Group — National Network for In-House Maintenance

Who it's for

Direct Works Group exists for the people
who do the work

The national network built around the practitioners, managers and leaders who run social housing maintenance services in-house — and the organisations that want to do it better.

For over 26 years — founded by the late Keith Simpson — Direct Works Group has brought in-house maintenance professionals together to share what works, challenge poor practice, and collectively raise standards across the sector.

Repairs & maintenance leads

Heads of repairs, IHMT managers, service delivery directors — responsible for the teams and the outcomes.

Asset & compliance managers

Managing stock condition, planned works, building safety and regulatory compliance across the portfolio.

Procurement & commercial professionals

Responsible for frameworks, supply chain, value for money and contractor relationships.

Performance & workforce leads

Driving KPI performance, operative development, scheduling and service improvement.

Executives & directors

Board-level visibility of sector direction, regulatory risk and what high-performing organisations actually do differently.

Events & Seminars

Three national in-person seminars and one online seminar a year, plus a full programme of virtual events, CPD webinars, sector awards and specialist working groups. So you're never solving the same problem alone — you learn what's working for organisations like yours, and build the relationships that make the job easier all year round.

Insight & Intelligence

Exclusive quarterly sector insight reports, with real data and expert analysis — often ahead of wider release. So you can see what's coming, make the case for change with evidence behind you, and plan ahead rather than scramble to catch up.

PeerPath Benchmarking

Our benchmarking platform for in-house teams — being built with members right now, so it measures what genuinely matters to you. The goal: a clear, confidential picture of how you compare to peers like you, so you can see your strengths and spot where to focus. Members are shaping it from the ground up.

National meetings 2026

Don't miss a moment

Both events Manchester city centre · open to all members and guests.

15July2026

Next Event

Direct Works In Person Seminar — Awaab's Law Phases 1/2/3

King's House Conference Centre, Manchester M1 7HB

The most comprehensive Awaab's Law event we've hosted — the full legislative picture from Phase 1 to Phase 3, in one room, in one day. Sessions on what Phase 1's first eight months have taught us, technology and customer relationships in damp & mould, and preparing for Phases 2 and 3. Approximately 5 hours of CPD. Limited spaces — book early.

8Oct2026

Direct Works National Seminar — People, Pressure & Performance

King's House Conference Centre, Manchester M1 7HB

Marking World Mental Health Day, our autumn seminar brings together the two pressures defining the sector — the RSH inspection regime and what C1, C2 and C3 really mean in practice, and the human cost of that pressure on our people. Honest learning from organisations on both sides of inspection, a frank look at whether C1 is sustainable for everyone, and wellbeing treated as central rather than an afterthought. Setting the sector agenda for the year ahead.

Independent · Active · On your side

Led by people who do the work

Direct Works Group is led by two independent consultants who know social housing repairs and maintenance from the inside. They've worked at every level, from the front line to the boardroom, and they're in the sector today. Not tied to any contractor or commercial interest: just focused on getting the work done right, and on sharing what they learn with the network.

Russell Thompson

CEO, Direct Works Group

Currently advising on repairs, maintenance & asset management across social housing

Mike Wilson

Group Operations Director

Leading operations across the group, supporting members and the wider sector

Four membership types

Find the membership that works for you

Straightforward options with transparent pricing. All prices exclude VAT.

Organisational Membership

Housing Providers

£875/yr + VAT

Housing Associations · Local Authorities · ALMOs · TMOs · Registered Providers

All Direct Works events

Specialist working groups

CPD-accredited webinars

Quarterly sector insight reports

Private networking group (Collaboro) — connect & ask members for advice

Industry Partner network access

Dedicated member contact

Innovation pilot groups

Professional Membership

Experienced Practitioners

£350/yr + VAT

3+ years in social housing · Individual sign-up, no employer required

All Direct Works events

CPD-accredited webinars

Specialist working groups

Private networking group (Collaboro) — connect & ask members for advice

Quarterly insight reports

Industry Partner network

Innovation pilot groups

Direct Works Awards

Early Career Membership

New Professionals

£99/yr + VAT

Under 3 years in sector or under 25 · Individual sign-up, no employer required

All Direct Works events

CPD-accredited webinars

Specialist working groups

Private networking group (Collaboro) — connect & ask members for advice

Quarterly insight reports

Industry Partner network

Innovation pilot groups

Direct Works Awards

Industry Partner Membership

Suppliers & Consultants

£1,295/yr + VAT

Contractors · Consultants · Tech & Software · Material & Equipment Suppliers

Online Partner Directory listing — searchable by housing providers

Brand visibility across all Direct Works channels

Sponsorship & advertising opportunities at events

Direct networking with housing provider members

CPD webinars, innovation pilots & insight reports

Trusted standing via Partner Code of Conduct

15 July 2026 · Manchester

In Person Seminar — Awaab's Law Phases 1/2/3

Full day programme · Members & invited guests

Full Agenda

Speakers

Chair's Message

The most comprehensive Awaab's Law event Direct Works has hosted — the full legislative picture from Phase 1 to Phase 3, in one room, in one day.

Running order

The Full Legislative Picture — Phase 1 to Phase 3

Chris Blackburn, Awaab's Council, sets out where we are and what's coming.

Panel: What Has the First Eight Months Taught Us?

Practitioners from across the sector share what Phase 1 has really meant on the ground.

Technology in Managing Damp & Mould

Madetech on how technology is changing the operational response.

Managing Customer Relationships — Damp & Mould

Project Alix on the tenant-facing challenge organisations can't afford to get wrong.

Phases 2 & 3 — Preparing for What's Coming

Chris Blackburn returns to walk through what your organisation needs to do now.

Workshop & Plenary

Table discussion, peer challenge, and an open Q&A with all speakers on stage.

CPD & timings

✓

Approximately 5 hours of CPD

Accredited by Direct Works. Full session timings will be confirmed nearer the event.

Chris Blackburn

Awaab's Council

The full legislative picture (Phase 1–3) & preparing for Phases 2 and 3

Madetech

Technology partner

Technology in managing damp & mould — the operational response

Project Alix

Customer experience

Managing customer relationships in damp & mould cases

PANEL

Practitioner Panel

Voices from across the sector

What the first eight months of Phase 1 have really taught us

Russell Thompson · CEO, Direct Works Group

Awaab's Law has changed our sector for good, and we are now at a genuinely pivotal moment. Eight months into Phase 1, most of us have moved past asking what the law requires and into the far harder question: how do we embed it — properly, consistently, and for every resident — in the day-to-day reality of running repairs? This seminar is built for exactly that moment.

The first half of the day is an honest look back. What has Phase 1 really meant on the ground — not in the guidance, but in the inspections, the timescales, the record-keeping and the conversations with tenants? We have brought practitioners who are living it to tell it straight, because the lessons of these first months are the foundation for everything that comes next.

And it is what comes next that makes this a must-attend day. Phases 2 and 3 are not a distant prospect — they are coming, and the organisations that come through them well will be the ones acting now rather than reacting later. Chris Blackburn will set out the full legislative picture and walk through what your organisation should be doing today to be ready. This is your chance to get ahead of the curve, not chase it.

The full legislative picture, the technology and customer-relationship challenges, and the practical question of what to do now — all in one room, in one day, with the people who actually do the work. If you run an in-house maintenance service, I would urge you not to miss it. Come ready to contribute, to challenge, and to leave with a plan. I look forward to welcoming you to King's House, Manchester on 15 July.

Russell Thompson · CEO, Direct Works Group

If you run in-house maintenance services,
this network was built for you