Incoming director general of the CBI John Cridland will give one of his first speeches in his new post when he addresses the annual HBF Policy Conference on March 31 in London. <br> <br> Cridland will be looking at the general business environment within which housebuilders are operating and the outlook for UK plc. <br> <br> Communities secretary Eric Pickles has been invited to speak on Localism and also speaking will be Richard Hill, deputy chief executive of the Homes and Communities Agency, and Zero Carbon Hub ceo Neil Jefferson. <br> <br> The conference will focus on the key issues facing the housebuilding industry in what is set to be a challenging year for housebuilders and those firms operating in the new homes sector. <br> <br> Leading HBF experts including chairman Stewart Baseley, director of economic affairs John Stewart and planning expert Andrew Whitaker who will be supported by a strong line up of keynote speakers and experts.<br> <br>