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Edge Debate 151 - Leadership for Sustainability in the Built Environment, 13th July 14.00-18.30 Woburn House WC1H 9HQ

An event at Woburn House in central London to discuss meeting sustainability goals, share ideas and highlight innovative practice. Following the event, attendees are invited to join networking drinks and canapes.

This in-person event brought together heads and directors of sustainability from the leading organisations in the built and natural environment sector; including property owners and developers, designers and consultants, contractors and managers; to discuss developments in meeting sustainability goals in practice, share ideas and highlight innovative practice. 

We hope that the event will provide an important opportunity to network with others in this fast-moving sector with presentations addressing not only the challenges around achieving net zero carbon and delivering on biodiversity improvements but also to hear from speakers on how they have made it work effectively within their organisations.

Successful leadership in this field is becoming critical not only for achieving global obligations under the Paris and Kunming-Montreal agreements and performing against ESG requirements but also for the success of the construction, built environment and property sectors as we all look forward to a future dominated by new approaches to address climate and biodiversity concerns.

Speakers included:

  • Ashley Wheaton, Vice Chancellor, UCEM

  • Hannak Vickers, Construction Leadership Council & Chief of Staff , MACE

  • Madeleine Gabriel, NESTA

  • Smith Mordak, CEO, UKGBC

  • Hero Bennettt, Head of Sustainability, Max Fordham

  • Joe Jack Williams, Partner FCBS

  • Andy Nolan, Director of Development and Sustainability, University of Nottingham

  • Chris Twinn, TwinnSustainabilityInnovation, NZCBS Governance Board

  • Amanda Clack, Partner & Regional CEO - EMEA, HKA

  • Richard Ellis, Director of Sustainability. Peabody

  • Guy Grainger, Global Head of Sustainability Services & ESG, JLL

  • Ruth Voigt, Environmental Sustainability Leader, Laing O’Rourke

  • Kayla Friedman, Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership

  • Claire Neale, Service Line Director, Nature Based Solutions, Atkins

  • Sara Edmonds, Co-Director retrofit Hub and co-founder Architects Climate Action Network (ACAN)

  • Jessica Broomhall, Sustainability & ESG, ICG

  • Penny Gowler, Director & Head of Sustainability, Elliott Wood

  • Richard Ellis, Director of Sustainability, Peabody

Venue: Woburn House Conference Centre, Tavistock Square London WC1H 9HQ

Date & Time: Thursday 13th July 2023, 14.00 - 18.30

The event was jointly organised by the Edge and UCEM with support from the CIC and CLC

Links to UCEM event reports:

UCEM INSPIRE #1 - Experts define built environment sustainability leadership

UCEM INSPIRE #2 - Setting built environment sustainability targets

UCEM INSPIRE #3 - Ensuring Long Term Sustainability Performance in the built environment