CN RE:NEW - Retrofit in Focus

8:30 - 9:00

Morning Registration

9:00 - 9:05

Morning opening remarks

Construction News Editor

Colin Marrs , Editor of Construction News , kicks off the day with an unfiltered look at where the retrofit sector stands today.

Colin Marrs , Editor, Construction News

9:05 - 9:30

A Retrofit reality check: Metrics that matter- what are the outcomes?

Pulling data from CN and Glenigan, this session will provide a metric analysis of where the UK stands with retrofit, key areas for improvement and a framework for moving forward.

Allan Wilén , Economics Director, Glenigan

9:30 - 10:15

Re:Financing Retrofit: Smarter Access & Innovative Funding Models for Scalable Retrofits

This session will provide the audience with actionable insights on how to access government funding more efficiently, while leveraging innovative financing models to drive large-scale retrofits. The discussion will focus on tangible, real-world strategies for unlocking available grants, navigating complex funding processes, and combining public and private sector capital. Attendees will walk away with clear, implementable steps to navigate funding landscapes, secure financial support, and explore alternative financing mechanisms for accelerating retrofit projects.

Speakers:

Sam Ewuosho , Founder, The Next Lighthouse

Rafe Bertman, Build Environment Sustainability Lead, Enfield Council

Mark Clacy-Jones, Head of Real Estate Strategy, Aberdeen Investments

Jonathan Walker, Principal, Sustainable Investing, BGO

Jolynn Kek, Investment Director, Treasury, Better Society Capital

10:15 - 10:45

Morning Networking break

10:45 - 12:40

Commercial Stream

Transforming 17 Columbus Courtyard: LS Estates' approach to sustainable life sciences retrofit in Canary Wharf

10:45 - 11:05

This session will highlight LS Estates’ experience in delivering retrofit projects that balance sustainability, commercial realities, and long-term asset performance. Mark Swetman will share insights into the transformation of 17 Columbus Courtyard, located in Canary Wharf, from a former office building into a state-of-the-art life sciences hub.

He will explore how the project’s retrofit strategy reduces embodied carbon, overcomes complex structural and design challenges on a tight urban site, and aims to deliver flexible lab and office space meeting BREEAM Excellent and EPC A standards.

As Canary Wharf evolves, this landmark scheme demonstrates how adaptive reuse and sustainable design can reshape the built environment while supporting London’s growing life sciences sector.

Mark Swetman, Chief Executive, LS Estates

Facade retrofitting through digital Ingenuity

11:05 - 11:25

In this session, experts from Eckersley O’Callaghan will explore how digital design tools are helping their clients navigate the complexities of adaptive reuse in modern construction.

Duncan Walters , Director, Eckersley O’Callaghan

Hugh McGilveray , Director, Eckersley O’Callaghan

M&S Oxford Street retrofit: Where does the industry go from here?

11:25 - 11:45

The Marks & Spencer Oxford Street flagship store retrofit aimed to set a benchmark for sustainable, future-proof commercial spaces. This session examines the lessons learned and the practical takeaways from this high-profile project, emphasising the need for a more unified and systematic approach to retrofitting at scale.

Will Hurst , Editor, Architects Journal

Group Q+A

11:45 - 11:55

Building for the Future – Life Cycle Management in Commercial Retrofits

11:55 - 12:40

In this session, industry leaders will explore the importance of life cycle management in the context of commercial building retrofits.

Jamie Quinn , Sustainability Director, Related Argent

Caroline Harper , Interim Managing Director, Befirst London

Peter Henry , Director of Sustainability, Harwoth

Jaime Blakeley-Glover , Director, Lambert Smith Hampton

Public sector/ Residential Stream

Decarbonising Homes – One Job at a Time

10:45 - 11:15

This session will explore how we embed decarbonisation into the everyday decisions homeowners make.

Anna Scothern , Chief Executive | National Home Improvement Council. Chair | Construction Leadership Council RMI

Jon Vanstone , Competence, Compliance and Quality workstream

Retrofit Success Guideline

11:15 - 11:25

This session will explore the findings of the SHAP Retrofitting Success Report, which evaluates the latest strategies in decarbonising the housing sector.

Carl Yale , Board member, Sustainable Housing Acting Partnership , Regenerative Director, Lovell

The Hidden Threat: The Problems with Poor Eaves Insulation

11:25 - 11:45

Alex Boote, Product & Innovation Manager, ARC Building Solutions

Group Q+A

11:45 - 11:55

Transforming Communities – Systematic Retrofit for Residential & Public Sector Buildings

11:55 - 12:40

This session will focus on the importance of systematic approaches to retrofitting in the residential and public sectors.

Kingsley Clarke , Head of SCF (sw), Southern Construction Framework

Derek Horrocks , Chair and owner, Sustainable Building Services

Eoin Quiery , Head of Housing Strategy and Partnerships, Housing, Place Directorate, London Borough of Waltham Forest

Donna Nolan , Chief Executive, Watford Borough Council

12:40 - 13:40

Lunch

12:40 - 13:40

Lunch funding clinic (invite only)

12:50 - 13:40

13:40 - 15:15

Around the Table: Retrofit and Regeneration Stories and Solutions

13:40 - 14:30

Regenerating Industrial Estates with Holistic Solutions

Chris Leonard Regenerating Industrial Estates with Holistic Solutions & Development Director, Bloom Real Estate Ltd

Shopping Centre Futures – Replace, Reinvent or Revitalise?

Dr Steven Norris, Executive Director and National Head of Planning, Regeneration + Infrastructure, Lambert Smith Hampton –

Life Sciences Retrofit

Ating Liu , Life Sciences Retrofit & Head of London Cancer Hub Capital Programme, Suffolk

Warehouse Sustainability and Energy Efficiency

Clare Bottle , Warehouse Sustainability and Energy Efficiency & Chief Executive, UKWA

Retrofitting University Campuses: Cambridge Study

Andy Levy ,Cambridge Study & Retrofitting University Campuses, Head of Capital Projects, University of Cambridge

Community-focused Co-living Retrofit

Cornerstone Beech St Transformation Hub Living

Powering the Future: Regenerative Retrofit & the Net-Zero Value Toolkit

14:30 - 15:15

Achieving net-zero through retrofit requires a holistic approach, balancing economic, environmental, and social outcomes. This session explores how decision-makers can move beyond single-issue priorities and make smarter, long-term retrofit investments.

Anna Hollyman , Co-Head of Policy & Places, UKGBC

Timothy Clement , Director of Sustainability and Social value, Morgan Sindall

Clare Bottle , Chief Executive, UKWA (United Kingdom Warehousing Association)

Jo Gay , Head of Environment, Southend Council

Ron Lang , Regional Director, AtkinsRéalis

Frank Blande , Sustainability Lead, GPE

Breakout Session: Critical Solutions for Scaling and Industrialising Retrofit

13:40 - 15:15

This session will focus on the critical challenges and solutions for scaling retrofit, particularly in response to the UK’s aging stock. As we face the need to retrofit millions of homes and buildings, this session will bring together industry leaders to discuss systematic changes necessary to overcome the barriers to scaling, from procurement to workforce capacity. The session will explore how to innovate safely, improve procurement models, and address fragmented supply chains, ensuring that retrofit projects can be delivered at scale, efficiently, and with quality outcomes.

Andrew Carpenter , Chief Executive, Construction Excellence Midlands

Rico Wojtulewicz , Head of Policy and Market Insight, National Federation of Builders (NFB)

Mike Raven , Head of Sustainability, NACP

Paul Emmett , Commercial Manager, West Yorkshire Combined Authority | Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership

Sam Organ , associate professor in building sustainability, ESG director, University of the West of England, Black Cat Building Consultancy

15:15 - 15:45

Networking break

15:45 - 16:05

Balancing Act: Technical Compliance and Risk Management in Retrofit

Retrofit is never one-dimensional. From technical compliance under the new Building Safety Regime to the commercial realities of shifting scopes, insurance accountability, and shared risk, today’s projects demand agility, clarity, and collaboration.

This session, led by Taffy Booth, Studio Booth, explores two live case studies delivered in collaboration with Tier 1 contractors, specialist contractors, consultants, regulators, landlords, and residents, highlighting the coordination and risk management challenges unique to façade remediation and cladding replacement projects.

Case Study 1: A technically complex remediation scheme involving façade removal, fire stopping, and layered compliance. With resident engagement, building control collaboration, and cost awareness at its core, the project highlights how compliance can be navigated without losing commercial discipline.

Case Study 2: A combustible cladding replacement project where scope changes, health and safety risks, and insurance considerations tested delivery models. The project raised crucial lessons on risk sharing, accountability, and cross-disciplinary collaboration.

Together, these examples shine a spotlight on the balancing act of retrofit, where technical compliance, insurance governance, risk management, and cost awareness intersect across multidisciplinary teams.

Taffy Booth , Design Manager, Studio Booth

16:05 - 16:15

Risk & Insurance – Considerations & Solutions

This session will highlight the critical role of the insurance market in retrofit projects. By aligning stakeholders, addressing risks, and fostering collaboration, we can drive scalable, impactful solutions that meet industry needs sustainably.

Sam Hiller , Partner, Construction, Gallagher

16:15 - 16:25

Group Q+A

Sam Hiller , Partner, Construction, Gallagher

Taffy Booth , Design Manager, Studio Booth

16:25 - 17:00

Scaling Retrofit: Critical Solutions

Building on breakout discussions, the final session will dive into systemic solutions that address procurement challenges, workforce development, and innovation in retrofit. Experts will discuss actionable steps for creating a scalable, efficient retrofit ecosystem that tackles the aging stock, fosters innovation, and delivers quality outcomes.