Programme

Morning Registration

8:30 - 9:00

Morning opening remarks

9:00 - 9:05

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

Re:Align: The Government’s retrofit blueprint

9:05 - 9:35

What’s next for UK policy, funding, and regulation in retrofit? Looking at Why retrofit is so necessary.

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

9:50 - 10:35

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

Morning Networking break

10:35 - 11:05

Breakout Session: Critical Solutions for Scaling and Industrialising Retrofit

10:10 -11:35

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)
Alison Nicholl , Head of Constructing Excellence, BRE
Mike Raven , Head of Sustainability, NACP
Paul Emmett , Commercial Manager, West Yorkshire Combined Authority | Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership

Re:Thinking Facade retrofitting through digital Ingenuity

11:25 - 11:45

Streamed Content: Commercial

Hugh McGilveray , Director, Eckersley O’Callaghan

Retrofit Success Guideline

11:25 - 11:45

Streamed Content: Public Sector/Residential

This session will explore the findings of the SHAP Retrofitting Success Report, which evaluates the latest strategies in decarbonising the housing sector. Key topics will include innovative approaches to low-carbon housing, successful case studies, and the role of public, private, and third-sector collaboration in driving retrofitting projects.

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

RE:Question: Group Q+A

11:45 - 12:00

Streamed Content: Commercial

Re:Question: Group Q+A

11:45 - 12:00

Streamed Content: Public Sector/Residential

Building for the Future – Life Cycle Management in Commercial Retrofits

12:00 - 12:40
Streamed Content: Commercial

Panel Overview:

In this session, industry leaders will explore the importance of life cycle management in the context of commercial building retrofits. With a growing focus on sustainability and long-term value, what does it mean to build for the future? How can commercial properties be retrofitted with the full life cycle in mind, from energy efficiency to adaptability? This panel will dive into the strategies, tools, and forward-thinking approaches that ensure commercial buildings remain functional, efficient, and sustainable for decades to come.

Kai Liebetaz , head of nature, UKGBC Jamie Quinn , Sustainability Director, Related Argent
Tim Downes , Development Director, British Land

Transforming Communities – Systematic Retrofit for Residential & Public Sector Buildings

12:00 - 12:40
Streamed Content: Public Sector/Residential

Panel Overview:

This session will focus on the importance of systematic approaches to retrofitting in the residential and public sectors. As we face increasing pressure to meet sustainability targets and address housing needs, a more holistic, strategic, and long-term approach to retrofitting is crucial. Panellists will explore how to scale retrofit projects effectively, optimise operational performance, and ensure sustainability across entire portfolios. What can be done to overcome challenges, improve efficiency, and make retrofitting a transformative process for communities?

Kingsley Clarke , Head of SCF (sw), Southern Construction Framework
Derek Horrocks , Chairperson, Sustainable Building Services

Funding Clinic – Crafting the Future of Retrofit Investment (Invite only)

12:40 - 14:20

Sam Ewuosho , Founder, The Next Lighthouse

Public Sector, Residential and Commercial

This practical, hands-on workshop will build off the morning’s financing session, and guide attendees through how to effectively apply for grants, demonstrate financial viability in business cases, and secure funding for retrofit projects.

Each substream (Residential, Public, Commercial, Industrial) will have its own dedicated speaker, ensuring focused insight tailored to the unique challenges and opportunities of each sector.

To maximise value, each group will also complete targeted tasks designed to address the specific barriers they face—making this a highly relevant and results-driven clinic for all participants.

Afternoon networking break

14:40 - 15:10

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

15:10 - 15:40

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 using a value Toolkit.

How can the Value Toolkit help decision-makers balance sustainability, cost, and social impact? What does a ‘regenerative retrofit’ approach look like in practice? How do we integrate circular economy principles, supply chain resilience, and embodied carbon reduction into retrofit strategies?

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, CLC Industrialising workforce
Frank Blade, Sustainability Lead, GPE

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

15:50 - 16:00

The Marks & Spencer Oxford Street flagship store retrofit aimed to set a benchmark for sustainable, future-proof commercial spaces. Despite its ambitious vision, the project faced significant challenges, including delays and contentious debates. 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

Insurers Address

16:00 - 16:10

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

Scaling Retrofit: Critical Solutions

16:10 - 16:50

Feedback from the mornings Break out session

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.

Key topics will include:

1. Revolutionising Procurement to enable large-scale retrofit delivery
2. Breaking Down Systemic Barriers for quicker and more efficient project delivery
3. Innovating Safely within retrofit to enhance performance and compliance
4. Building the Workforce to meet retrofit demand

This session will outline the critical changes needed to ensure retrofit projects are scaled effectively, meet safety standards, and contribute to the UK’s long-term sustainability goals.

Speakers:

Andrew Carpenter , Chief Executive, Construction Excellence Midlands
Rico Wojtulewicz , Head of Policy and Market Insight, National Federation of Builders (NFB)
Alison Nicholl , Head of Constructing Excellence, BRE
Mike Raven , Head of Sustainability, NACP
Paul Emmett , Commercial Manager, West Yorkshire Combined Authority | Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership

Closing remarks 16:50 - 16:55

Colin Marrs , Editor, Construction News