As the inaugural Specifier Summit (7 November) draws closer, learn more about who’ll be there, and the value in what they’ll have to say
Sustainability is becoming a genuine priority in construction – and the figures prove the point.
Data released by National Building Specification (NBS) and the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) shows that 70% of construction projects now incorporate sustainability targets, with a 13% increase in net zero projects compared to the previous year, and 64% of professionals having worked on such projects – up 15% on the last report.
But cost is still perceived as one of the biggest barriers to the adoption of sustainable construction materials and practice. This is why, in one of the industry’s most exciting recent developments, construction marketing specialists BCM Agency are hosting the first ever Specifier Summit, an event specifically to help professionals move construction sustainability conversations away from costs and towards benefits.
This event – the inaugural Specifier Summit – takes place on 7th November, and as it draws nearer, we wanted to explain more about who’ll be there, and the value in what they’ll have to say.
Below, we introduce some of the sponsors, supporters, and speakers, and let them describe their contributions, and the reasons for their involvement in the event, in their own words.
Sponsors joining the Specifier Summit include:
Futurebuild: the nation’s sustainable construction champion
Futurebuild have made it their mission to make a positive impact on the built environment.
For more than 20 years, they have been promoting sustainability, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in terms of innovation in sustainable building, fostering collaboration within the industry, and inspiring positive change in construction methods to create a more sustainable built environment.
The Summit will also see Futurebuild speaker Martin Hurn, event director, take the stage, to discuss the findings of the extensive, industry-wide research that Futurebuild have recently conducted with industry leaders to uncover insights and identify the key trends, challenges, and opportunities set to make an impact in the construction sector.
Martin says of the Summit: “This event is a must for construction industry professionals who need to understand more not just about sustainable methods and materials, but about how to articulate the benefits of these to customers and end-users, and move the conversation away from cost alone.”
“We’re very proud to be supporting it, and I’m very excited to be speaking there.”
BCC Consultancy: getting quality, safety, and sustainability right
BCC Consultancy is a leading Building Control Consultancy within the renowned Broste Rivers Ltd, a wholly-owned holding company which delivers building control and associated services. It was set up to help companies across the UK navigate the various stages of a construction project to build quality, safe, and sustainable buildings, with a collaborative approach to compliance.
Head of the BCC, David Aitchison, who will be speaking at the Summit, has praised the event’s focus on specifiers, and says he will use his presentation to highlight the importance of “consulting at the earliest project stages when specifiers are evaluating feasibility, costs, and time scales.”
He will also explain why sustainability “must be part of these discussions” and show how the consultancy is delivering on this requirement in its work with design teams in the high-risk buildings (HRB) sector.
Green Building Design: engineering better environmental outcomes
Green Building Design are a multidisciplinary consultancy, specialising in the delivery of sustainable, innovative, and practical building services design solutions.
Owner and director Simon Green will be speaking at the Summit, and his presentation will highlight many aspects of how to support the health and wellbeing of those who occupy the built environment, by providing environments that are comfortable, environmentally sound, functional and – of course – sustainable.
Simon has been an enthusiastic supporter of the Summit since the earliest stages of its planning, and comments that the “vast challenges” associated with sustainable construction – “the skills shortage, the lack of new building engineers coming up through the ranks, and the market’s obsession with fitters rather than experts” – are “badly in need of the open, and honest discussion this event will provide.”
Hertfordshire Chamber of Commerce: making sustainability everyone’s business
Hertfordshire Chamber of Commerce is a leading light in highlighting and fostering sustainable practices among businesses, industries, and professionals, in a county whose construction industry is worth many hundreds of millions of pounds.
The Chamber has consistently championed sustainability through organising and hosting sustainability-focused events and awards, underscoring its belief in the importance of environmentally responsible business strategies.
Spokesperson Mary Sykes says that the Chamber is “strongly supporting the Summit as this year’s go-to event for specifiers who are serious about sustainability.”
Mates in Mind: valuing the people behind better built environments
Mates in Mind is a leading UK charity focused on improving mental health and wellbeing across the construction sector. It provides the skills, clarity and confidence to businesses to help them build positive mental health in and through work, and do what’s right for its workers as well as the planet.
Spokesperson Laura Howdill says: “With an anticipated 150-plus specifiers from the construction industry, this summit offers an ideal platform to raise awareness and drive meaningful change for this critical cause.”
spAce Architectural Interiors:
spAce Architectural Interiors supplies speciality films designed for interior decoration, with the emphasis on sustainability as well as aesthetic appeal. With zero phthalate plasticisers, and free from heavy metals, its products are also specifically conceived to eliminate landfill by reviving existing interiors.
Scott Davis, architectural director, says “We’re really excited to be joining up to 150 other construction professionals at Specifier Summit 2024, where we’ll explore the role of sustainability in today’s economic climate. Don’t miss out on the conversation!”
How to take part
According to research from consultancy giant Deloitte, customers of companies in the construction sector are becoming more sustainability-conscious and placing greater pressure on developers to up their game on this front – in particular, according to 83% of respondents, sustainable design, development, and construction practices.
So, it’s certainly a timely event, and with distinguished headline speaker Sir Jonathon Porritt – ex-Green Party leader and UK Sustainable Development Commission chair – confirmed, the Summit combines high-profile policymakers and business influencers with experts in the sustainability detail.
It also promises to be an extremely effective networking environment – and for this reason, too, demand for places has, inevitably, been very high.
However, some tickets remain, and can be booked here: Specifier Summit 2024 – Book Now!
Watch this space for more updates on the Summit, and a post-event synopsis after 7th November.
