Speakers
Please Click HERE to View the 2025 Programme.
Andrew Cusack, Development Manager – HUB Living
Having gained experience internationally through working in Ireland, New York and the U.K. Andrew brings a wide range of skills, which include work on large scale residential, high-end corporate offices and retail, along with the multi-media and hospitality sectors. Over the past six years, Andrew has worked on a number of large and complex BTR and mixed-use schemes.
Cecily Davis, Partner – Fieldfisher
Cecily is an experienced and highly regarded construction and engineering lawyer. She has advised on many notable projects both in the UK and overseas. Her practice spans the real estate, energy and infrastructure sectors. She drafts and negotiates a range of documents, including those based on FIDIC, IChemE, NEC and JCT but much of her work involves bespoke arrangements.
Daniel Moore, Partner – PLP Architecture
Daniel has substantial experience working on projects in the United Kingdom and across Europe. He brings an extensive understanding of the planning regulations and policies in London to our design teams, having worked on many projects across the Capital.
Dan Norman, Head of Specification – OBEX
Dan Norman, Head of Specification at OBEX, brings over 30 years of construction experience, with the last 8 focused on compliance and performance in façade membranes. A trusted advisor to specifiers, he offers practical insight gained from extensive on-site work across the UK. Dan’s expertise lies in sealing systems that enhance building safety, sustainability, and weathertightness—making him a valuable voice in discussions around the Building Safety Act.
Dav Bansal, Partner – Howells
The Octagon presents the next generation of high rise designs where ‘building less is more’ to unlock hundreds of new homes in a well-connected central location. Making the most of its setting on the Birmingham ridge and at the northern gateway of the Paradise development, the 155-metre high skyscraper has become a city landmark with each apartment enjoying a generous 13-metre facet of the Octagon form.
Duncan Lochhead, Commercial Sustainability Manager – AkzoNobel Decorative Coatings
Duncan is an expert in driving sustainability within the decorative coatings industry. With over 30 years of experience in specification, colour and sustainability, he is convinced that coatings can positively impact aesthetics, substrate lifecycles and the wellbeing of building users through a modern approach to coatings technology.
Federico Ortiz, Head of Programme – New London Architecture
Federico is Head of Programme, leading NLA’s research, publications, exhibitions and programme of events, as well as the NLA Expert Panels and the New London Agenda.
Ian Crickmore, Technical Director – Polypipe
Ian Crickmore, is the Technical Director at polypipe.
Ian Emmerson, Director – Carey Jones Chapman Tolcher
A dynamic and passionate Project Architect, with over 10 years of multidisciplinary experience throughout the industry which has seen Ian take a number of schemes through planning and site delivery.
Joe Campion, Regional Director – Socotec
Joe Campion has over 30 years of experience of working in Building Control. This includes 11 years spent at Lincoln City Council, the Technical Manager for Butler & Young Ltd, and a founding Director of Quadrant Building Control. Joe is currently a Director of SOCOTEC Building Control and works closely with SOCOTEC’s BSR multi-disciplinary team as well as having responsibilities for a region of three offices within the East Midlands.
Luke Askwith, Senior Associate – Gensler
Ever wondered if tall buildings can truly be sustainable? In this talk, I will draw on innovative tall buildings from Gensler’s global portfolio that give us hints about the future of tall buildings and their role in sustainable urban development. We’ll explore how future tall buildings will be designed with low embodied carbon around circular principles that minimise waste; how they will be designed to last for centuries, adaptable to evolving needs; and how they will be utilised around the clock through diverse programs and events, ensuring they are always occupied.
Midori Ainoura, Partner PLP Architecture
Midori has two decades of professional experience with a focus on complex office, master planning, residential, academic and institutional projects across the UK, the US, Europe and Asia. Her site specific and highly contextual design approach capitalises on the urban and environmental potential of each project and she brings an enriched sense of place that is carefully woven into the fabric of her work.
Nick Atkinson, Director – Ambar Kelly
Company Director, Nick’s focus is on sales and business development. He has an easy style described by some as “unique”.
Richard Clark, Senior Fire Engineer – National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC)
Richard’s career in fire started over 21 years ago as a firefighter in the London Fire Brigade. He moved into a variety of roles in fire safety regulation with South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue for over 13 years. For the last 6 years, he has worked with the National Fire Chiefs Council as a Senior Fire Engineer with the Protection Team. He is the Chair of the NFCC Fire Engineering and Technical Standards group and represent NFCC on a range of British Standards Committees and standards.
Saeed Talebi, Associate Professor – University of BCU
Dr Saeed Talebi is an associate professor at the College of Built Environment. Saeed’s research interests focus on the intersection between theory and practice. He has led research teams as either Principal Investigator or Co-Investigator on funded projects, particularly in the fields of (a) digital examination of critical infrastructure using emerging surveying methods and machine learning techniques, (b) Digital Twins to improve the design, construction, and operations of buildings and infrastructure, and (c) the application of AI to generate platforms in modular construction projects.
Simon Smith, Associate Director – AKT II
Simon is an Associate Director leading the AKT II Manchester Studio, he brings over 16 years of experience of working in the north west region and beyond. His journey began at the University of Bath before moving to Manchester to hone his skills and passion for structural engineering.
Simone Miriana, Director of Envelopes – AKT II
As the Envelope team Director, Simone ensures design excellence, manages global client relationships, and oversees commercial and residential projects. His expertise spans diverse markets, including the UK, Australia, the Middle East, and North America.
Steve Watts, Director – Turner & Townsend
Steve has over 25 years of experience in the industry. Before setting up alinea consulting with five long-standing colleagues, he spent 15 years at Davis Langdon, where he has worked with many industry-leading developers and a host of top designers on difficult projects, large and small.
Will Dyson, Placemaking Director – Eastern City Business Improvement District
Will works for Primera, where he is Placemaking Director for four of the City of London’s Business Improvement Districts (BIDs), Aldgate Connect, Cheapside Business Alliance, Culture Mile BID and EC BID. He has more than 10 years’ experience in the BID industry, having previously held a variety of roles in business improvement districts across central London.
