Twilight Talks

The Green Register's early evening talks supported by Ecomerchant: together promoting ethical, healthy sustainable building materials

The Green Register has proudly launched a new series of events. On the second Monday of each month, we’ll be running Twilight Talks - a relaxed and informal string of events on sustainable building matters to complement our regular training topics. Each one-hour event will be FREE of charge and feature short talks from one or more speakers. With Q&A and discussion sessions throughout, everyone is invited to be part of the conversation. We’ll be holding Twilight talks at 5-6pm, in the sweet spot between work and dinner – so join us to nourish the mind before replenishing the body!

Sustainability and Modern Methods of Construction: How SMEs will be key to growth

Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) and offsite manufacturing are increasingly being seen as a key part of the building industry and are set to provide key opportunities to improve productivity and attract new talent to the industry.

The CITB predicts that nearly 50% of all housing in the next five years could be built using Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) but less than 17% of construction SMEs have any knowledge or understanding of MMC systems. Without the sufficient upskilling of the local supply chain, traditional Construction SME’s will be at risk of falling behind.

Working together Building Growth South West, Bristol Housing Festival and MOBIE are helping to deliver Workforce for the Future on behalf of the West of England Combined Authority.

The project will support traditional construction SMEs across the West of England through fully funded MMC training – helping to bridge the skills gap and futureproof the local workforce.

During this month’s Twilight Talk, the project team will share more about the project and why it’s important and give a chance for you to ask your questions.

Agenda

17.00 - Welcome to the talk and introductions

17.05 - Jez Sweetland/Jessie Wilde (Bristol Housing Festival)

17.15 - Phil Stott/Lisa Saunders (YTKO)

17.25 - Mark Southgate (MOBIE)

17.35 - Q&A, Discussion, Networking

18.15 - Close

About the Speakers

Jez Sweetland, Project Director, Bristol Housing Festival

Jez has initiated and managed strategic development in a variety of settings.

His previous positions include CEO of Guildhall Barrister’s Chambers, and CEO of a charitable national skills training organisation. He founded the Bristol Housing Festival in 2018 and believes collaboration is the key to lasting social development.

Jez lives in Bristol with his wife, Joanna and his three children.

Jessie Wilde, Deputy Project Director, Bristol Housing Festival

Jessie is jointly responsible for the development and delivery of the festival. Her previous roles included working for a leading anti-slavery organisation, developing key stakeholder relationships and supporting organisational growth.

Jessie is passionate about social justice and equality. Her work is motivated by her conviction of the value and dignity of every person. She is currently undertaking a MSt in Social Innovation at the Cambridge Judge Business School.

Mark Southgate, Chief Executive, MOBIE

Mark Southgate is Chief Executive of the charity MOBIE – Ministry of Building Innovation and Education.  MOBIE exists to engage, educate and inspire young people in home design, building and manufacture and to transform home building into a clean, precision engineered and efficient industry. Mark is responsible for overseeing all MOBIE’s activities including inspiring a new generation to take up careers in and reshape the home building, built environment and construction professions.

Mark is a chartered town planner with 35 years’ experience in planning, environment and management roles in local government, non-governmental organisations and central government agencies. Prior to joining MOBIE, Mark was Director of Major Casework at The Planning Inspectorate with responsibility for planning inquiries, plan examinations and nationally significant infrastructure planning applications, and he lead on workforce planning and customer engagement and experience.  Previously he was Director of Casework with responsibility for planning, enforcement and environmental appeals.

He has also worked in various policy, operational and management roles at Tonbridge and Malling Council in Kent, the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds and the Environment Agency.
 

Twilight Talks are supported by Ecomerchant.