After a welcome and introductions, the day kicked off with keynote speaker Martin Townsend of BRE, who gave an interesting presentation on ‘The challenges ahead’. This was followed by two panel debates, ‘What is sustainable development?’ and ‘Are environmental considerations restricting planning?’ Guest panellists Ian Heasman of Taylor Wimpey, James Willcox of Willmott Dixon Construction, Anthony Coumbe from HS2 Area North, James Carpenter from Solihull Metropolitan Borough and Dave Gordon of Squire Patton Boggs joined RSK experts Lorna Hurst, Rob Edwards and Hannah McGinn to debate and answer the audience’s questions. Lucy Thomas and Haydn Keen chaired, and Claire Knighton opened and introduced.
The event also presented the latest technologies used to support development projects, with RSK representatives exhibiting on geophysical and topographical survey services, web mapping and GIS, air quality monitoring and remediation under one roof, laboratory services, aerial surveying, surveillance and geomatics services, asbestos in soil, eDNA for aquatic species monitoring, land use, planning and viability studies for renewable energy solutions, and materials and structures.
Structural Soils out in full force
Delegates got the opportunity to network and access the Thinktank, Birmingham’s award-winning science museum.
“I had great response from the panellists, who all enjoyed the format and content,” added Haydn. “The networking and expositions also worked well and I never saw a client without an RSK person or three around them.”
“RSK came across very well and we impressed the speaker, panellists and our clients. I spoke to all the external panel members and they were very impressed with the day and enjoyed being part of it. One panellist even said that he’s going to suggest that his company uses a panel format like ours at their annual conference. I spoke to several clients who all said they enjoyed the debates and thought using Sli.do was great,” concluded Jane Rigby, events manager.