North East England Construction Summit 2022

Tim is an architect based in Newcastle upon Tyne. Graduating from Newcastle University in 1990 and qualifying in 1992 he has been involved with a diverse range of realised building projects with contract values between £30,000 and £25m.

In November 2000 he founded his own practice, xsite architecture, that became a LLP in 2008. As well as commercially driven schemes for residential, retail, leisure and office development, considerable experience has been gained with Public and Voluntary Sector clients on Heritage and Arts Projects, Community Consultations, Contract Administration and
Project Management.

Mark was appointed Mace’s Group Chief Executive in 2013 and Chairman in January 2022. He has overseen the company’s revenue growth from £1bn to £2bn. He has consistently championed change within the industry, driving innovation to improve service excellence while ensuring Mace continues to be a more productive, efficient and responsible company.

Mark gained his early experience in the commercial and aviation sectors and was the Deputy Programme Director for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Mark was appointed in June 2022 as Co-Chair of the Construction Leadership Council, to help lead the next steps of our industry’s transformation. Mark is also a Board Director for BusinessLDN and the Northern Powerhouse Partnership.

Dr Henry Kippin is Chief Executive at the North of Tyne Combined Authority. He was formerly an executive director at the West Midlands Combined Authority, responsible for its work on inclusive growth, public service reform, climate change and digital. Previous to this he was chief executive of Collaborate CIC, and held roles in UK public policy and international development. He is a trustee of the Young Foundation, and between 2013-18 was a visiting fellow of the UNDP Global Centre for Public Service Excellence.

Helen is a highly experienced manager with experience in both industry and the public sector. Helen has successfully delivered projects and operational responsibilities and enjoys being part of, as well as leading, a successful and productive team. She thrives in high pressure and challenging working environments and is especially skilled at working with multi-discipline/multi-agency teams to optimise strategy and service delivery.

Helen has experience of being Chair of Governors for a rural primary school and Trustee of a co-operative educational trust. She is a Chartered Engineer with the Institution of Engineering and Technology and is currently studying for an ILM Level 7 Diploma and MA in Coaching and Leadership.

A chartered construction manager and experienced senior leader with an operational and main contractor background. Passionate about continuous improvement, innovation and collaborative working – we achieve our best results when we’re all working towards a common goal.

Kathryn Gardner is a Regional Director for AtkinsRéalis Project and Programme Services, a world-leading integrated project and programme management consultancy. Kathryn Chairs the CENE Value Theme Group, with its focus this year on creating a route map to delivering better Value and improving collaboration across the sector. She is passionate that the impact of construction projects on local communities is much greater than just the physical asset.

Kathryn has had in the construction industry for over 30 years, undertaking roles in cost, risk, project and programme management as both Client and Consultant.

David Mosey PhD is a Professor at the King’s College London Centre of Construction Law & Dispute Resolution where he was Director from 2013 to 2020. He was formerly a partner at law firm Trowers & Hamlins and head of their Projects and Construction Department from 1991 to 2013.

David was appointed by the UK Government to lead an “Independent Review of Public Sector Construction Frameworks” and his report “Constructing the Gold Standard” was published in December 2021. The UK Cabinet Office accepted the report’s recommendations for how frameworks, framework contracts and action plans can deliver improved value, efficiency and safety and can achieve Net Zero Carbon. David also co-authored new “Guidance on Collaborative Procurement for Design and Construction to Support Building Safety” which was published in January 2022 by the UK Department for Levelling Up Housing and Communities.

Kevin Thomas is a former public and private sector client with a wealth of experience in built environment procurement, operations and regeneration from board level strategy to hands on project and facilities management. Kevin created the award winning ‘FUSION’ approach for Glaxo Wellcome in 1995, led the development of the Strategic Forum’s Integration Toolkit launched in 2003 and has Coached the Collaborative Working Mentors of Constructing Excellence since their formation also in 2003.

Kevin is one of the creators of the Integrated Project Insurance procurement (IPI) model and a founding Director of the delivery organisation IPInitiatives. The IPI Model is one the new industry models recommended for trials in Government construction strategies since 2014.

Michelle is a chartered surveyor with over 20 years’ experience of working in the Police sector. She currently manages Durham’s diverse property portfolio of operational assets including police stations and section offices as well as specialist premises such as training facilities, fleet garage and archive stores. She was responsible for delivering the relatively new headquarters facility at Aykley Heads and is currently leading the provision of a new Investigative Hub at Spennymoor, due to open in 2023.

Andrew is Head of Government Sector for the Wates Group, a 125-year-old family business employing 3,500 people in the UK and with an annual turnover of £1.6bn. 60% of the Wates turnover is in the delivery of public sector construction projects and services.

Andrew has looked after the Wates relationship with Central and Local Government for over six years, including its significant activity in the education, justice, health, science, and housing sectors. Andy is also a member of the industry forum which worked with the Cabinet Office on the development of the recently published Construction Playbook.

James is a dedicated and ambitious professional with a proud record of working to exemplary standards and driving continued best practice. He is passionate about the sustainability agenda and driving positive business development.

Joining Turner & Townsend in 2021, James brings experience from previous roles in Principle Contractor and Environmental Consultancy organisations. This rounded knowledge base makes James a highly respected member of our team, internally and with clients alike. His interdisciplinary knowledge in tackling sustainability challenges in the built-environment sector places collaboration and continual improvement at the core of the solutions he works on.

Richard leads the strategy, policy and analysis functions of the North East Local Enterprise Partnership.

In this role, he is responsible for the ongoing development of the North East Strategic Economic Plan (SEP), key strategic projects for the North East LEP and the region, and for the North East LEP’s research and evaluation, economic analysis and public policy activities.

He works closely with partners in the region, with Government and with other LEP’s across the North of England and beyond. He chairs the Northern Evidence Network on behalf of NP11.

Lee Francis is the CEO of RE:GEN Group and Chair of the CENE Climate Emergency Group, following an impressive career spanning 24 years at ENGIE (previously Keepmoat). Lee’s role at RE:GEN Group is focussed on driving the group strategy forward. From strengthening client relationships to governance, sustaining organic growth and exploring potential acquisitions, Lee is an inspired leader with a proven track record for delivery. He has been instrumental in driving real change and innovation across the North East Social Housing sector. But most importantly, he is recognised as an approachable, well-respected individual, dedicated to improving people’s lives.

David has 17 years’ experience working in the energy sector and attained a MA by Research at Durham University in 2014. Having worked at National Energy Action (NEA) and the Energy Systems Catapult David is skilled in business planning, environmental awareness and project management. David took up the position of Energy Innovation and Partnership Manager in October 2019 leading on the North East Energy Catalyst programme, a ground-breaking partnership to unite the North East’s leading energy innovation demonstration and delivery capabilities. David’s recent focus has been to identify and address supply chain and skills challenges across decarbonisation of heat, power, and transport, areas of strategic economic importance to the North East region.

Colin joined Lhyfe in June 2022 where he heads up the UK and Ireland business unit. Previous to this he held several roles in the renewable energy industry, working on onshore and offshore wind development in technical and commercial positions. Until 2008 Colin served in the Royal Navy Submarine Service as a Weapons Engineer.

Head of Environmental Sustainability Samantha Granger leads Thirteen’s team of specialists, who are driving the organisation’s plans to reduce its environmental impact. From setting the strategic direction, Samantha is leading on the delivery and development of decarbonising its assets, energy use and climate change adaptation.

To support the journey, Thirteen’s ‘Take Control’ campaign, will see the organisation achieve its goals to becoming a much greener organisation, with a focus on adding value through initiatives, such as tackling fuel poverty and continually putting customers first.

Leanne started with Bellway Homes in 2022 as Group Head of Sustainability, responsible for delivering their sustainability strategy ‘Better with Bellway’. Committed to sustainability, climate change, reducing carbon and promoting innovative and collaborative construction methods to achieve sustainable objectives within the industry, she has spent 16 years in environmental and sustainability roles with main contractors (Sir Robert McAlpine, BAM Nuttall and Galliford Try) before moving to the housebuilding sector. She is a member of the CENE Climate Emergency Group and until recently was on the OneVoice Steering Group.

Carole O’Neil joined Cundall as Human Resources Director in 2007 and has since helped Cundall grow from 450 people to a global practice of over 1,000 people in 21 offices. She has been a part of Cundall’s Management Board for over a decade and has played a pivotal role supporting the business’s leadership over the years.

Her experience as a people and culture professional, in addition to her role as a leader on Cundall’s management board, was further proven in November 2021, when she was named the Institute of Directors’ Chartered Director of the Year for Yorkshire and the North East.

In June 2022, Carole was appointed as Cundall’s global Managing Partner, an appointment which coincides with the launch of a new strategy for Cundall, solidifying the global business’s commitment to sustainability and ensuring that Cundall remains a people focused business – a natural fit for a new Managing Partner with a background in human resources.

Kerry has enjoyed almost 20 years working in a variety of L&D roles where she has been able to help people grow their careers. She is passionate about developing skills and believe that everyone should have equal access to opportunities to help unlock their potential. She considers herself very fortunate to work for an organisation that shares this view.

Phillip is a Mechanical Engineer working in the building services industry since 2005 and has been at B&W since 2014. He leads the B&W buildings team and coordinates design on a variety of residential and commercial projects, managing and delivering these projects to the clients expectations.

He has worked on a wide range of projects including leisure, historical, commercial, education, industrial & domestic including new build & refurbishment projects.

Working both client & contractor side to deliver schemes on time, providing a cost and energy efficient solution.

He is also a Chartered Engineer and Member of Chartered Institute of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE).

Gordon Hodgson is Group Commercial Director at Inside Contracts based in Low Prudhoe, Northumberland. He has 20 years’ experience working in construction structures and fit out, initially in the steel sector before moving to Inside Contracts in 2022. Inside Contracts Group was created back in 2017, bringing together already established businesses providing floor preparation, floor finishes and interior design services within the new build housing sector, commercial spaces, care, hospitality and retail. During 2020 Inside Contracts expanded operations in the North East and set up individual dedicated businesses to form a clear and coherent strategy. Their aspirations are to be the best business in their sector, delivering quality and exceeding expectations.

Founder and director of TWO PLUS TWO, a QS graduate from Northumbria University with a passion for the built environment and construction law.

At TWO PLUS TWO we like to shake up the status quo and add panache, diversity and personality to a highly valuable yet under-appreciated profession. We’re here to create a lasting legacy within our team and our sector and to set incredible standards.

By constantly investing in our people, nurturing and enhancing our culture we stay true to our values and what matters to us most.

It’s more than just a job, it’s our pride, our passion and our purpose.

A member of the Northern region’s senior leadership team, Gemma has worked as a People Business Partner within Sir Robert McAlpine for over 6 years.

Within the last 12 months, Gemma has also taken on responsibility for driving the inclusion strategy and plan within the business. She is extremely pleased to be taking a leading role in the flexible working research Sir Robert McAlpine is involved in. Gemma is passionate about understanding how we can overcome the barriers to flexible working, and to further explore the ways we can make flexible working an option for site-based roles.

Oliver is an active ambassador for net zero futures, healthy buildings and research + innovation in our sector. He leads the research activity at Ryder Architecture to manage and develop their growing research power. The role involves working with international though leaders, academics and governments to deliver pioneering research projects focused on optimising building performance. Key to this is developing collaborative partnerships with advanced material and technology start ups as well as promoting our findings openly for the benefit of the wider community. I am involved in several government steering groups, developing smart construction dashboards, the UK value toolkit and Scotland’s first Net Zero Public Sector Buildings Standard.

With over 27 years of experience in the construction sector, Shane has extensive practice and knowledge in leading large-scale projects, from public buildings and commercial complexes to residential and social housing developments. He has a passion for all things innovation. As commercial manager at CoreHaus he is at the fore front of product selection. He is excited at the prospects of the built environment and how it can positively impact the circular economy through sustainability, social value, waste reduction and innovative end of life design.

Emily supports clients to understand what a transition to the circular economy means for their business, and in identifying the first steps to take to accelerate the transition.

A chartered, senior materials engineer working at Arup, Emily has a wealth of materials sustainability expertise, from embodied carbon and life cycle assessments through to ecotoxicity and biomaterials. She recently co-authored ‘Circular Biobased Construction in the North East and Yorkshire’, overviewing the current biobased construction industry in the region and evaluating the potential to scale.

Summer Islam AADipl (hons) ARB is a founding Director of Material Cultures. Her work is focussed on the holistic integration of construction technologies and design. Summer co-runs ‘Construction in Detail’ in the Spatial Studies department at the University of the Arts London. Summer has taught at the Bartlett, University College London, the London Metropolitan University, the Architectural Association and the University of Cambridge.

As Business in the Community’s Circular Economy Director, Maya de Souza leads a team working with businesses across a number of projects to explore how to make full use of circular economy solutions as part of a Just Transition to Net Zero.

In her previous role, Maya led Defra’s Circular Economy Policy and International Engagement Team. Her responsibilities included developing policy and a programme on waste prevention, taking forward the development of policy measures to support designing out of waste.

She has broad environmental policy experience from working on the natural environment as well as flood risk and green public procurement. In addition, Maya worked with businesses in Hong Kong for several years initiating and taking forward collaborative business projects and influencing public policy.

Tunde has an incurable passion for people, places and design and helps transfer sustainability goals from paper into practice.

His 20-year career began in architecture and has evolved into ESG. Tunde is now helping organisations, and specific projects, to realise their sustainability ambitions and goals.

Tunde was the sustainability lead on the Elephant and Castle Town Centre regeneration project. Likewise for the iconic Blavatnik School of Government at Oxford University, and for the redevelopment of the award-winning Southmead Hospital in Bristol.