University Property Development Conference

University of Oxford – Harriet Waters, Head of Environmental Sustainability, Estates

Oxford University’s Environmental Sustainability Strategy was approved in 2021 setting out two ambitious targets: to achieve net zero carbon and to achieve biodiversity net gain, both by 2035. Harriet is responsible for long-term planning and direction of environmental sustainability at the University and oversees the delivery of the wide range of strategies and services implemented by the Environmental Sustainability team and will be well placed to discuss the University of Oxford’s strategy on their future estate’s development plans, including the Begbroke Science Park expansion – one of the first projects to move forward under the £4 billion partnership with L&G

Goldsmiths, University of London – Stephen Lake, Director of Communications, Marketing and Recruitment

Goldsmiths, University of London has rich academic heritage and it’s a creative powerhouse- with zero emission campus by 2030 aiming for 100% renewable electricity. Stephen Lake will be joining the session to discuss sustainable university campus developments, placemaking and maximising student potential via campus infrastructure.

MK:U Cranfield University – Professor Lynette Ryals OBE, Chief Executive

MK:U Cranfield university are creating leaders in technology and management. Recently announcing plans to develop a new campus in Milton Keynes in 2023 that approximately costs £400 million, which aims to welcome 5,000 students in the first year. Lynette – Chief Executive will be joining the session to discuss campus development and the impact on institutional outcomes.

University of Birmingham – Trevor Payne, Director of Estates

University of Birmingham has invested heavily in developing their estate in the UK and internationally. With their £210 million Health Innovation campus due to open in 2023, £57 million Molecular Sciences building and £200 million Pritchatts Park – the first zero carbon student accommodation.  University of Birmingham aims to create the Smartest City Campus in partnership with Siemens – Trevor Payne will be joining the session to provide intel on new estate developments, the future of sustainable building and efficacy of optimised workplaces.

Kajima – Kate Pix, Regeneration Director

Newcastle University and Kajima have established a £500m joint venture to transform the former general hospital site into a world class centre for research and innovation in ageing and living well within the city. Work is set to start at some point in 2023. They are also working on proposals to create a film studio at Pallion Shipyard in Sunderland which will create 1000 new jobs and act as a catalyst for further regeneration around the River Wear.

Birmingham City University – John Plumridge, Estates & Development Director

As we emerge from the aftermath of the pandemic, placemaking and regeneration are at the forefront of town and city rejuvenation. Birmingham City University – is investing £400m in placemaking and city rejuvenation in Eastside, which will be completed by 2025. Also refurbishing £3.7 million science HUB. John from BCU will be joining the session to discuss importance of placemaking, the processes and challenges of delivery.

ARU Peterborough – Professor Ross Renton, Principal

ARU Peterborough is a partnership between the Mayoral Authority of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, Peterborough City Council and Anglia Ruskin University and realises a 40-year vision to bring a university to the city. The £75 million project opened its doors to the first 2,000 students in September 2022 and there are plans for continuous further expansion to offer courses to 12,500 students by 2032. Professor Renton joins us to discuss the transformative effect the university will have on student outcomes, satisfying demands and how to support the wider built environment ecosystem.

University of Central Lancashire – Liz Gatheral, Director of Estates and Capital Projects

UCLan is a pioneer in placemaking and sustainability – providing civic function for Preston and Lancashire.Recently announcing plans to create a new 45,000 sq. ft vet training facility in Preston.  Liz will be joining the session to discuss placemaking, current projects and their wider regeneration strategies.

University of Salford – Jason Challender, Director of Estates

As we look to the future of estate development – University of Salford is pioneering developments – consisting of green initiatives, transformational digital campus and improved transport networks over the next 10-15 years. Recently announcing the development of their £13m Salford Rise ‘boulevard in the sky’, which is predicted to generate £200 million in commercial development and more than 6,000 additional jobs. Jason will be joining this session to discuss the exciting new plans, showcasing upcoming capital projects and discuss the challenges of estate development.

Keele University – Ann Pittard, Director of Engagement and Partnerships

Keele University is one of the largest campus universities in the UK, with over 10,000 students studying on 600-acre estate. With ongoing development strategies, Keele announced in their 10-year campus development masterplan and previously investing approximately £17 million in their 70-acre Science and Innovation Park. Which offers bespoke development spaces, a Marriott hotel, a research hub, as well as office spaces. Ann Pittard will be joining this session to discuss, major campus development, student accommodation plans and future plans to develop a Science and Innovation Park.

Coventry University – Mark Cammies, Managing Director – Property, Facilities and Infrastructure Management

Coventry University develop £43 million Faculty of Arts and Humanities and Civic Centre Campus £58 million development, providing sustainable public and multi uses spaces for the wider community. Managing director – Mark Cammies will be joining the session to discuss sustainability development plans and the challenges of building greener campuses.

EAUC – The Alliance for Sustainability Leadership in Education – Fiona Goodwin, Chief Executive Officer

Department for Education’s (DfE) – Sustainability and Climate Change are investing £5.3 million in Nature Park and Climate development. Currently piloting at Manchester metropolitan university- an initiative to help improve student’s local environment. Fiona is leading on developing a standardised carbon emissions reporting framework for universities and colleges in the UK, on behalf of the Department for Education -offering though leadership on creating sustainable educational estates.

UPP – Jon Wakeford, Director of Engagement

University Partnership programme (UPP) are UK’s leading provider of on-campus residential and academic accommodation infrastructure. Providing 400,000 students and investing over £3 billion, with a partnership with 15 different universities. Recently developing East Park project, a 1,182-bedroom student accommodation development at the University of Exeter worth £41.4 million. Jon from UPP will be joining the session to share his thoughts on how to maximise student potential on campus, the challenges and opportunities of the built environment ecosystem.

London Higher – Diana Beech, Chief Executive Officer

London Higher represents over 40 universities, showcasing London as a centre of excellence, enabling greater engagement and institutionally improving student outcomes. Diana will be joining the session to provide though leadership on meeting the needs of occupiers and the challenges of maximising student potential via the built environment.

Newcastle University – Iain Garfield, Director of Estates and Facilities

Shakespeare Martineau – Ruth Phillips, Partner

Ruth has a background in building surveying. She specialises in all areas of construction law but has particular expertise in drafting and negotiating all forms of building contracts, consultants’ appointments, collateral warranties, performance bonds and parent company guarantees.

Ruth works for a wide variety of clients including private developers, universities, further education colleges and funders.

Ruth ensures that she works closely with her clients and their other technical advisors to ensure that they are provided with a seamless services from the instigation of a project to completion.

University of Nottingham – Andrew Nolan, Development and Sustainability Director

As Nottingham city aims to drive to Net Zero by 2028 – University of Nottingham’s is currently developing major sustainable infrastructure. With £57 million, 700- bed Jubilee Campus, due for completion 2024,  a £50 million Business School and £65 million Digital Nottingham centre at Castle Meadows. Castle Meadows – Nottingham’s city centre campus focuses on sustainable innovation and placemaking. Andrew Nolan – Estates director and Chair of AUDE will be joining us to share though leadership, discuss sustainable developments and the impact on students and the surrounding areas.

DAC Beachcroft – Nicky Fairbairn, Partner

Nicola acts for both private and public sector clients on a wide range of estates matters but with a particular emphasis on large scale development or investment transactions and the related project management. Prior to her promotion to Partner in 2020, Nicola had been recognised by Chambers & Partners as a “Star Associate” for three consecutive years.  She is described as “really approachable” and praised for her ability to “translate legal jargon into a layman’s perspective.”

Barton Willmore, now Stantec – Nick Paterson-Neild, Planning Director

Nick Paterson-Neild, Director in the Reading office of planning and design consultancy Barton Willmore now Stantec, has extensive experience in giving planning advice on a wide range of planning projects, including the promotion of strategic residential land and the education sector, including securing planning permission for University College and New College in Oxford, and the Thames Valley Science Park for the University of Reading.

Barton Willmore, now Stantec is a leading planning, regeneration and design consultancy. We build teams of people who are passionate about creating places that are commercially viable, sustainable, dynamic and progressive. Places people can live, learn, and thrive in.

Vattenfall – Paul Steen, Head of Business Development North

Paul sets the direction for the North region and is responsible for the delivery of the strategy by building relationships and working collaboratively with key stakeholders and colleagues to identify solutions that are aligned with our partner’s needs and our focus on decarbonising heat.

MonstarLab – Charlie MacDowall, Smart Places Director

Big or small, university campuses are critical to enabling the vision and strategy of individual institutions. From excellent learning outcomes to impactful research to health and wellbeing of staff and students, campuses need to create a dynamic and inclusive environment that allows a range of diverse stakeholders to flourish. In this session, we look at how universities can leverage digital technologies to optimise the performance of their estate, and more effectively use their assets to drive enhanced experience for stakeholders as well as positive impacts on their local community and place.

SouthernsBroadstock – Lee Hansford, Creative Design Lead

SouthernsBroadstock is a leading supplier of furniture, fixtures and equipment solutions to the higher education sector. In recent years there has been a number of catalysts for positive change, with a much higher premium placed upon wellbeing, accessibility and user experience, for staff and students alike. In response, Lee will be discussing how SouthernsBroadstock’s Inclusive Design strategy influences interior schemes and furniture specification, to ensure every individual has a platform for success.

Stelling Properties – Antonio Lopez, Director of Building Operations and New Opportunities

Antonio is an experienced Managing Director with a demonstratable history of working in the real estate industry.  Antonio has strong operations experience from many roles within the Hospitality and Property Management sectors.