Retrofit Suffolk

08:30 – Guest registration, networking and light breakfast served

09:00 – Welcome from Suffolk Supply Chain

09:05 – Guest speakers

10:15 – First roundtable session to commence

11:00 – Comfort break

11:30 – Second roundtable sessions to commence

12:20 – Wrap-up and next steps from Suffolk County Council

12:30 – Event close

Join Suffolk's Public Sector Organisations for this interactive and educational event discussing Retrofitting in Suffolk, supported by Suffolk Supply Chain. With talks from guest speakers in the fields of green skills, funding and finance, and innovation, presentations will be followed by a variety of roundtable discussions to share best practice, challenges to the industry currently and options moving forward to ensure that Suffolk businesses stand out from the rest when it comes to Retrofitting.

Due to the nature of this event, the content is suited to businesses within the following industries:

1. Electricians
2. Plumbers
3. Heating engineers
4. Building companies
5. Solar panel specialists
6. Ventilation specialists
7. Glaziers
8. Insulation installers
9. Joiners
10. Plasterers
11. Architects

Guest Speakers:

Emma Taylor, Director of Business Development and Major Projects, Suffolk New College

Emma Taylor is Director of Business Development and Major Projects at Suffolk New College, and is currently leading the region’s £4.7m Local Skills Improvement Fund programme and the £1m Thrive: Suffolk Skills and Employment Service programme, as well as leading on business training and major employer engagement for the College. 

She has a diverse background in project management, across heritage and museums, skills and business growth programmes.  Emma leads on sustainability for Suffolk New College, which won the Association of Colleges Beacon Award for Education for Sustainable Development in January 2024, and is now an Assessor for the 2024-5 Beacon Awards. 

The Net Zero Skills Centre was her first project for the College, and since its launch in 2023, has provided training in sustainable construction, heat pump and solar power installation, and hybrid and EV car maintenance to many hundreds of learners, with more initiatives planned in 2024-5.

Chloe Donovan, Managing Director, Natural Building Systems

Natural Building Systems, led by Managing Director Chloe Donovan, is pioneering the use of industrial hemp within modern construction through ADEPT®, a highly scalable and adaptable modular system for both new-build and retrofit. The system uses timber and other bio-based insulation materials, particularly hemp, to enhance building performance and address the housing crisis whilst also unlocking the potential of new construction stored carbon credits (CSCC) through digital material passports which maximise traceability and transparency.

Emma Alderton

Suffolk Supply Chain Lead

emma@suffolkchamber.co.uk