17 June 2025 2pm – 6pm Community London, UK

Overview

Join Equans UK & Ireland and the IWFM Sustainability Special Interest Group (SIG) for a pivotal event focusing on sustainability within the workplace and facilities management (WFM) sector.

This gathering seeks to deliver a wealth of benefits for attendees, including actionable insights into cutting-edge sustainability practices and strategies. Expert panels will dissect the complexities of government and public sector requirements, offering clarity and practical guidance.

Discussions will spotlight real-world examples of successful sustainability initiatives, providing a blueprint for attendees to implement within their own organisations. Beyond the informative sessions, the event will serve as a prime networking opportunity, fostering collaboration and innovation among industry professionals committed to driving sustainability forward in WFM.

Key topics:

  • Regulatory changes
  • Market expectations
  • Well-being
  • Social value
  • Decarbonisation

Key takeaways

The event is designed to offer attendees:

  1. A deeper understanding and increased awareness of the key findings from the 2024 Sustainability Survey
  2. Insight into the broader context and complexity of the challenges highlighted in the survey
  3. Practical takeaways that can be applied in real-world scenarios
  4. A valuable opportunity to connect and network with peers

Refreshments and nibbles will be provided.

Agenda

  • 14:00 - Arrival (Doors open 1.45pm)
  • 14:15 - Introduction – Kam Singh, IWFM Sustainability SIG Chair
  • 14:30 - Presentation ‘Key issues from the IWFM Sustainability Survey’ – Melissa Gilbert, Senior Research Manager, IWFM and Kam Singh, IWFM Sustainability SIG Chair
  • Panel session & Q&A. The panellists are:
    • Ann Beavis - Head of Sustainable Development, Crown Workspace (Panel Chair)
    • Lee Doyle - Director of Facilities Management Strategy, Clifford Chance
    • Nick Blake - Associate Director, Gardiner & Theobald LLP
    • Kristian Walker - Senior Sustainability Manager, BBC
  • 15:20 - Case studies on social value – Andrew Gladstone-Heighton, Head of Policy and Insight, IWFM and Amelle Mestari, Procurement & CSR Director, Equans UK & Ireland
  • 15:30 - Break
  • 15:40 - Presentation ‘Regulatory changes and shifting expectations and how to prepare for them in an uncertain world’ – Sunil Shah, Managing Director, Acclaro Advisory
  • Panel session & Q&A. The panellists are:

    • Anna Williamson, a pracademic working in the field of regenerative sustainability as a consultant and associate lecturer at the University of Built Environment

    • Rob Molyneux - Head of Sustainability & Environment, Equans UK & Ireland

    • Sunil Shah - Managing Director, Acclaro Advisory

    • Philip Kennedy - Head of Facilities and Health and Safety, Hempsons

  • 16:25 - Close and thanks - Amelle Mestari, Procurement & CSR Director, Equans UK & Ireland
  • 16:30 - Networking with drinks and canapes
  • 18:00 - Event close

 

Sponsors

Speakers

Ann Beavis

HEAD OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT, CROWN WORKSPACE

Specialising in sustainable development, Ann played a key role in setting up sustainable services division, Premier Sustain (now part of Crown Workspace), developing environmentally, socially and economically responsible workplace solutions for clients for the effective management and clearance of office furniture and IT equipment. She is a member of the IWFM Sustainability SIG, co-authored the IWFM good practice guide on ‘Recycling, waste and resource management’, and sits on the BITC Circular Economy Task Force that helps drive circular economy practices across the UK. Ann works as a consultant with companies who are focused on delivering ‘better business’ through improved social, environmental and economic outcomes. 

Nick Blake

Associate Director, Gardiner and Theobald

Nick is an Associate Director for Gardiner and Theobald’s Specialist FM consultancy team and additionally gives his time to chairing BSIs FM technical steering committee; FMW/1, being a member of BSIs strategic steering committee FMB/1 and being deputy chair of the IWFM’s Procurement and Contract Management special interest group.

Lee Doyle

Director of Facilities Management Strategy, Clifford Chance
Coming soon.

Melissa Gilbert

Senior Research Manager, IWFM

In her role at IWFM, Melissa contributes to efforts that drive insights and transformation within the profession. 

Before joining IWFM, Melissa accumulated over 15 years of experience at a market research fieldwork agency, where she gained valuable expertise in data and analysis and managed a diverse array of projects for public and private sector clients, both in the UK and internationally. 

Melissa also has a background as an analyst with corporate and consultancy experience, having worked at Scottish Power and Wood Mackenzie. 

Andrew Gladstone-Heighton

Head of Policy and Insight, IWFM

Andrew is an experienced policy analyst with over a decade's experience of working in the post 14 education sector, devolved government & membership organisation in the built environment and environmental services.

He has an awarding body and policy professional background with a Bachelor's Degree focused in Political Science and Government from Newcastle University.

He is also chair of a primary school board of governors. In his spare time, he is an artist, musician & occasional essayist.

Philip Kennedy

Head of Facilities, Kennedys
Coming soon

Amelle Mestari

Procurement & CSR Director, Equans UK & Ireland

Amelle is the Procurement & CSR Director for the Sustainable Facilities Management division at Equans UK & Ireland, heading up the respective Procurement and CSR teams. With more than 25 years of experience in the built environment, she has played a pivotal role in advancing major initiatives, including the digitalisation of procurement to improve efficiency, transparency, and collaboration. Her leadership reflects a deep commitment to leveraging procurement and CSR not just as value-driving functions, but as vital mechanisms for delivering social and environmental responsibility in response to global challenges.

Amelle co-chairs WOMEN Together, Equans' women’s network, and contributes actively to the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee. Passionate about mentoring, she empowers individuals from underrepresented backgrounds while promoting innovation and excellence. As a transformational leader, Amelle champions early engagement with supply chains and cross-industry collaboration, particularly around tackling scope 3 emissions, and is committed to developing future leaders who will drive sustainable change within and beyond Equans.

Rob Molyneux

Head of Sustainability & Environment, Equans UK & Ireland

Sunil Shah

Director, Acclaro Advisory

Sunil is the founder of Acclaro Advisory, which provides policy, corporate and project support across a wide range of sustainability issues affecting organisations. With 25 years of experience within the built environment, he is uniquely experienced throughout the lifecycle of developments, delivering sustainability solutions at the design, planning and operational stages.

Kam Singh

Executive Director – ESG, EMCOR UK

As the Chair of IWFM’s Sustainability SIG, Kam’s specialisms include Strategic ESG, Energy, Carbon and Environmental Management and he is an MBA qualified energy and sustainability executive with more than 30 years’ industry experience. As a chartered engineer, with a portfolio of technical, managerial and commercial skills Kam has practiced within both the public and private sectors, with a particular focus on sustainability and net zero strategies for corporate clients. Kam also has extensive experience within the facilities management industry, with a proven track record at both strategic and operational levels with several global client organisations.

Kristian Walker

Senior Sustainability Manager, BBC
Coming soon!

Anna Williamson

Practitioner and strategic leader in apprenticeship delivery and decision making
Practitioner and strategic leader in apprenticeship delivery and decision making. Over twenty years’ experience in the built environment, specialising in ESG and regenerative principles. Driving the development of collaborative approaches to teaching, learning and assessment on the sector leading FM degree apprenticeship at University of Bolton with responsibility for internal and external quality standards, to deliver outstanding pedagogy, curriculum development and learner experience