Simon is a founding director of global architecture practice, Allford Hall Monaghan Morris (AHMM) where he leads a design studio of 200 architects.Simon is a frequent writer, critic and advisor, a visiting professor at Harvard, a trustee of the London School of Architecture and the Chickenshed Theatres Trust.In 2020, Simon was elected the next president of the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) and took up the role on September 1st.On his election, Simon said he wanted to create "a more open, productive, engaged and reinvigorated RIBA" that addresses "global climate change and architecture&apos;s pivotal role in a post-pandemic world." This event will hear from Simon on his plans to deliver on his priorities and where he sees the future of architecture within the fast-changing landscape of the built environment, leading into an interactive Q&A, with networking to follow. Our hosts - The Building Society - is a co-working space and collaborative community for everyone working within the build environment sector, created by Urbano Members Structural & Civil Engineers, Elliott Wood. This is a place where we can all start to engineer a better society. Support the show (https://www.urbanonetwork.co.uk/membership)

London Networking Podcast

Build Speaker & Networking Event with Simon Allford, President of RIBA

Support the show (https://www.urbanonetwork.co.uk/membership)

Critical Ingredients for Successful Pitches & Proposals

https://historicengland.org.uk/whats-new/news/greening-historic-homes/Using the report as a starting point, we look at the specific challenges around retrofitting in historic and listed buildings, and traditional homes - especially those in conservation areas - where owners are looking to install heating and power systems in line with government targets to reduce zero carbon emissions.About our Guest SpeakerPeter Cox is Managing Director at Carrig Conservation International Ltd and a Fellow at The RSA. Peter and his company Carrig International have a proven track record in dealing with all levels of listed buildings, protected structures and monuments. Peter Cox is well known and respected internationally and contributes much to international standards, Government policies and lectures extensively on the international stage. Support the show (https://www.urbanonetwork.co.uk/membership)

The challenge of Net Zero Carbon & Retrofit In Conservation Buildings

Presenting this session, which examines newly opened The Spine building, is Robert Hopkins, Regional Director of AHR, the award-winning architecture and building consultancy practice - and Urbano Network members. Robert is design/project lead on The Spine, the new northern home for the Royal College of Physicians in Liverpool, which aims to be one of the healthiest workplace environments in the world when it opens its doors in May 2021. Biophilia is at the heart of AHR&apos;s approach to the design of The Spine and the building has been designed adhering to WELL Standard principles. Robert discusses how biophilia and other innvovations around workplace wellness and design have informed The Spine&apos;s design and construction. About our speaker Robert has over twenty years’ experience in the design of award winning buildings and delivery of several large and complex education projects in the UK and internationally. Robert is lead on the design of The Spine, the new £35m northern headquarters for the Royal College of Physicians in Liveropool which incorporates biophilic design features to create an inspirational workspace.Support the show (https://www.urbanonetwork.co.uk/membership)

Biophilia, Architecture, and the Built Environment with Robert Hopkins

Urbano has championed green and sustainable business practices since 2002 in Shoreditch where we created our first networking community. To achieve the targets in the Paris Agreement will involve more collaboration, more engagement, and a different way of measuring profitability. Urbano has highlighted and supported environmental awareness in business since 2002 and support organisations like the Good Law project. We will also be looking to undertake an audit for Urbano&apos;s parent Talent Lab to become a UK member of B Corp, the global body for-profit businesses to demonstrate their commitment to having a positive impact on society and their environment. This event will look at the steps that for-profit companies need to take to become a member of B Corps UK with Urbano Supporters, EQ Investors. SPEAKER Kate Sandle - Director of Programmes & Engagement at B Corp UK. Since the launch of the B Corporation movement in the UK, Kate has been key to building the community of companies who are reinventing business. By voluntarily meeting higher standards, Certified B Corps are distinguishing themselves by measuring their impact and offering a positive vision of a better way to do business. As Director of Programmes & Engagement at B Corp UK, Kate works with existing B Corp members to strengthen the community and delivers campaigns to champion and build awareness of the movement. Kate will share with us how they are driving and promoting the role business plays in society This event is supported by EQ Investors, who recently scooped the award for &apos;the best adviser firm for ESG&apos; at the Professional Adviser Awards 2021. are a purpose-driven investment management firm helping individuals and institutions who care about social and environmental impacts.Support the show (https://www.urbanonetwork.co.uk/membership)

Doing business for good

Following the recent next step of the road map to the end of lockdown, hospitality venues have been allowed to serve people outdoors and subject to other Covid measures, including social distancing. This Wednesday, we will bring together those who manage and market venues to look ahead to get a picture of what the summer will look like.Leading our speaker panel will be Katie Avon, Director of Marketing for Grosvenor Britain & Ireland, whose heartland is London&apos;s West End where they support 1,000 businesses. Joining Katie, who will discuss the group&apos;s al fresco dining plans for Mayfair, will be will be representatives from Church House Westminster, Dishoom, Lambeth Palace & Rich Mix, and others from across London. Please book this free interactive discussion to share your plans and expectations.We also invite Urbano member businesses and others who are managing the return of staff to their offices and shared office spaces to book and give their own timetables for staff returning. In what we hope will be a showcase for those places openings to visitors, we want to provide a supportive event which allows a realistic exchange of the expectations of corporate and personal customers.Support the show (https://www.urbanonetwork.co.uk/membership)

Host Community Networking Round Table - Roadmap to venue openings

The Government has published the draft guidance which accompanies the January 2021 consultation on the Future Buildings Standard, Part L and Part F of the Building Regulations and how amendments to regulations and documents will affect new commercial and existing residential property, including refurbishments and extensions. Our guest for this session was Owen Edwards, Technical and Training Director at Butler & Young. Butler & Young Approved Inspectors is a nationwide fully integrated multi disciplinary compliance service from a national network of offices. Owen looks at the newly published Performance-Based Policy Framework for assessing energy use and carbon emissions in large commercial and industrial buildings. Responses to the consultation have to be in by April 13th, 2021.Support the show (https://www.urbanonetwork.co.uk/membership)

Future Buildings Standard Consultation Event

Our speakers for this event were Sofie Pelsmakers and Ming Hu. Sofie Pelsmakers first spoke at an Urbano Zero Carbon/Build & UWACTE event in 2013, following the publication of her book The Environmental Design Pocket (now on it&apos;s 2nd edition!). An expert in sustainable design and architecture, she is co-founder of Architecture for Change, a not-for-profit environmental building and research organisation, with the mission of challenging the way we design and build. She is now Assistant Professor of Sustainable Housing Design/Architecture at Tampere University in Finland and is co-author of the new book, Everything Needs to Change: Architecture and the Climate Emergency from RIBA Publishing. Joining Sofie on this special event was Ming Hu, Assistant Professor at School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation, University of Maryland. Ming specialises in high-performance building design, parametric modelling, Life Cycle assessment and building performance measurement. Ming is author of Net Zero Energy Building: Predicted and Unintended Consequences. Ming & Sofie explored the theme of &apos;Zero Carbon in Architecture & Construction: Challenges and Unintended Consequences&apos; and offer us a global perspective on how different countries address the need to meet Paris Agreement climate change commitments.Support the show (https://www.urbanonetwork.co.uk/membership)

Zero carbon in architecture and construction: challenges and unintended consequences

This event examines changes to the Future Homes Standard, including Approved Documents for Part F, L and guidance on overheating in residential buildings (new and existing).  This presentation also looked at how the changes to Building Regulations will address the next stages in the promised journey towards zero carbon in construction.The guest for this session was Geoff Wilkinson, Managing Director of Wilkinson Construction Consultants, award-winning Approved Inspectors. Geoff is a qualified Chartered Surveyor and  Fire Engineer, and appears frequently in the national and international press, TV and radio, and writes a regular column on Building Regulations in Architects Journal.Support the show (https://www.urbanonetwork.co.uk/membership)

The Future Homes Standard: Changes to Part L and Part F of Building Regulations

In 2021, two important changes are set to advance the opportunities for smaller companies to win work through public sector tenders. The first is the Social Value Framework which went live on January 1st, and other is the Green Paper on Transforming Public Procurement out for consultation until March 10th.Our panellists are Ben Carpenter, Chief Executive of Social Value UK, the professional body for social value and impact management, and Rebecca Rees, Partner at Trowers & Hamlins, where Rebecca, a national expert in public procurement law, co-leads the Public Procurement Practice. Ben & Rebecca will examine the key elements in both regulations, including the likely implications and identified issues - and opportunities for smaller companies in national and local contracts. We will then also hear from Neil Capstick, Founder of The Social Value Practice and Executive Compass, and a seasoned social value and procurement professional.  Neil look at potential barriers and opportunities social value presents to SMEs when bidding. Our fourth panellist is Urbano&apos;s Co-Director, Caroline Brock, ex Work Winning Associate at AECOM and now a tender writer and bid management strategist & consultant who helps both large companies and SMEs win work in the public sectorSupport the show (https://www.urbanonetwork.co.uk/membership)

New Procurement Regulations for 2021 - Good News For SMEs?

As President Biden takes his oath of office on this day, we would like to use such an event to bring together different US and British companies to hear from someone at the sharp edge of future planning a city and to see what issues are shared with London. There will also be facilitated networking and plenty of chance to chat and connect.Joy Sinderbrand, the Vice President for NYCHA's Recovery and Resilience Department.Formed in the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy, Joy's department is responsible for managing a $3Bn budget aimed at repairing developments throughout New York impacted by Sandy, incorporating resilient design that will guide future construction throughout NYCHA’s portfolio.The New York City Housing Authority is the body in charge of increasing opportunities for low and moderate income New Yorkers to access safe, affordable housing and facilitating social and community services. Support the show (https://www.urbanonetwork.co.uk/membership)

Urbano Build/UWACTE January Speaker Networking Event with the NYCHA

For this free event, Mark will is joined by a panel of Urbano Member architects to discuss the outlook for architecture in 2021, including industry trends, their approach to sustainability, both in terms of the economy and commitments to zero carbon, and the Built Environment as a whole. In a lively session, all sizes and practice specialities of architect practices are represented on the panel: AHR, FT Architects, Gluckman Smith, InsideOut, Mackay + Partners & The RPA Group.They share their opinions on the proposed changes by the MHCLG to the Architects Act 1997, including competences of architects and registration.Support the show (https://www.urbanonetwork.co.uk/membership)

Urbano networking event - Architecture & 2021: The Year Ahead for Architects

Facilitated by Mark Herring, Urbano&apos;s Connector-In-Chief, our Urbano Engage Speaker Panel events use an interactive format to examine key themes of interest to business. For this event, we are pleased to partner with Cityzenith to look at Digital Twins, a market set to be worth $50Bn by 2026,  and how smart technology that connects areas and systems like maintenance, energy consumption, space utilization and traffic management, will be used to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.Digital Twins are virtual replicas of buildings, infrastructure and physical assets, fully interconnected with the data in and around them that optimize project performance, and help predict and visualize future outcomes.Jason Thomas, Business Development Manager EMEA at Cityzenith, will lead on what Digital Twin technology is and its uses, and analyse results from Cityzenith&apos;s advanced Digital Twin software solutions for buildings, infrastructure, and smart cities. Support the show (https://www.urbanonetwork.co.uk/membership)

Urbano Engage Panel Event - Using digital twin to deliver carbon neutral operations

Facilitated by Mark Herring, Urbano&apos;s Connector-In-Chief, our Urbano Engage Speaker Panel events use an interactive format to examine key themes of interest to business. For this event, we are partnering with Urbano Members, Sakura Business Solutions and its Founder/Managing Director, Damian Connolly. With offices in London and Dublin, Sakura and Damian are ideally positioned to both understand how we can use Ireland as a spring-board to trade with the EU after January 1st. Joining Mark & Damian will be Michelle Conaghan, VP - Emerging Technologies & New Forms of Investment UK, from IDA Ireland for what we hope will include an update on any Brexit trade agreement.Support the show (https://www.urbanonetwork.co.uk/membership)

The UK, EU, & Brexit - is Ireland a simple solution for businesses

For this event, Mark Herring, Urbano&apos;s Connector-In-Chief is joined by Robert Kelly, Commercial Business Development Manager at Stewart Title UK, a leading provider of title insurance & real estate services. Robert kicks off this panel event by examining regulatory changes on permitted development and other factors that will affect housing and analysis of markets following previous stamp duty holidays.Stuart Kaye, Founding Director of Adams Kaye, property law and private client specialists, gives his take on how his clients, including HNWs and overseas buyers, view property investment in the south-east in particular.Richard Merrett, Head of Strategic Development at Simply Biz Mortgages , looks in details at lending requirements, liquidity and other factors that will influence the market next year, because your property is only worth what a lender will lend you you to buy it.Stay tuned for the final verdict of attendees and the panel on whether our houses and flats will be worth more in a year&apos;s time than today,Support the show (https://www.urbanonetwork.co.uk/membership)

Urbano Engage Panel Event - The UK Residential Market in 2021

London Networking Podcast is produced by the team behind Urbano Network and features interviews on different successful approaches to networking with some of our members and our different event speakers. For more on Urbano Network, our events calendar and previous events, please visit website link above.

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London Networking Podcast

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