Building Connections: Festive Networking Event

On December 4th, The Retrofit West Business Support Partnership (Retrofit West, Building Growth South West, Bath College, The Green Register, Future Leap) invites you to Ashton Gate Stadium for an evening dedicated to advancing the future of sustainable construction, retrofitting, and modern construction methods.

Hosted by Building Growth South West's Senior Programme Director - Lisa Saunders, this is a unique opportunity for both professionals and passionate advocates in the construction and renovation sectors to come together, exchange ideas, and explore actionable steps for a greener, more resilient built environment.

With limited government measures in the recent budget to support retrofit initiatives, we’re left asking: How can our region take the lead in this critical mission?

As we look toward the WECA mayoral elections in May, what should our asks be of the candidates to ensure a sustainable path forward? And in the broader landscape, will the push for change come from private homeowners or must the government step up as a driving force?

This engaging event will feature a lively panel discussion with industry experts, followed by facilitated discussion tables, where you’ll have the chance to share your insights and connect with like-minded professionals over drinks and nibbles.

Tom Westwood – Programme Director, The Green Register (chair)

Melissa Mean – Director, WeCanMake

Sarah Price - Director, Spruce Retrofit Consultancy
More speakers to be announced soon!

Join us from 4:00 to 7:00 pm for thought-provoking discussions, new connections, and an evening that promises to inspire actionable solutions in the world of retrofit and sustainable construction. Don’t miss this chance to be part of the conversation that’s shaping our region’s future!

Who are Building Growth South West?

Building Growth South West supports individuals and local businesses with tailored, future-proofing skills to enhance their employment opportunities and business portfolios.

We aim to enhance the local landscape through training opportunities, all of which are fully funded. Led by YTKO, Building Growth South West works with a range of partners and funders to provide the best training and skills development support for sole traders, freelancers, and SMEs across the South West of England.

We have a number of programmes to support traditional construction businesses, including Retrofit West: Building Connections, which aims to foster sustainable growth and innovation within the retrofit industry across the West of England Combined Authority. This project is funded by the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority through the Green Recovery Fund.

Building Connections; with Building Growth can offer:

• Opportunities to learn new skills and techniques
• Developing commercial relationships with offsite construction suppliers and providers
• Funded training and support to secure long-term jobs in the retrofit industry

This event is part of the Retrofit West CIC programme, delivered by Building Growth South West.

What is Retrofit West?

The Retrofit West CIC programme has received funding from the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority through the Green Recovery Fund.

With the newly acquired grant, Retrofit West CIC is set to organise an array of over 50 networking events and training sessions throughout the year, hosted by their partners at The Green Register, Future Leap, Bath College, and YTKO. These sessions are carefully crafted to support and upskill tradespeople and other professionals eager to delve into the transformative realm of retrofit and equip them with the knowledge and expertise needed to excel in sustainable building practices.

One of the key highlights of Retrofit West’s expansion is the establishment of a Retrofit Hub. This digital platform will serve as a collaborative space where professionals can pose their retrofit-related questions, discover exciting projects, and advertise their services to foster collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and networking within the retrofit community.

The Retrofit Hub can be accessed here.

https://www.retrofitwest.co.uk/

If you have any questions or queries, get in touch with us at [email protected]

Host or Publisher Building Growth South West