Day one: Tuesday 2nd June |
1. 14.00 – 14.30
Member arrival and registration |
2. 14.30 – 16.00
Tour of Keele University campus
A guided walk from Keele University colleagues of the campus including the Smart Energy Network Demonstrator (SEND), the new HyDEX (Hydrogen Development Executive) facility which is producing hydrogen for onsite vehicles from the excess energy created by the energy farm at peak generation times. The tour will also pick up the Vets school, new student services hub and commuter students' hub. |
3. 16.00 – 18.00
Delegate check in/free time |
4. 18.00 – 18.30
Drinks reception, Great Hall, Keele Hall |
5. 18.30 - 19.15
Evening speaker: Student Accommodation Market and Financial Pressures, Rupert Goddard, Partner, Sheppard Robson
Hear from AUDE business partner Sheppard Robson on the current state of the student accommodation market, the impact of rising costs, changes in student preferences, and the implications of historic agreements on university finances. This follows a recent paper from Sheppard Robson on PBSA and unlocking fresh thinking, see the AUDE website.
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6. 19.15 – late
Three course dinner, Old Library, Keele Hall |
7. Bed and breakfast, Courtyard by Marriott Keele University |
Day two: Wednesday 3 June |
1. 09.30 - 10.00
Delegate arrival and refreshments, Old Library, Keele Hall, Keele University |
2. 10.00-10.15
Welcome
Chris Garlick, Director of Estates and Campus Services, Keele University and Chair of the AUDE Estate Management Special Interest Group |
3. 10.15-11.15
Session 1: Property Strategy, Rationalisation, and Income Generation
A series of short updates from members of the Estate Management Group committee on how their institutions are approaching their estates utilisation strategy followed by facilitated round table discussions with AUDE members and plenty of time for Q&A.
A. Utlisation & Rationalisation, Jenny Gibbs, University of Sunderland
Estate utilisation and rationalisation continue to be hot topics for the sector and at the University of Sunderland they are embarking on a University City Masterplan to inform their long-term estate strategy plans. This detailed feasibility work will explore various options for potential change to their future estate, acknowledging the importance of having a cohesive vibrant campus whilst also engaging with key stakeholders such as the City Council and exploring potential opportunities for partnership working during a large period or regeneration change that is taking place in the city of Sunderland. B. The "Strategic Handover", Karen Maddison, University of York
In 2024 University of York decided to vacate the original home of the University. Exiting the Grade I listed King’s Manor required a complex tripartite strategy to manage leasehold liabilities while facilitating a seamless transition to University of York St John. This session dissects the legal hurdles of vacating a heritage asset and the critical relationship management needed to align the interests of two institutions during a high-profile change of occupation. C. Income generation and shared space, Simon Parkinson, University of Surrey
Increasingly occupiers are seeking closer collaboration with the University wanting to share our Labs, including our Wet Labs. There are many advantages - improved collaboration, enabling science, reduced operational costs, and more efficient use of high-value equipment and resources. However existing layouts may not work as shared spaces – it isn’t as simple as maximizing bench counts or squeezing in communal equipment. Shared labs must be deliberately planned to support diverse user needs, evolving technologies, and dynamic workflows - all while maintaining safety and clear operational protocols. If we are interested, how do we make this happen? D. Local plans and Science Park, Chris Garlick, Keele University
Following the successful development of the Keele Science Park, our desire was to grow the opportunity to move from a Science Park to an Innovation District. This opportunity was moved via the timing of a new local plan being brought forward. The challenges and opportunities to be balanced in bring a site out of Greenbelt and the emergence of a neighbourhood planning being developed at the same time. |
4. 11.15 - 11.45
Refreshments, Great Hall |
5. 11.45 - 12.45
Session 2: Student accommodation roundtable, Rupert Goddard, Partner, Sheppard Robson
We will hear from institutions on their current concerns, challenges and opportunities relating to student accommodation. This will follow on from key points made by the Sheppard Robson speaker session the evening before, but a summary will be provided for those who aren’t able to attend on 2nd June. We would recommend reading a related article on the AUDE website.
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6. 12.45-13.45
Lunch, Great Hall |
7. 13.45 - 14.45
Session 3: Local heat network – an update, Nick Helm, Partner and Adam Hulme, Principal Associate, Mills & Reeve LLP
This session will cover proposed low carbon networks, new sector regulation and other market themes. |
8. 14.45-15.45
Energy Market Outlook: Commodity Trends, Supply Risk and Cost Mitigation Strategies, Harrison Miles, Head of Trading and Portfolio Management and Steve Creighton, Head of Member Services, TEC TEC will provide a comprehensive update on current commodity market conditions, including a review of hedging actions undertaken over the last quarter and analysis of the evolving geopolitical landscape, with particular focus on developments surrounding the US/Iran conflict. The session will explore the potential implications for energy and commodity pricing over the coming months, alongside the resulting cost pressures facing AUDE members. In addition to commodity pricing, the presentation will examine the growing impact of non-commodity costs and wider security of supply considerations, outlining how these factors are influencing overall market dynamics and operational risk. The session will conclude with a practical review of low-cost interventions and strategic actions available to organisations, highlighting opportunities to mitigate or potentially reverse rising costs while improving resilience and procurement outcomes.
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9. 15.45 - 16.00
Wrap up and close
Chris Garlick, Director of Estates and Campus Services, Keele University and Chair of the AUDE Estate Management Special Interest Group |
