The HE Estates and Facilities Management Conference is taking place on Monday 5 & Tuesday 6 October at Loughborough University. This page will be updated regularly with speaker and session information. The programme is also subject to change. The conference is open to the whole AUDE membership.
Business Lounge, Burleigh Court, Loughborough University
Welcome address from Ian Grimes, Director of Estates, University of Hertfordshire and AUDE Chair and Jane Harrison-White, Executive Director, AUDE.
Carney and Scott’s, Burleigh Court, Loughborough University
Carney and Scott’s, Burleigh Court, Loughborough University
Conference Suite 1, 2 and 3, Burleigh Court, Loughborough University
Conference Suite 1, 2 and 3, Burleigh Court, Loughborough University
Holywell Park, Loughborough University
Speakers: Professor Nick Jennings, Vice-Chancellor and President, Loughborough University and Philip Hillman, Consultant, Living Real Estate.
Speaker: Jane Harrison-White, Executive Director, AUDE.
Speakers: Professor Robert Van de Noort CBE, Vice-Chancellor, University of Reading, Graham Howard, Director of Estates and Facilities Management, Loughborough University, Morag Beers, Director of Estates and Facilities, University of Aberdeen and Anita Edson, Director of Estates, Cardiff University.
Facilitator: Philip Hillman, Consultant, Living Real Estate.
University estates are at a crossroads and facing unprecedented pressures to evolve. Designing the campus of the future isn’t just about buildings; it’s about boldness. It demands new technologies, alternative thinking and courage to act decisively.
At the University of Sheffield, we’re turning this challenge into opportunity. We’ll share insights, lessons and pitfalls from our integrated masterplanning and decarbonisation programme - an ambitious, connected approach unlocking collaboration, resilience and transformational benefits. From lowering operational costs to boosting research competitiveness and attracting world class students, the gains are real and immediate.
Speakers: Ashley Roberts, Associate Director of EFM: Development, Space & Property – University of Sheffield, Lisa Stephenson, University of Sheffield, University Estate Decarbonisation Programme, Programme Manager and Associate Director, Turner & Townsend, Gaynor Bradshaw-Willson, Head of Capital Projects at the University of Sheffield and Tim Rippon, Programme Director of the University of Sheffield Estate Decarbonisation Programme and Director at Turner & Townsend.
Full session details coming shortly.
This workshop will very much build on the conference theme of “a strong focus on operational excellence in higher education estates”. We will explore and highlight how there are no shortcuts to ensuring the completeness, accuracy, and timeliness of our space and asset data. Instead, we will demonstrate how diligence, hard work, persistence and engagement are essential to success, with practical examples and learning shared.
We will present strategies and tools used by the university to
An example of the topics to be discussed can be viewed in this podcast.
Speakers: Chris Butchart, VP, Invida Limited and Dave Wickett, Senior Operations Lead, University of Cambridge.
Holywell Park, Loughborough University
This session explores how estates teams are digitising their estate in practice, using the Digitising Your Estate guide as a common framework. Through a panel‑led discussion, the session focuses on early‑to‑mid maturity stages - from standardisation and data capture through to visualisation and analysis - and the real‑world challenges institutions face at each stage. Drawing on practical examples such as drone surveys, photogrammetry and other capture methods, the panel will discuss how organisations are balancing cost, safety, data quality and value. The session is designed to be audience‑led, encouraging reflection on where institutions are today, what is working well, and what barriers remain. Attendees will leave with practical insights and shared learning to support their own digital estate journey.
Speakers: Brett Plant, Head of Estates Information and Systems, University of Warwick and Digital Estates Group Co-Chair and Rich Draper, Head of Estates Digital, University of Oxford and Digital Estates Group Co-Chair.
At a time when higher educational institutions are seeking unique competitive advantages, strategic initiatives informing space design, people, pedagogy and processes are critical to the success and wellbeing of staff and students. To remain relevant, the physical campus still needs to build culture and community, support individual focus, workplace readiness, sense of belonging for students, and facilitate teamwork whilst combatting isolation. This presentation focuses on considerations that will help you as you design spaces to best support the needs of tomorrow.
Speakers: Bertie Van Wyk, Senior Insights Strategist, MillerKnoll and Lee Hansford, Head of Creative Design at SouthernsBroadstock Interiors.
Effective energy management in universities depends on continuity, accuracy and the retention of specialist knowledge. Yet many Universities face a recurring challenge: when key staff leave, critical insights into systems, baselines, compliance requirements, and optimisation strategies often leave with them. This creates operational risk, increases costs and slows progress toward Net Zero.
Using a specialist third party provider creates organisational resilience. External partners maintain consistent methodologies, centralised data management, and audit ready documentation that remains accessible regardless of internal turnover. They provide stable expertise, ensure compliance with evolving standards, and preserve institutional memory across estates, capital projects and energy reporting cycles.
By embedding a third party into the energy management workflow, Universities can protect themselves against knowledge loss, reduce dependence on a single individual, and maintain momentum in decarbonisation. This approach strengthens governance, improves decision making and ensures long term value for patients, staff and the public.
Speaker: Andy Bennett, Group Director of Operations, Low Carbon Europe.
Holywell Park, Loughborough University
Higher education is experiencing major disruption driven by demographic shifts, financial pressures, evolving learning models, and rising expectations around sustainability, safety, and student experience. These changes are reshaping the role of estates and facilities management, requiring more agile, data driven approaches to space use, asset optimisation, compliance, and long term resilience. Flexible, technology enabled learning environments are replacing traditional teaching spaces, while universities face growing maintenance backlogs, rising operational costs, and increasing pressure to demonstrate value and support institutional priorities.
At the same time, sustainability, digital transformation, and workforce change are redefining FM operations. Estates teams are leading decarbonisation and climate resilience efforts while adopting technologies such as predictive maintenance, IoT systems, occupancy analytics, and AI enabled optimisation. To remain future ready, FM leaders must combine technical expertise with digital capability, strategic insight, and strong cross campus partnerships. This presents a significant opportunity for facilities professionals to shape more sustainable, efficient, safe, and innovative campuses for the future.
Speakers: Steve Ford, Deputy Director, Facilities & Campus Services, University of Westminster and Strategic Facilities Management Group Chair and Duncan Johnston, Deputy Director of Estates, Glasgow School of Art and Strategic Facilities Management Group Deputy Chair.
Universities are increasingly recognising a mismatch between the space they operate and the economic realities they now face. The challenge is no longer simply digitising estates, it is understanding how estates perform operationally, financially, and strategically.
The future financially intelligent campus is not necessarily smaller, more automated, or more complex. It is simply one that can confidently understand the relationship between space, cost, utilisation, and institutional value.
Attendees will explore how connected estate intelligence can support better investment decisions, improve utilisation insight, prioritise maintenance and decarbonisation strategies, and align estate operations with institutional objectives. This interactive session will challenge smart campus thinking and demonstrate how universities can move from fragmented data towards confident, evidence-based financial estate decision-making.
Speakers: Dr Palle Geltzer Dinesen, CEO and Co-Founder, Ubiqisense and Daniel Jennings, Director of UK Growth, Ubiqisense.
Closing address and final opportunity to network with colleagues.
Speakers: Ian Grimes, Director of Estates, University of Hertfordshire and AUDE Chair and Jane Harrison-White, Executive Director, AUDE.
