Willmott Dixon: Building knowledge

Circular economy and retrofit: lessons from net-zero driven projects

This is a recording of a panel session held in the Willmott Dixon pavilion at UKREiiF 2025. Our panel of experts discussed how sustainability principles can drive real change in construction, management, and occupation.
The session invited fresh perspectives on how building and design can evolve to meet today’s sustainability challenges, with a particular focus on circular economy and retrofit.
The panel featured:
Gareth Atkinson - Director, Civic Engineers
Jamie Quinn - Sustainability Director, Related Argent
Kemi Owoeye - Technical Lead for Sustainable Design, Willmott Dixon
Sarah Halpin - Director, Ramboll

Decarbonisation and beyond: aligning climate goals with broader organisational priorities

This is a recording of a presentation delivered in the Willmott Dixon pavilion at UKREiiF 2025. In this presentation, our Head of Decarbonisation, Kelly Crews, outlines how decarbonisation strategies can align with broader organisational goals, focusing on resilience, energy security, and the circular economy.
She explores how this holistic approach can support net zero while delivering wider environmental, economic and community benefits.

Multi-town regeneration: harnessing the power of place to create thriving communities

This is a recording of a panel session held in the Willmott Dixon pavilion at UKREiiF 2025. Our panel of experts explored how multi-town regeneration can create long-term social and economic value, drawing on live examples that are currently taking place in Torbay and Dover.
The discussion highlighted the power of Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs), collaborative vision, community-driven design, and building momentum through early wins.
The panel featured:
Anne-Marie Bond - Chief Executive, Torbay Council
Chris Wheeler - Regional Head of Land and Development, Willmott Dixon
Nadeem Aziz - Chief Executive, Dover District Council
Stuart Harris - Chief Operating Officer, Milligan

From ambition to action: strategies and solutions for delivering net-zero buildings

This is a recording of a panel session held in the Willmott Dixon pavilion at UKREiiF 2025. Our panel of experts discussed key strategies and standards that can facilitate the transition to net zero, as well as examples of where it's already being done.
The conversation spanned the importance of early design decisions, data-led performance monitoring, the need for a 'common currency' to define value, and the tangible benefits to individuals and local communities.
The panel featured:
Cllr Ian Courts - Deputy Leader at Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council
David Partridge - Chair at UK NZC Buildings Standard Governance Board
Francesca Wilkinson - Senior Sustainability and Environmental Manager at Willmott Dixon
Lorna Taverner - Head of Passivhaus at Willmott Dixon
Pam Scott - Head of Economic Regeneration and Housing Delivery at Huntingdonshire District Council

Creating an inclusive community on campus: University of Staffordshire’s Student Village

In this episode, we explore the role buildings, spaces and play in shaping the student experience and creating an inclusive community on campus.
Our guests are:
Sally McGill, CFO and Deputy Chief Executive at University of Staffordshire
Nick Preedy, Project Lead at Willmott Dixon
Hear from Sally and Nick about social infrastructure, the importance of the student experience and how University of Staffordshire's Student Village is designed to put sustainability, community and the needs of students at its heart.

Transforming Torbay: Creating a thriving coastal community

In this episode, we explore the important role social infrastructure plays in local and regional regeneration. We are joined by three guests who are currently involved in an exciting multi-site regeneration project in Torbay:
Anne-Marie Bond, Chief Executive at Torbay Council
Chris Wheeler, Regional Head of Land and Development at Willmott Dixon
Tarah Gear, Director of Brand and Place Futures at Milligan
Our guests share their insights into regeneration, social infrastructure and how they are taking a people-centric approach to the Torbay project to create a thriving costal community.

Insights: Spring Budget Analysis

Andy Geldard, Chief Communications Officer at Willmott Dixon hosts this insightful talk with Greig Baker and Jonathan Werran to discuss the Office for Budget Responsibility Economic and Fiscal Forecast.

Project Insights - University of Exeter Sarah Turvill Multifaith Centre

Andy Geldard speaks to Senior Building Manager Warwick Roberts about the University of Exeter Sarah Turvill Multifaith Centre.
The enriching new facility aims to promote respect and diversity of all faiths and beliefs and create a sense of community and inclusion on campus and beyond.  
Upholding Passivhaus standards and providing a calm, spiritual space for people from a wide array of backgrounds, this new building keeps the environment and cultural purpose at the heart of design and delivery. Innovative tiling techniques and sustainable materials such as porotherm clay blocks ensure high building performance into the future.