Join us for our action packed annual membership conference
We are delighted to announce our latest agenda and confirmed speakers for this year’s Network Harvest, including:

Ros Kerslake, Chief Executive of the Heritage Lottery Fund

Sir Ed Davey, MP for Kingston and Surbiton and former Energy Secretary

Dame Helen Ghosh, Director General of the National Trust

Sarah Butler-Sloss, Founder Director of Ashden

Fit for the Future’s Network Harvest is our biggest event exclusively for members, bringing practitioners together to gather knowledge, harvest ideas and share inspiring sustainability experiences.

Organisations attending include National Trust, RSPB, Cancer Research UK, Historic Royal Palaces, Somerset House and many more!

“Last year’s Network Harvest was a fantastic day; well organised, an excellent venue, and the structure meant there was plenty of time to network” – Sally Mills, RSPB
 

Agenda

10am: Arrival – tea, coffee and networking

10.45:   Opening address by Sir Ed Davey, MP for Kingston and Surbiton, Chair of Fit for the Future Network and former Energy Secretary

                 Keynote speech by Ros Kerslake, Chief Executive of the Heritage Lottery Fund

11.15: Inspiring member case studies followed by Q&A including

                   Steve Curtis, Operations Manager at Contact Theatre

                   A journey from diesel to electric

                   Phil Dyke, Coast & Marine Advisor at National Trust

                   Adapting to change on Brownsea Island

                   Oliver Ingwall-King, Energy Adviser at West Suffolk Council

                   Better Financial Outcomes for All

                 Alessandra McConville, Environment and Sustainability Manager at Cancer Research UK

                   Knowing your data

                   Sally Mills, Reserves Bioenergy Project Manager at RSBP  

                   Reedbed bioenergy  

                   Jason Mitchell, Waste Manager at Newcastle Hospital

                   Applying the waste hierarchy at Newcastle Hospitals

12.30 Lunch and networking

1.30pm: Workshop session 1

 “Creating the case for a sustainable future” – Sheila Holden OBE, key business adviser during the London 2012 Olympics, helping businesses to reduce their travel demands in preparation for the Games

Making the business case is one of the first hurdles that members face when it comes to securing project funding or successfully bringing about organisational change. Using her experience of working with London businesses ahead of the 2012 Olympics, Sheila Holden will deliver an interactive workshop to help members through the process of creating the business case. Delegates will be asked to bring along a scenario that they can use during a “Dragon’s Den” session and will have an opportunity to present their case!

“Adapting to change: bridging the gap from policy into action” – Keith Jones, National Trust, Meredith Wiggins, Historic England & Olly Watts, RSPB

In a recent survey with members we discovered that whilst 84% of your organisations have a standpoint on climate change, only 45% of your organisations have a clear plan in place to respond to that standpoint. This workshop will explore what the blockages are (organisational, knowledge, resources) and develop a plan for how Fit for the Future can help organisations take practical action. The workshop will be facilitated by members of Fit for the Future’s Adaptation Working Group, which was set up this year.

“Power House: cutting energy in historic buildings” in a seminar chaired by Mike Hudson, Director of the Renewable Energy Investment programme, National Trust – featuring Caroline Cattini, Historic England, Michael McNerney, The Charterhouse, & Paul Southall, National Trust

Fit for the Future members collectively own more than 40,000 buildings, many of which are pre-1919. This seminar will include case studies on how National Trust and Charterhouse have successfully reduced energy consumption within heritage and listed buildings; Historic England will also share best practice examples and principles for installing renewables within historic buildings. The session will be chaired by Mike Hudson, Programme Director for the National Trust’s Renewable Energy Investment Programme and include a Q&A.2.45pm: Tea, coffee and networking

3.30: Workshop session 2

       (As above)

4.45: Closing remarks by Chloe Hampson, Network Manager

5.00: Evening drinks reception

5.45: Launch of Ambassadors programme by Sir Ed Davey, featuring Dame Helen Ghosh, Director General of the National Trust and Sarah Butler-Sloss, Founder Director of Ashden

7.00: Close

Click here for more information about all of our speakers

Other exciting highlights:

• Meet our friendly exhibitors, including Priva, Ecotricity, Ecova and Carbon Credentials
• Network with a huge range of our members – over 75 organisations are already signed up such as Cancer Research UK, Church of England, Forestry Commission, Historic Royal Palaces, RNLI and many more…
• Find out about Stories of Change in a unique photo exhibition
• Celebrate with free drinks during our evening reception

The Stories of Change project has explored the past, present and future of energy through the powerful stories of individuals, groups and communities to create inspiring case studies that help raise awareness and understanding of our relationship with it.

With funding from the Arts and Humanities Research Council, the project has collaborated with organisations including the National Trust, Fit For the Future Network and Community Energy England to show how transforming our energy in response to climate change can change life for the better.

Using written, audio and photographic material, the project has documented a range of stories including how a wind turbine has benefitted the Hebridean island of Tiree. There is also content describing how Gloucester Cathedral has embraced solar technology, reducing carbon emissions in the RNLI means more funds are available for front line services and the positive impacts energy schemes can have on communities, biodiversity and  even household bills.

Who should attend?

This event is for member organisations of Fit for the Future Network only. Colleagues within member organisations who have not previously been to a Network event are welcome.

If you are not a member of Fit for the Future but are interested in attending please email Hannah Mann: hannah.mann@nationaltrust.org.uk

Cancellation policy

The event is free to attend but there is a fee of £60 for those that cancel within 10 days of the event or do not show up on the day.

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