SBS and NHDG Chair Derek Horrocks speaks at GMCA retrofit gathering about strategic area-based decarbonisation
Through our membership to the National Home Decarbonisation Group (NHDG), and our owner Derek Horrocks’ role as group Chair, we were recently involved in an important retrofit event with Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) and the Sustainable Energy Association. Public and private sector leaders came together to explore how devolved funding can accelerate an area-based approach to home retrofit delivery across the region.
Hosted at the Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce, the summit provided a platform for collaboration and discussion on the challenges and opportunities in scaling up retrofit across Greater Manchester. The event featured speakers and panellists from the government’s Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ), GMCA, housing associations and the retrofit supply chain, with a shared focus on long-term strategy, local delivery and skills development.
Derek participated in the main panel session alongside senior representatives from GMCA, the Sustainable Energy Association and Together Housing Group. He also delivered closing remarks at the end of the day.
Reflecting on his involvement, Derek said: “It was a privilege to support this important summit and contribute to a growing conversation around strategic, region-led retrofit delivery. Greater Manchester is showing clear ambition in this space, and events like this play a vital role in strengthening collaboration across the industry. Bringing people together to align priorities and build shared understanding is a crucial step in delivering retrofit at scale and pace.”
Building partnerships to drive progress
With sessions covering important components in the successful delivery of area-based retrofit – including supply chain and skills, scalability and strategy, technology and innovation, and finance and investment – the latest NHDG event offered valuable insight into how local and national partners can work more closely to accelerate delivery. SBS and the National Home Decarbonisation Group continue to champion this kind of joined-up approach to help meet the UK’s climate goals and unlock long-term social and economic benefits through retrofit.
For all our latest updates and sector insights, visit https://www.sustainablebuildinguk.com/news/
