SiLC Annual Forum 2026
The SiLC Annual Forum 2026 will take place virtually on Thursday 26th March Chaired by Louise Beale (SiLC PTP Chair).
We are delighted to announce that The SiLC Annual Forum 2026 which will take place virtually on Thursday 26th March 9.30am – 1.30pm
Chaired by Louise Beale Chair of the SiLC PTP (SLR Consulting) This half day event will bring together industry professionals for an exciting programme of presentations and discussions.
The 2026 SiLC Annual forum is set around the themes of Air, Land and Water. Under each of these themes we will explore a case study then go on to discuss recent technical guidance or regulatory approaches. The final section in each theme will look to the future considering innovation or what to look out for.
We are delighted to have some fantastic speakers across a range of current topics including Emma Evans (Arcadis) with a case study of remediation , Judith Nathanail (Land Quality Management ltd) showcasing digital solutions for groundwater and PFAS data management, Paul Nathanail (Land Quality Management ltd) on lessons learned from a recent Part IIA case and Marie Armstrong and George Hannan (Element) speaking about PFAS stack emissions. Paul will also be chatting to Joe Jackson (Jackson Remediation) and Neil Hopkins (Biogenie) on all things remediation, including the good, the bad and the things that fill them with dread!
There will also be a informative panel discussion with Regulators from England, Wales and Scotland examining the value of multiple disciplines working together.
Further details about the speakers and presentations scheduled will be announced in due course. Book your place today.
£78 for SiLC Members, £36 for Retired SiLC Members, and £120 for Non SiLCs. For Affiliate Schemes the rate is £70 per ticket, with Local Authority & Other Public Sectors, Jobseeking/Graduates and Students welcome to register free of charge. All prices include VAT.
Register Here.
silc@silc.org.uk
PRESENTATIONS
‘IAQM & LCC Guidance’: Good Practice on Air Quality Monitoring for Brownfield Projects
by Professor Claire Holman
Claire’s presentation will explain why the guidance is needed and outline good practice for monitoring and managing air quality during the remediation of brownfield sites, particularly former gasworks sites. She will emphasise the importance of contaminated land and air quality specialists working collaboratively (both consultants and local authority officers). Air emissions during remediation have often been inadequately considered during the planning process, and local residents are alarmed when they smell unfamiliar chemicals. Community liaison is important!
Substance-tive Smoke – Lessons from Part 2A
by Paul Nathanail –(Director at Land Quality Management Ltd)
Part 2A requires local authorities to inspect their areas to decide if substances in on or under the land are posing a high enough risk to require statutory action. A recent Part 2A case revolved around air quality and whether or not smoke could be such a substance.
Air & Emissions Analysis Update
by Marie Armstrong –(Senior technical specialist at Element) and George Hannan-(Technical Specialist at Element)
In this webinar, Marie and George will speak of gaseous PFAS but also of PFAS in air emissions and ambient air. They will present the difference of these 2 types of PFAS, describe the 2 methods prescribed by the EA for their analyses: OTM 45 and OTM 50 on the sampling side as well as the analytical side. They will also touch on another more niche technology for PFAS in gas with SIFT-MS.
Delivering Confidence in Land Quality: Temple Island Remediation and Verification in Practice
by Emma Evans-(Associate Technical Director at Arcadis)
Temple Island is a tidally influenced brownfield site where complex land quality risks required collaborative decision making and strong stakeholder engagement. Under tight investor timescales, a rapid remediation solution was developed. This case study summarises how risk assessment informed remediation objectives, options appraisal, strategy selection, and verification were approached to enable redevelopment.
SoBRA controlled waters and climate change guidance update
by Helen McMillan –(Technical Director at RSK Geosciences)
Building on the award-winning 2022 guidance, the SoBRA controlled waters and climate change subgroup has released a 2026 update to align with evolving UK policy and guidance. Helens presentation explores the key enhancements including signposting to updated climate projection databases and further exploring the influence of extreme weather events on the conceptual site model (CSM).
All the Seats Are Gone: Making the Most of Open-Source Tools for Groundwater and PFAS
by Judith Nathanail– (Director of Land Quality Management Ltd)
Geoenvironmental projects generate lots of data, and there are great commercial tools to help us visualise and analyse it. But sometimes that software isn’t available “when I need it, all the seats are gone” or you just need a quick fix for a specific angle. Open-source tools like QGIS have hidden power that takes time to uncover, and a wealth of relevant open data exists but is scattered. Judith’s presentation will showcases the open-source tools and open datasets that she uses day-to-day when investigating groundwater contamination.
SPEAKERS
Louise Beale- Webinar Chair (Integration Manager at SLR Consulting)
Louise has worked in environmental consultancy for 30 years advising clients on land quality issues associated with the ownership and development of brownfield land including material reuse. She has been Chair of the SILC PTP since Spring 2024 and a member of the PTP since 2019.
Lucy Bethell- (Technical Director at Mott Macdonald)
Lucy is a Technical Director in contaminated land at Mott MacDonald with over 20 years of experience in the sector and has worked on a range of brownfield projects in the UK, Europe and Africa. Lucy has a keen interest in emerging contaminants, Antimicrobial Resistance and big-picture cross-discipline challenges.
Professor Claire Holman-( Director at Kalaco)
Claire is a Director of Kalaco, an air quality, odour and climate change consultancy, a visiting professor at the University of the West of England and President of the IAQM. She is a co-author of the 2025 IAQM guidance on monitoring air quality around brownfield sites.
Paul Nathanail –( Director at Land Quality Management Ltd)
Paul is a director of specialist contaminated land consultancy LQM. He offers expert witness and intelligent client services, delivers live and online training courses and carries out DQRAs. He balances consultancy, research and knowledge transfer in the fields of sustainable contaminated land management, brownfield redevelopment and circular land use.
Marie Armstrong –(Senior technical specialist at Element)
Marie has been working at Element in Deeside for more than 10 years. She has over 15 years’ experience in environmental analytical analysis and specialises in Mass Spectrometry, Liquid Chromatography and PFAS. Emma is currently developing new methods in these fields for Element, especially methods for PFAS analysis which she explains seems to be a never-ending topic.
George Hannan-(Technical Specialist at Element)
George has worked at Element Deeside for over 10 years, with 13 years analytical analysis experience. He specialises in gas chromatography of volatile and gas analysis using a wide variety of techniques and detectors. George is currently working on development methods for PFAS and PAH analysis in Stack emissions and ambient air.
Emma Evans- (Associate Technical Director at Arcadis)
Emma has 19 years’ consultancy experience delivering contaminated land and brownfield regeneration projects the UK and Europe. She leads land quality assessments for large multidisciplinary projects. Emma has a keen interest in climate change resilience and contributed to the SoBRA guidance on assessing controlled waters risk under future climate conditions.
Joe Jackson– (Managing Director at Jackson Remediation)
Joe has been working in contaminated land for over 25 years and established Jackson Remediation in 2021. He started his career as an Environmental Consultant and has a strong technical background which is at the core of the Jackson Remediation offering. Jackson Remediation seeks the best solutions for the project in an holistic and collaborative manner. The core principles of Jackson Remediation are Excellence and Respect. Joe is a registered QP and is actively involved at the sharp (stoney and ‘soily’) end of materials reuse.
Neil Hopkins- (Strategic Design Manager at Biogenie)
Neil is a senior brownfield enabling specialist with over 20 years’ experience delivering complex remediation schemes across sites with varied historical uses and redevelopment goals. He brings established expertise in the design and implementation of in situ and ex situ remediation technologies, always seeking practical, collaborative solutions that deliver the best outcomes for the project.
Helen McMillan – (Technical Director at RSK Geosciences)
Helen has over 20 years’ experience specialising in the development of robust and sustainable solutions to land contamination problems. Helen led the SoBRA climate change and controlled waters subgroup and co-authored the associated guidance.
Judith Nathanail– (Director of Land Quality Management Ltd)
Judith trained as an engineering geologist and has over 30 years consulting experience working on contaminated land. She is passionate about applying data science to solving geoenvironmental challenges. Recent projects include automating the prioritisation of potentially contaminated land for a local authority, creating a remediation greenhouse gas emissions calculator, using data to map renewable energy potential and an Innovate UK project using AI.
Panel Discussion- “Value of multiple disciplines working together”
The Annual Forum will include a panel discussion on “The value of multiple disciplines working together” led by David Carr with Sarah Hamill, Rebekah Norbury and Rachael Davies representing Regulators from different parts of the United Kingdom. They will discuss some of the key issues and challenges that commonly occur in their roles with respect to brownfield sites, the drivers behind recent and ongoing NCLOG initiatives and the value of working with colleagues to support the multidisciplinary nature of brownfield redevelopment regulation. The discussion will also include an audience Q&A to discuss the points raised in further detail
David Carr – Panel Chair (Scientific Lead Officer – Environmental Health at Dacorum Borough Council)
David is a Lead Science Officer at Dacorum Borough Council, overseeing land contamination, environmental permitting, and air quality. With over 20 years’ regulatory experience, he has managed Part 2A projects and advised planning authorities. He serves on the CIEH Advisory Panel, the SiLC Technical Panel, and NCLOG, leading work on report review tools.
Sarah Hamill- (Contaminated Land Officer at West Dunbartonshire Council)
Sarah has served as Contaminated Land Officer for West Dunbartonshire Council since 2006, leading Part IIA investigations and remediation projects. She supports major housing and regeneration schemes, including EXXON Bowling, the Former Carless Oil Refinery, and Queens Quay. Sarah is a Full IES member, sits on the NCLOG committee, and contributes to national land contamination guidance updates.
Rebekah Norbury – (Enforcement Officer (Contaminated Land) at Cheshire East Council)
Rebekah Norbury is a Contaminated Land Officer at Cheshire East Council with around 15 years’ local authority experience, following six years in environmental consultancy. She serves on the NCLOG Steering Committee and is a Chartered Chemist. She also supports air quality education work and contributes to school outreach as a STEM Ambassador.
Sponsorship
HEADLINE SPONSOR
BIOGENIE Remediation UK Ltd
BIOGENIE are a brownfield remediation and enabling works contractor specialising in cost-effective, risk-based remediation solutions. Their expertise lies in the on-site treatment of contaminated soil and groundwater, utilising advanced biological, chemical, and physical processes to maximise material reuse while minimising costs and programme
GOLD SPONSORS
Jackson Remediation
Jackson Remediation is delighted to continue our support of the SiLC annual forum as the work of SiLC aligns closely with our core values of Respect and Excellence. We wholeheartedly encourage transparency across the industry, promote the highst standards of sustainable remediation and welcome the opportunity to both contribute to, and learn from others experiences.
Element
Element Materials Technology is a leading global provider of Testing, Inspection, and Certification services. Our environmental business operates an extensive network of laboratories supported by industry leading experts. We provide accredited testing and reliable data to support all your regulatory needs. We analyse soils, waters, emissions, effluents, leachates, wastes, sediments, asbestos, ash, gases, and more.
Arcadis is a leading global design and consultancy firm for natural and built assets. With a commitment to sustainability and innovation, Arcadis provides a wide range of services including design, engineering, and project management across sectors such as infrastructure, water, environment, government, defence, technology and energy. Arcadis has a rich history of delivering exceptional value to clients by combining deep technical expertise with cutting edge technology and innovative solutions. Operating in over 70 countries, Arcadis is dedicated to improving quality of life through sustainable solutions that enhance social, environmental, and economic outcomes.
Vertase FLI
VertaseFLI is a client focused remediation and enabling contractor. Technical excellence and innovation has always been at the core of our offering and we have been strong supporters of SilC since its inception. Our strong technical understanding has allowed us to work on and deliver some of the most problematic remediation sites in the UK, utilising a wide range of remediation technologies.