SiLC Annual Forum 2025

The SiLC Annual Forum 2025 took place virtually on Thursday 27th March Chaired by Louise Beale  (SiLC PTP Chair).

This half day event brought together industry professionals for an exciting programme of presentations and discussions.

This year’s Annual Forum programme was developed to recognise the 25th anniversary of the formation of SiLC. The topics in the first session focused on how we work as SiLCs including how we communicate risk, deal with sites in the media and an overview of the media perspective in relation to land condition.

The second session covered  current hot topics including updates on climate change risk assessment, materials reuse and an interactive panel discussion on how brownfield development can support growth with views on planning, the grey belt, circular land use and the SDGs to enable land condition professionals to promote competence and technical expertise within the industry.  Finally the last session looked to the future for land condition practitioners covering topics including AI, big data and innovative PFAS remediation.

£72 for SiLC Members, £32.40 for Retired SiLC Members, and £111.60 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.

To receive a copy of the recording please email  silc@silc.org.uk

PRESENTATIONS

25 Years of SiLC  by Louise Beale (Integration Manager at SLR Consulting)

As SiLC celebrates its 25 year anniversary this year we reflect on its origins, why those reasons are still relevant today and recognise some of the people who have contributed to SiLC’s evolution over the years.  We consider how it has evolved and where it can go next.

PDF to AGS: alchemy or AI-chemy? by Judith Nathanail (Director at Land Quality Management Ltd)

Factual ground investigation information is captured in borehole logs and laboratory certificates but then locked up in PDFs that get passed between multiple professionals during the lifecycle of land (re)development.  Judith presents on how Innovate UK’s AI in Construction Programme funded LQM’s Buried Treasure project to use AI to extract AGS data from borehole log and laboratory certificate PDFs.  A quick method to turn PDFs into AGS data will ensure the treasure trove of insights buried in the PDFs can inform ground models and support improved interpretation of land contamination risks

Land Development, Climate Change, and EWE: Industry Survey Insights & Updates by Andrew Fellows  (Associate Technical Director at RSK )

RSK Geosciences are preparing a good practice guide for managing climate change geo-related impacts and liabilities in land development for CIRIA. Andrew will present the key findings of an industry survey that has helped informed this work, provide an update on the status of the guidance document to date, and some key learning points for the construction sector.

The Future of Subsurface by Holger Kessler (Senior Stakeholder Manager at  AtkinsRéalis)

Holger will present key insights from The Future of the Subsurface Foresight Project. The subsurface has long shaped society, providing essential resources and infrastructure. As demands grow, pressures on underground space will intensify. Its role in achieving net zero, adapting to climate change, and supporting innovation is crucial, but congestion risks may challenge future land use and planning.

Communicating technical stuff in a way that doesn’t freak communities out by Tom Pashby  (Senior Reporter at New Civil Engineer)

Public relations is a critical part of the job for technical professionals, whether or not it is formally listed in role descriptions. This presentation will provide a snapshot into how communications and public relations have changed, and what specialists in land condition can do to grasp the nettle

High Stakes Stakeholder Engagement! by Joe Jackson (Managing Director at Jackson Remediation)

Remediation can give rise to nuisance unless carefully controlled.  Furthermore, the engagement with key stakeholders is critical and often perception is just as important as reality.  In this session we offer some real-world examples of effective engagement, which have led to stakeholders being the projects’ greatest advocates.

Risk Based Management of the Emerging contaminants of ca 2050 by Paul Nathanail (Director at LQM)

SiLC marks its 25th birthday at a time when the value of underemployed land is being appreciated – once again.  SOME brownfield land is affected by contamination. SOME brownfield land condition is better and some worse than the condition of the previous “green”field land.  Paul will look back to look forward to see if the substance that could be emerging contaminants in 2050 can be foreseen and prevented from acquiring that emerging status.

Findings of a SiLC and CIRIA Soil CoP Stakeholder Workshop on the Future Policy and Regulation of Excavated Materials by Tom Henman (Director at RSK Geosciences and RSK Environment Ltd)

Tom’s presentation will cover the findings of a recent joint stakeholder workshop on the current issues and challenges limiting sustainable reuse of excavated materials in England and Wales. He will discuss the resulting ‘green paper’ and the options to consider developed, including  planning-led approaches, applying the waste hierarchy making disposal a last resort, and changing the legal definition of waste.

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.

Andrew Fellows  (Associate Technical Director at RSK )

Andrew specialises in land contamination and has been a SiLC since 2022. His specialist area is in quantitative risk assessment and in 2018 was accredited for all disciplines by SoBRA. In 2023 Andrew won the Environment Analyst ‘Technical Lead of the Year’ award for his commitment to sustainable solutions and training others.

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.   Paul is the lead author of CIRIA’s guide on PFAS (C819), supervised research projects on microplastics, featured in a Maggie Philbin documentary on phthalates, and has burnt several non-stick pans.

Tom Pashby  (Senior Reporter at New Civil Engineer)

Tom is a senior reporter at New Civil Engineer. They are also the founder of LGBTQIA+ campaign Include Mx. They previously worked as a digital journalist at IEMA (the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment) and spent 10 years in environmental politics. Tom has run for parliament twice (2017, 2019).

Judith Nathanail (Director at 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.

Holger Kessler (Senior Stakeholder Manager at  AtkinsRéalis)

With 25 years of experience in geoscience, Holger has developed scientific, technical, and policy solutions at all scales, connecting stakeholders to drive progress. He has led major projects like the UK National Underground Asset Register and a Foresight project on subsurface resources. Now at AtkinsRéalis, he strengthens networks to enhance infrastructure, sustainability, and decision-making for a better future.

Joe Jackson (Managing Director at Jackson Remediation)

Joe has over 25 years of experience and a very strong technical understanding of contaminated land / environmental risk and associated development issues, underpinned by an acute commercial understanding and an entrepreneurial approach to project delivery.  Joe established Jackson Remediation in 2021 and has managed its growth to being one of the UK’s leading remediation contractors.

Dr. Tom Henman (Director at RSK )

Tom has over 25 years’ experience in the assessment and management of land affected by contamination. His diverse and innovative project work has been recognised in several UK Brownfield Awards including major brownfield infrastructure and advice to Government on stakeholder engagement and risk communication. He has been actively involved with AGS, EIC, CIRIA and CL:AIRE and has worked with universities on collaborative research projects.

Panel speakers:

Carrie Rose ( Technical Director at Arcadis and Panel Chair)

Carrie is a Technical Director and Head of Geoenvironmental at Arcadis. She has 20+ years of experience in the land condition sector and has a broad range of experience. She is a registered SiLC, SQP (NQMS), QP (DoWCoP), CEnv, CSci, CWEM and FCIWEM. She is also on the SiLC Professional Technical Panel.

Andrew Lawrance (Divisional Director at Mott Macdonald)

Andrew is a chartered chemist and scientist and has been a SiLC since 2006. With almost 30 years Mott MacDonald experience, he has moved into operational management roles, whilst maintaining contaminated land technical skills and a passion for urban regeneration projects. He has recently taken on a role leading Mott MacDonald’s UK flood defence business.

David Carr (Lead Scientific Officer Environmental and Community Protection at Dacorum Borough Council)

David has 21 years of Local Authority Environmental Health experience focussing on land contamination, environmental permitting and local air quality. Preceded by 6 years in environmental consultancy. He is currently a CIEH Environmental Protection Advisory Panel member and on the National Contaminated Land Officers Group Committee.

Paul Sheehan (Director Geo Southeast at Stantec)

Paul has 25 years of experience in contaminated land assessment and remediation as a regulator, consultant, and contractor in the UK and internationally. He specialises in Contaminated Land Regulations, planning, and nuisance. As former Chairman of The National Brownfield Forum, he helped promote sustainable land use, collaborating with regulators, industry, and policymakers.

xxxxSiLC ANNUAL FORUM 2023

The SiLC Annual Forum 2023 took place virtually on Wednesday 29th March 2023.

This half day event (9:30am – 13:30), Chaired by Tom Henman (SiLC PTP Chair), bought together industry professionals for a stellar programme of presentations and discussions.

This event was divided into two sessions; Climate & Sustainability and Looking into the Future,  and there was a panel discussion, Chaired by Claire Dickinson on the topic, “What do land condition professionals consider they need to understand to tackle climate change and sustainability challenges?”

The event was sponsored by Jackson Remediation, Vertase FLI, AECOM,  Statom Group, Element, Arcadis, Evonik, and Unyte Waste.

Please note this video is password protected. If you attended the SiLC Annual Forum and would like to view the webinar replay please contact silc@silc.org.uk for access details.

VIEW THE EVENT PROGRAMME HERE.

Registration for this event has now closed.

PRESENTATIONS

Voices of Early Careers Professionals – What does sustainability mean to me?

Delivering Effective and Sustainable Materials Management on National Infrastructure Projects (Carrie Rose, Associated Technical Director at Atkins and Ian Evans, Senior Technical Director at Arcadis Consulting (UK))

Please note due to client confidentiality, we’re unable to share Carrie and Ian’s presentation within the Annual Forum replay.

The Development and Application of Carbon Calculator Tools to Sustainable Development (Sarah Cook, Associate Director, Leap Environmental)

Understanding the Relationship Between Soil Biodiversity and Soil Health (Dr Felicity Crotty, Senior Lecturer in Soil Science and Ecology at the Royal Agricultural University)

Panel Discussion: “What do land condition professionals consider they need to understand to tackle climate change and sustainability challenges?”

• Claire Dickinson, Director, Geo-environmental Matters (Panel Chair)
• Amy Juden, Associate at The Environmental Protection Group
• Martin Ballard CEnv CMgr FIEMA, Group Head of Environment, Wates
• Robert Tyler, Environmental Quality Officer at the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea
• Nina Pimblett, Sector Guidance Lead, Transition Plan Taskforce (TPT) Secretariat
• Mark Hill, Climate & Sustainability – Lead at The Pensions Regulator

The Scottish Centre for Geopoetics – Poetry Reading

Post-Brexit Regulation of Excavated Materials: Waste Not Want Not; Waste, Want or Not; Want, Not Waste; Not Want, Waste (Paul Nathanail, Director at LQM)

Evolving Environmental Risks and the Insurance Market (Robert Wade, Environmental Underwriting Manager, The Hartford and Thomas Hughes, Senior Market Services Executive, International Underwriting Association)

PFAS: What the UK can learn from Jersey and Guernsey approach to PFAS (James Lemon, Associate Technical Director, Arcadis)