Newcastle University

Dr Gearóid Lane
BE, MEngSc, MBA, CEng (MIGEM)
CEO of Agility Eco Services Ltd

Gearóid's biography:
Gearóid is the co-founder of Agility Eco which provides a range of professional services to clients in both the public and private sectors in the area of energy efficiency. His knowledge of residential carbon reduction and fuel poverty policy in the UK has enabled many clients to unpick complex support mechanisms and unlock funding opportunities for their vital energy efficiency and fuel poverty reduction projects. AgilityEco combines technical and commercial know-how to deliver innovative, cost effective energy saving projects. 

Formerly a member of the British Gas Executive Committee, Gearóid built its new growth businesses from startup to 4,000 employees to deliver substantial turnover and profit. As well as leading these growth businesses in smart meters, insulation, energy efficiency, microgeneration, social housing services and new technologies, he previously led Centrica’s entry into the UK power market via acquisition and development of CCGT, offshore wind and emissions trading. Through his career, Gearóid has built extensive experience of partnering and delivery in large scale capital projects, particularly in energy efficiency and low carbon retrofit. Gearóid previously served as a Member of the Green Economy Council, Renewables Advisory Board, Chair of the Energy Retail Association and Director of the Energy Saving Trust and maintains long-standing relationships with Government officials and industry professionals. 

In his spare time, Gearóid is also Vice-Chair of the The Mix charity, the UK's free, confidential helpline for young people under 25.

Keynote title: Life after Energy Company Obligation (ECO) Transition – New Opportunities and Approaches to Energy Efficient Building Retrofitting

Dr Andy Lewry
CEng CSci CEnv FIOM³ FIMMM CEnv MSocEnv FEMA
Principal Technical Consultant of Existing Buildings Team, BREEAM at Building Research Establishment (BRE)

Andy's biograpy:
I am an expert in Carbon and Energy Management with 19 years varied technical, marketing and management experience preceded by a further 10 years similar experience within various parts of the Environmental and Construction Sectors. I also have in-depth knowledge of sustainability issues including BREEAM, Home Quality Mark, ISO 14001 and 50001.

In addition to being a Fellow of both the Institute of Materials (IOM3) and the Energy Managers Association I have qualified as a project manager at Practitioner level for Prince 2 and Agile. I am currently responsible for project managing and ensuring delivery of large projects; and have considerable experience in coordinating the input of staff, associates and contractors in support of customer programmes and projects.

Over the last 10 years, I have had a leading role in investigating the “performance gap” – why buildings do not meet their design expectations in operation. As a result, I was invited to join the UK Green Building Council’s Task group that produced the “Delivering Building Performance” report; which laid out the success factors and steps required to tackle the gap between building design and building performance. I’m also qualified at Building Information Management (BIM) Level 2 as a certified BIM Informed Profession.

Keynote title: The Performance Gap between Predicted and Actual Energy Performance of Buildings

Peter's biograpy:
Peter Rickaby studied architecture at Cambridge University and holds a doctorate in energy studies from the Open University.; After qualifying he worked in leading architectural practices in Britain and New Zealand, and as Assistant Director of the Centre for Configurational Studies at The Open University, where he researched energy-related aspects of urban and regional planning.  In 1982, he founded Rickaby Thompson Associates, a specialist energy and sustainability consultancy serving the building and housing industries throughout the UK and across the EU, where he worked first as a Partner then as a Director, until 2017.  He is an accredited Low Carbon Energy Assessor through CIBSE, and a BREEAM Accredited Professional.  He has been a member of the RIBA’s Sustainable Futures Group and of the Zero Carbon Hub’s Energy Work Group.  Since 2013 he has been a member of the Board of Trustees of the National Energy Foundation.  He is currently a member of the Each Home Counts (Bonfield Review) Implementation Board, and chairs BSI’s Retrofit Standards Task Group.  He is the lead trainer for The Retrofit Academy and is active in training building and housing professionals in all aspects of low carbon design and refurbishment, presenting lectures, seminars, workshops and courses throughout the UK.

Keynote title: No Insulation without Ventilation