A huge hit: the Northumbrian Water 2024 Developer Conference

Bringing together over 80 members of the homebuilding community, the Northumbrian Water Developer Services 2024 conference was a great success!

Feedback included how the day was ‘great, packed with things to do’, ‘an excellent day, very informative and well organised’ and how it was ‘great to meet new people and network.’

Hosted in early June at The Fed, Gateshead, we were joined by representatives from some of the largest national homebuilders, Self-Lay Providers, NAVs and design and construction consultants to explore how innovative approaches can help us unlock solutions for the future.

Claire Sharp, Customer Director, hosted the day and set the scene in her welcome address, highlighting how collaboration and innovation were central to our preparations for future growth and changes over the next 5 years within the homebuilding market.

• Kicking us off in our keynote speech, Hannah Rapson from Vistry Group explored how the Innovation Centre and other work Vistry are leading on is vital to their roadmap to net zero as well as the delivery of the Future Homes Standard.
• Inspired by our Innovation Festival, our Head of Innovation, Angela Macoscar, introduced an energetic and engaging “Dash”, a rapid style sprint workshop facilitated by Lauren Briggs and Jack Hutchinson.

       The tabletop exercise allowed participants to unpack how the

       homebuilding and developer communities can implement greater

       and more consistent water efficiency and sustainable drainage 

       solutions across new development projects.

       Ideas generated included smart showers, greywater harvesting

       systems and purpose build water butts. We’ll be taking all ideas

       forward into our planning for future charging arrangements.

       Zero Water Bills, an idea generated at the dash, will be explored

       further at our 2024 Innovation Festival in its own bespoke

       session. 

• In the afternoon, a series of breakout sessions explored the latest hot topics in the water and homebuilding communities, including navigating new connection rules, implementing Schedule 3, nutrient neutrality and storm overflow solutions, helping customers to save water, the National Underground Asset Register and the Digital Future of Developer Services. 

We were also joined by a range of exhibitors from the construction and supply chain industry showcasing leading services and cutting-edge technology, including time for networking.

We’d like to extend our thanks to everyone who attended and contributed to the success of the NWL Developer Services Conference 2024. Your participation and enthusiasm made this event truly memorable.