Overview
The IMechE Construction and Building Services Division invites members, guests and industry colleagues to the 2026 CBSD Annual Reception and Forum, taking place at One Birdcage Walk on Thursday 5 November 2026, from 17:00 to 20:00.
This year's theme, Building Resilience: Adapting to Heat and a Changing Climate, will consider how a changing climate is reshaping the conditions in which buildings, infrastructure and major projects must be designed, delivered, retrofitted and operated.
The forum will open with a keynote address from Sam Longman, Head of Sustainability – Corporate Environment, Transport for London (TfL), who will provide a major infrastructure owner's perspective on climate resilience, adaptation and sustainability. His presentation will consider the practical challenges and opportunities associated with delivering resilient infrastructure and services in the face of increasing heat risk and a changing climate.
The programme will then explore how the engineering and construction sectors can move from climate and energy-transition commitments to practical, investable and deliverable interventions. We will examine how climate adaptation can be integrated with decarbonisation and the energy transition, while balancing performance, affordability, constructability and whole-life value, including contributions on:
- Building-services engineering and practical implementation perspectives, including resilient design and retrofit, passive measures, systems performance and future cooling needs; and
- Healthy buildings and occupant outcomes, including ventilation, indoor air quality, moisture, overheating, health, comfort and wellbeing.
A moderated panel discussion will bring these perspectives together and invite questions from the audience. The discussion will follow a clear progression from the strategic climate challenge, through delivery choices and building performance, to healthy and resilient outcomes.
The evening will also include the CBSD Prize Giving, together with opportunities for members and guests to network over refreshments.
Whether your work involves building-services engineering, project delivery, design, construction, asset management, retrofit, sustainability or climate adaptation, this event will provide an opportunity to hear complementary industry perspectives and contribute to the discussion.
EVENT TIMINGS AND VENUE
Timings:
17:00 - Arrival, refreshments and networking
17:30 - Welcome & Introduction
17:40 - Keynote Presentation from Sam Longman, Head of Sustainability – Corporate Environment, TfL
18:10 - Panel Perspective – Frank Mills & Chunli Cao
18:30 - Q&A Session
19:10 - Evening Reception
20:00 - Event Close
Venue:
Institution of Mechanical Engineers
1 Birdcage Walk
London
SW1H 9JJ