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Leading Experts Announced for UKATA Asbestos Conference 2025

UKATA is excited to announce a distinguished lineup of speakers and exhibitors for the UKATA Asbestos Conference 2025, taking place on 26 June 2025 at The Belfry Hotel, Nottingham.

The conference will provide attendees with unparalleled access to thought leaders who are shaping the future of asbestos management, regulatory compliance and occupational health. UKATA is committed to uniting experts from diverse fields to spark insightful discussions that will shape the future of asbestos safety and drive innovation. UKATA is thrilled to welcome such an esteemed panel of industry experts to share their knowledge and expertise.

This year, UKATA have expanded their reach beyond the asbestos industry, extending invitations to clients, duty holders, health and safety professionals, and key decision-makers who play a vital role in asbestos management and compliance.

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Expert Speaker Lineup

Andrew Coleman Chartered Surveyor, COH Surveyors
Andrew Coleman is a seasoned chartered surveyor with extensive experience assessing asbestos risks in commercial and residential buildings. His session will provide valuable insights into how surveyors interact with asbestos registers and implement effective risk management strategies to ensure compliance and safety.

Joanna Parker Group Asbestos Lead, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust
As the Group Asbestos Lead for one of the UK’s largest NHS Trusts, Joanna Parker brings a wealth of experience in managing asbestos within healthcare settings. Her presentation will address the complexities of handling asbestos in hospital environments, including risk assessments and compliance challenges.

Tracy Williams Operations Director, Occupational Health and Wellbeing Lead, MACE
With extensive experience in occupational health and safety, Tracy Williams leads Mace’s efforts to enhance worker wellbeing, particularly focusing on respiratory hazards in construction. Tracey’s presentation will explore proactive approaches to protecting workers from airborne contaminants.

Martin Saunders Senior Scientist, Health – Exposure Control Group, Health & Safety Executive (HSE)
A key figure in the HSE, Martin Saunders plays a crucial role in shaping asbestos policy and enforcement. He will explore the mineralogical variations in asbestos deposits and their implications for asbestos type identification. Focusing on anthophyllite’s historical use in Scandinavia, its occurrence in UK materials and the resulting challenges for accurate assessment and management.

Professor Roger Willey Director, UKATA
A leading authority on asbestos science, Professor Roger Willey has dedicated decades to researching asbestos exposure risks. Roger will share new research on asbestos release during fires, using data from controlled burns of ACM-containing buildings. He’ll examine the risks to First Responders, linking findings to post-9/11 health impacts and propose strategies to reduce exposure in emergency scenarios.

Pete Harris Micad Systems UK Ltd
Pete Harris is an expert in Digital Compliance Solutions. He will showcase how digital platforms like Micad improve asbestos record-keeping and risk management. His presentation explores common data management challenges, the benefits of independent systems and how evolving technology is making asbestos information more accessible for safer, more efficient property management.

Adrian Budgen Partner, Irwin Mitchell Solicitors
Adrian Budgen, a leading expert in asbestos-related disease litigation will delve into the landmark June Hancock mesothelioma case, recently featured on BBC Radio 4’s Assume Nothing: Killer Dust. His presentation explores the legal fight against asbestos manufacturers, highlighting the profound personal and societal impact of corporate negligence.

Samantha Westbrook Clinical Nurse Specialist, Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Samantha Westbrook is the UK's first dedicated Peritoneal Mesothelioma Clinical Nurse Specialist. She will provide an overview of peritoneal mesothelioma, focusing on its clinical challenges, treatment strategies and the importance of a multidisciplinary approach. A real-world case study will highlight the complexities of managing this rare asbestos-related cancer.

Adam Harding, UKATA - Sam Collins, BOHS - Colette Willoughby, NORAC

A chance to learn how BOHS, UKATA, and NORAC are collaborating to improve role clarity in asbestos remediation. This session will explore how joint efforts, updated training syllabi and NORAC’s new guidance on analyst welfare are driving improvements in safety, efficiency and industry-wide understanding.

Sam Lord HM Principal Specialist Inspector, HSE
A leading authority on asbestos regulation in the UK, Sam Lord will deliver a crucial update on the Health and Safety Executive’s latest initiatives. Drawing on her extensive experience in enforcement and policy, Sam will discuss recent inspection findings, key compliance challenges and the HSE’s ongoing ‘Duty to Manage Asbestos’ campaign.

Speaking of the line up UKATA Chief Operating Officer, Craig Evans said: "With such a respected lineup of speakers, this year’s conference reaffirms UKATA’s role as a leading voice in asbestos awareness and training. Attendees will leave better informed, better connected, and better prepared to raise industry standards. I look forward to welcoming you to #UKATACON25”

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Exhibitors

Get ready for a bigger and better exhibition space, featuring industry-leading exhibitors showcasing the latest products, services, and innovations in asbestos management, training, and safety. Alongside our expert-led conference sessions, the exhibition will provide attendees with unmissable networking and business opportunities.

Alpha Tracker by Start Software – A cloud-based platform designed to streamline environmental risk and compliance management.

Marlowe Environmental Services – One of the UK’s foremost providers of integrated environmental compliance and risk management solutions.

Micad Systems – A trusted UK provider of cloud-based estates and facilities management software.

Irwin Mitchell – A leading UK law firm, providing expert legal and financial services to individuals and businesses.

Global Asbestos Forum Magazine – A new high-quality publication dedicated to sharing expert knowledge and raising awareness about every aspect of asbestos.

Mesothelioma UK – The national charity for anyone affected by mesothelioma. They exist to support people with mesothelioma to live better and live longer and to prevent mesothelioma happening to future generations.

Casella - A division of TSI, is a global leader in the manufacture and supply of occupational hygiene and environmental monitoring equipment.

On confirming the exhibitors, for this years’ conference, Craig added “We are thrilled to have such a diverse range of innovators and areas of expertise at #UKATACON25, allowing delegates to benefit from offers and opportunities available from industry leaders.”

This must-attend event is ideal for health and safety professionals, asbestos trainers, property managers and anyone involved in asbestos awareness and risk management. Don’t miss this incredible chance to engage with top professionals and expand industry knowledge.

There are still a few fantastic sponsorship opportunities available offering organisations a unique chance to showcase their brand to a targeted audience of health and safety professionals and industry leaders. From event branding to networking exposure, sponsors can benefit from enhanced visibility and alignment with UKATA’s commitment to high standards in asbestos training and awareness.

For any sponsorship or conference enquiries, contact Kelly-Anne at Kelly-anne.smith@ukata.org.uk. For full details and to register, click here: https://conference.ukata.org.uk/

UKATA, a leading association, is dedicated to enhancing the quality and standards of asbestos training with the aim to shield workers and the public from the hazards of asbestos exposure.

The association collaborates closely with its members to guarantee that they have access to the latest information, training resources, and industry updates. They provide a suite of support services to assist them in accomplishing their training objectives. Their membership encompasses a diverse array of organisations involved in asbestos training, including training providers, asbestos removal contractors, consultants, and equipment suppliers.

UKATA is fervent about promoting safe and responsible working practices, committed to working with members and partners to realise a shared vision of protecting workers and the public from the hazards linked with asbestos exposure.

Register here

Published on Tuesday 3rd June 2025