UKATA is proud to announce the success of the 2025 UKATA Asbestos Conference - Beyond Awareness: Taking Action on Asbestos, which took place on 26 June 2025 at The Belfry Nottingham, bringing together almost 120 delegates from across the education sector, health and safety industry, legal sector, NHS, and more for a powerful day of learning, discussion and collaboration.
This year’s conference built on the expanded format introduced in 2024, delivering a dynamic agenda that combined expert knowledge, technological innovation and real-life experiences from across the sector. The event featured leading voices from construction, healthcare, law, technology and policy, showcasing UKATA’s commitment to driving standards and putting people at the centre of asbestos safety.
Opening the event, UKATA Chief Operating Officer Craig Evans highlighted the significance of the conference in the wider industry landscape:
“This conference has grown into far more than an annual gathering; it’s a catalyst for change across the asbestos sector. It brings together not just the people delivering training, but also those shaping policy, driving innovation and providing frontline support to those affected by asbestos-related disease.
Our aim is to create a platform where transparency, best practice and lived experience come together to shape a safer and more informed industry. Events like this allow us to listen and to challenge outdated thinking, and to move forward as a united sector with a clear sense of purpose. I’m proud of how UKATA continues to lead from the front, and I’m grateful to my staff team, the board of directors, every delegate, speaker and exhibitor who helped make the conference such a valuable and inspiring experience.”
Attendees heard from leading voices including Dr. Yvonne Waterman, Andrew Coleman, Joanna Parker, Tracy Williams, Martin Saunders, Professor Roger Willey, Peter Harris, Adrian Budgen, Samantha Westbrook, Adam Harding, Sam Collins, Colette Willoughby and keynote speaker Sam Lord. Topics covered included the management of asbestos in the NHS, new guidance on analyst welfare, the role of occupational health in construction, asbestos exposure in house fires, and the landmark June Hancock legal case.
An impactful update from the Health and Safety Executive’s Sam Lord offered insight into current national priorities and the ongoing Duty to Manage campaign.
Throughout the day, delegates participated in Q&A panels, networking sessions and explored the latest innovations and services showcased by specialist exhibitors including Alpha tracker, Casella, Irwin Mitchell, Global Asbestos Forum Magazine, Marlowe Environmental Services, Mesothelioma UK and Micad. Their presence added depth to the event, allowing attendees to engage with new technologies and practical tools to support safer asbestos handling.
Delegates provided some exceptional feedback following the event with Kevin Quinn of Tersus Group (Hydro-X) saying UKATA’s Asbestos Conference 2025, was “one of the most useful and interesting events I’ve been to”.
Wojciech Przytulski, Asbestos Manager at P.P O'Connor Group Limited added “Great event well organised, fantastic speakers with great presentations. Fantastic opportunity for networking”.
On reviewing the feedback from the conference, UKATA Senior Operations Manager, Debbie Nixon added “Receiving such positive feedback is a true reward, especially after working closely with our incredible speaker line-up to shape the day. I'm so proud of the thought-provoking sessions they delivered and the genuine conversations they sparked throughout the event.
Thank you to all our speakers for sharing your expertise so openly.”
UKATA was also pleased to be supported by headline sponsor Government Business Magazine, represented at the event by Simon Connor, whose partnership helped elevate the conference’s profile and reinforce its relevance across the public sector.
The 2025 UKATA Asbestos Conference was more than a one-day event, it was a demonstration of what’s possible when the sector comes together. Delegates left better informed, newly connected and inspired to continue the vital work of improving asbestos safety across the UK and beyond.
Photographs from the event are available to download here.
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.
Published on Wednesday 2nd July 2025