UKATA delivered an informative presentation at the Warmworks Technical and Sub-Contractor Forum held at the Macdonald Houstoun House Hotel in Livingston on 21 May 2026, bringing together senior delegates from across Scotland’s retrofit, housing and energy efficiency sectors.
The event welcomed installer supply chain companies, employer directors, delivery leads, technical specialists and representatives from the Scottish Government technical and policy teams to discuss the realities of delivering Net Zero retrofit programmes safely and compliantly.
The session also provided a great opportunity to highlight the recent launch of a new partnership between Warmworks and UKATA, reinforcing a shared commitment to improving awareness, governance and competency around asbestos risk management within Scotland’s housing retrofit agenda.
Opening the session, Kieran McGuire, HSE Director of Warmworks formally introduced the partnership before welcoming Head of Risk & Compliance at City Building Engineering Services and UKATA approved trainer, Duncan McNicol to deliver the executive briefing titled: “Net Zero at Pace: Delivery Risk, Retrofit Reality, and Asbestos in Scotland’s Housing Stock”
The presentation explored the increasing operational and governance pressures associated with delivering retrofit projects across older housing stock while meeting Scotland’s legally binding Net Zero targets.
Addressing the audience, Duncan McNicol highlighted that asbestos remains one of the most significant but underestimated delivery risks within domestic retrofit programmes, particularly during boiler replacements, ventilation upgrades, electrical works and fabric improvement projects.
The session focused on the practical realities facing organisations operating within pre-2000 housing stock and emphasised the importance of aligning policy ambition with robust risk management and programme assurance.
The presentation covered Scotland’s Net Zero targets, the challenges associated with older and occupied housing stock, the distinction between licensed and non-licensed asbestos work, and the importance of Duty to Manage responsibilities. UKATA also highlighted how failures in early-stage planning and information sharing can lead to delays, enforcement action, reputational damage and increased costs.
Speaking about the session, Kieran McGuire shared “It was fantastic to have Duncan come along to our sub-contractor forum event, as part of our ongoing strategic partnership with UKATA. Our discussion really focused on providing practical guidance around managing asbestos in domestic settings, which is very relevant to our supply chain and one of our biggest operational risks. Knowing we have expertise and support on board through UKATA gives us extra peace of mind and confidence on the topic of asbestos.”
The presentation complimented a separate session delivered by Liz Darlison, Chief Operating Officer of Mesothelioma UK, which focused on the human impact of asbestos-related disease and the ongoing health consequences associated with historic exposure.
Duncan McNicol concluded his session by stressing that successful retrofit programmes will depend on organisations embedding risk identification, communication, and compliance into project planning from the outset rather than responding reactively once issues emerge on site.
UKATA Operations Manager Sasha Brailsford said, “UKATA is proud to be working in partnership with Warmworks to help strengthen awareness and understanding of asbestos risks across Scotland’s retrofit sector. Events such as this provide an important opportunity to engage directly with industry leaders, share practical knowledge and support organisations in managing asbestos risks responsibly.”
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.
About Warmworks: Warmworks is dedicated to providing affordable warmth to homes across the country by managing and delivering projects that help people improve the energy efficiency of their homes. They act as a Managing Agent, overseeing the installation of heating, insulation and energy efficiency improvements, and focus on creating a positive impact in the communities they serve.
Published on Friday 29th May 2026