GBCC Sustainable Business Series – Building the Future: Green Infrastructure Solutions

The Event

Join the Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce (GBCC) for this event dedicated to the exploration and advancement of green infrastructure solutions. “Building the Future” will bring together experts and stakeholders to delve into the transformative potential of green infrastructure in creating resilient, sustainable, and vibrant communities.

At “Building the Future,” attendees will have the opportunity to gain insights into innovative approaches to green infrastructure planning and implementation. This event will showcase a diverse array of projects and initiatives aimed at enhancing environmental quality, promoting public health, and mitigating the impacts of climate change.

Delegates should attend this event to:

• Hear about successful examples of green space design and management that prioritise sustainability, accessibility, and community engagement.
• Discuss the benefits of sustainable transportation options for reducing carbon emissions, alleviating traffic congestion, and promoting active and healthy lifestyles.
• Discuss the benefits of green building practices for improving energy efficiency, reducing resource consumption, and enhancing occupant health and well-being.

This event is part of the 2024/25 Sustainable Business Series campaign. The Sustainable Business Series is the Chamber’s flagship campaign on environmental sustainability, supporting businesses in their transition to Net Zero, through the sharing of best practice, guidance and insight on a range of issues associated with achieving Net Zero. 

Speakers

Deborah Bunce, Head of Sustainable Construction, University College Birmingham

Deborah Bunce is the Head of Department for Sustainable Construction at University College Birmingham responsible for managing courses from Level 1 trade though to Level 7 MSc in Construction Project Management. She has a master’s in civil engineering and has been Chartered with the Institution of Civil Engineers since 1991. For over 20 years she has worked in industry for both contactors and consultants specialising in environmental design with notable projects including the reclamation of Pride Park Derby and remediation of the land for Reading football club. She also spent several years working with the EU providing institutional strengthening support to Eastern European countries including Belarus, Poland, Estonia, Czech and Slovak Republics. Prior to this she worked in a design department working on railways, roads, bridges in steel, concrete and glass reinforced plastics.

Since 2010 Deborah has been teaching initially in the maths department but latterly leading Built Environment teams focussed on developing students to join ICE, CIOB, CIAT, RICS and CIBSE. At University College Birmingham she is leading a sustainable construction department in a recently retrofitted former print works.  She is used to leading teams of diverse engineers, specialists and craftspeople to develop courses for students at all levels. She is keen to increase accessibility to a wider range of students to enable them to achieve productive careers in all aspects of construction. In addition she is passionate about sustainability and how we need to adapt traditional construction to reduce our environmental impact.

As part of ICE she is actively involved in the Joint Board of Moderators who moderate higher and further education courses for the Engineering Council. She also sits on the Infrastructure Leadership Board at the Centre for the New Midlands, working towards shaping a sustainable robust future for all aspects of infrastructure in the region. This group works towards reducing the carbon footprint of infrastructure to meet the needs of the world in a changing climate.

Joanna Seabright, Customer Experience, Marketing and Communications Director, M6 Toll

Jo is Customer, Marketing and Comms Director at the M6toll, a crucial part of the country’s strategic road network, providing significant benefits to the West Midlands and the UK. By diverting 18 million vehicles off the M6 and local A roads annually, M6toll helps free up capacity for local traffic and supporting improvements in air quality along the congested M6 corridor.

Jo is responsible for the end-to-end customer experience at the M6toll, attracting and retaining customers and promoting the many benefits of the M6toll.  She has over 15 years’ experience in senior marketing roles in the travel industry. Jo holds an MBA from Aston Business School and is Chartered Institute of Marketing qualified.

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