COEL and gunnercooke hosted a unique industry event on Wednesday 15th October 2025 bringing together 100 prominent individuals from the construction sector to discuss ways in which construction can be a force for good.
With Cambridge being heralded as a centre of innovation for life sciences, tech and bio-medical advancement, enhanced facilities need to be developed to support and encourage this growth. Construction is at the epicentre of Cambridge’s ability to build cutting-edge facilities and create opportunities in the local community that will allow the region to not only survive but also thrive. Social value, sustainability and environmental biodiversity, skills training, and employment gaps, are just some of the issues that are challenging the construction industry. So how can these challenges be turned into opportunities, and be a force for good?
The event was conceived by Lizzie Bradbury, Communication and Engagement Manager from COEL and Sophie Thornley, Construction Law Partner at gunnercooke who also both chaired the event. Sophie and Lizzie both felt inspired to host an event which showcased some very positive approaches being invested and actioned on Cambridge sites and in development plans.
All ticket sales from the event were split between LandAid supporting FutureIn, The Phoenix Trust, Cambridge Science Centre and Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust.
Ed Watson – Managing Director at Cambridge BioMedical Campus
Ed is the interim Managing Director of Cambridge Biomedical Campus Ltd which represents some of the major businesses located on the campus including Astra Zenica, the University of Cambridge, Abcam (Danaher), the MRC Lab of Molecular Biology, Cambridge University Hospital Trust and the Royal Papworth Hospital. Ed’s career was initially in Local Government in London where he was Corporate Director of Planning and Regeneration. At Camden Ed led on the negotiations to secure the arrival of the Francis Crick Institute and worked with Argent to develop their scheme at Kings Cross. On the panel Ed spoke about how, as the biggest Biomedical Campus in Europe, they construct an environment where both patients and workforce can thrive.
Becky Ridgewell, Projects Manager at Babraham Research Campus
Becky Ridgewell joined Babraham Research Campus in 2022 and in her role as Project Manager lead on the Capital Programme while also studying for a degree in Construction Management. Becky is also on the Cambridge Forum for the Construction Industry (CFCI) NextGen Committee. On the panel, Becky spoke about how Babraham take a sensitive and considered approach to any construction works, in order to develop in unison with the environment and their neighbours.
Jane Hutchins, Director, Cambridge Science Park
Jane plays a key role advocating for thriving community of businesses on the Science Park, which is at the heart of one of the best-known and economically successful science, technology and innovation ecosystems in the world – Cambridge. jane is also a director of the UK Science Park Association; chair of Anglia Ruskin University’s business advisory board; and past chair of the Cambridge Forum for Place. On the panel, Jane spoke about how Cambridge Science Park working together to address the skills gap with a mission to attract children and young people from deprived areas.
Dr Tammy Dougan, Life Sciences and Healthcare Partnerships Lead at University of Cambridge
Dr Tammy Dougan has worked for over 25 years in research, strategy and partnerships in the area of Healthcare, Life science and Biotech. She specialises in large scale strategic bids and partnerships between academia, Industry and the NHS for the University of Cambridge, where she has worked since 2016. On the panel, Tammy explained what it is about Cambridge Biomedical Campus and Cambridge itself that attracts world-leading organisations and why we need to continue to develop.
Hannah Patrick – Community Partnerships Manager at The Crown Estate
Hannah joined The Crown Estate in 2021 and brings together Social Enterprise and Commercial worlds through social sustainability. With over 20 years experience in VCSE, education, development and construction, her focus is creating local opportunity through partnerships, with a National lens. On the panel, Hannah spoke about supporting social and community ventures which has been realised in the provision of space and employment opportunities for charities at Cambridge Business Park.
Plus contributions from our side panel:
There was an additional side panel with representation of allied partners who help to activate some of the initiatives and investment in social value. The side panel consisted of Barney Cox from The Phoenix Trust in Milton, a charity working with people with complex needs and learning disabilities, which is working with many organisations throughout the city in delivering recycled, handcrafted products as part of their development plans. Michael Samways, Sustainability Lead at TSA Riley who advises organisations on delivering sustainable energy projects and environmental impact.
Andrew Farrer, Director of Programmes and Impact at Cambridge Science Centre which has been delivering outreach programmes and is currently in the process of delivering a built environment programme to let young people know about the world of construction. The event ended with a short talk from Maddie Buxton from FutureIn Apprenticeships which look to provide work placements and apprenticeships in the construction sector for young people who are homeless or who are at risk of being homeless.
