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The South West Procurement Alliance (SWPA) recently launched their brand new and one of a kind Retrofit & Decarbonisation (N9) Framework and Energy Efficiency & Renewable Technology DPS in the South West of England. SWPA’s conference was held at Exeter College’s Future Skills Centre on Tuesday, 11th March 2025 with the event running from 9am through to 3pm.

This full day event, packed with guest speakers, thought-provoking discussion, great feedback and much more, attracted over 120 attendees. These attendees consisted of SWPA’s valued Clients, Appointed Companies, colleagues and industry specialists. Not only was the conference focussed on launching the new framework and DPS, but also a celebration of the team’s Social Value goals and achievements, reaching the Constructing Excellence Framework Gold Standard, updates from the new Procurement Act 2023 and the team’s offering of a full roster of Added Value Services to the South West.

Whilst the Retrofit & Decarbonisation (N9) Appointed Companies received their official certificates at the conference, they’d also previously benefited from an online workshop held by SWPA, in order to aid them in using the frameworks and how they can further support their South West Clients. Both SWPA’s Clients and Appointed Companies benefitted from a packed and informative agenda.

The day kicked off with Penny Searson, SWPA’s Regional Manager introducing the South West Procurement Alliance and warmly welcoming the attendees. Richard Hughes, SWPA’s previous Regional Director introduced the newly launched Retrofit & Decarbonisation (N9) Framework, along with SWPA’s Efficiency & Renewable Technology DPS. Paul Dawson, LHCPG’s Group Technical Manager gave a detailed and useful technical overview of the newly launched framework and DPS as well. Richard Hughes was also keen to include the new wave of Government funding pledged to the South West, to further support SWPA’s public sector Clients in reaching their decarbonisation and retrofit goals.

The South West attendees also benefitted from ‘Achieving Net Zero’ presented by Andy Cameron-Smith, Sustainability Communications Specialist and ‘Considerations for Compliant EWI Outcomes’ presented by Andrew Champ, Executive Director at SWIGA, a Solid Wall Insulation Guarantee Agency. Along with Penny Searson providing updates on SWPA’s Community Benefit Fund and the positive impact this continues to have in the South West, Michael McLaughlin, LHCPG’s Group Social Value Manager, spoke of the key social value objectives and expectations within the new framework.

All attendees were also welcome to partake in a CPD Retrofit Training Session taken by Paul Dawson, which gave insightful information on retrofit and the attendees were then awarded a certificate on completion of the course, after a short test. SWPA were pleased to report that all attendees passed the test and were awarded with their certificates!

Green Accord, who SWPA have partnered with on a variety of marketing collateral over the years, presented on their national Sustainable Business Accreditation, along with the Green Skills Advisory Panel (GSAP) who also discussed regional green skills with the South West.

The SWPA team hosted a brilliant day packed with great discussion and informative presentations covering the key themes which continue to be the team’s focus: social value in the South West, upskilling in the green skills area and promoting their new framework which will support their valued Clients in their Net Zero goals and aid Appointed Companies in reaching their social value objectives, giving back to the South West local communities.

SWPA continued the networking and decarbonisation discussions after the conference by hosting a networking event at the Courtyard Hotel in Exeter. Hosted along with the Future Skills Exeter College, Building Greater Exeter and the Green Skills Advisory Panel where Clients and Appointed Companies joined the team for an enjoyable evening and a great end to the day.