Overview

This study visit to IKEA Greenwich offers a practical, behind the scenes look at how sustainability, social impact and operational delivery come together at scale. Designed to move beyond theory, the visit blends strategic insight with real-world application from social value and supply chain influence through to building performance and low-carbon operation. Attendees will hear directly from a range of expert speakers, each sharing how sustainability and social impact are being delivered in practice, not just in principle.

What you will learn from attending this study visit

• How sustainability and social value can be embedded into building design, delivery and operation at scale even under tight timescales and commercial pressure.

• How early design and specification decisions directly influence long-term asset performance, maintenance risk and whole-life cost.

• How sustainability objectives are translated into clear metrics, systems and day-to-day operational practice.

• How teams across development, asset management and operations can align to protect outcomes and apply these lessons directly within social housing new build and estate management.

Programme

10:00 – Arrival / Coffee / Networking

10:30 – Welcome from Jo Hills (DIN)

10:40 – Welcome from Fraser Calderwood Duncan (IKEA)

10:45 – Hiliary Jenkins, Sustainability Business Partner at IKEA UK (Ireland) focusing on social impact.

11:15 – Greg Lucas, Sustainability Manager for IKEA’s Greenwich store building focusing on sustainability.

12:00 – Lunch

12:30 – IKEA Greenwich tour

13:15 – Jo Mortensen, Associate Director for Bioregional focusing on keeping sustainability at the heart of fast-paced new build delivery and business operations

13:45 – Summary and Q&A

14:00 - Finish

Speakers

Our first speaker will be Hiliary Jenkins, Sustainability Business Partner at IKEA UK & Ireland, who leads IKEA’s social impact work, focusing on how the business partners with charities, communities and its supply chain to drive social value and support people in vulnerable situations.

Since joining IKEA in 2015, she has managed national partnerships with organisations including Shelter, Barnardo’s and the Refugee Council, and launched IKEA’s Skills & Employment for Refugees programme which is now embedded across IKEA markets globally. Hiliary brings a strong background in social change and is passionate about the role businesses can play in supporting the communities they serve.

Our second speaker is Greg is the Sustainability Manager for IKEA UK & Ireland, responsible for the adaptation and integration of our sustainability strategy. IKEA’s purpose and vision is to create a better life for the many people. We want to be a force for good for people, society and the planet. For us, it’s about balancing economic growth and positive social impact with environmental protection/climate action and regeneration. Check out our Re-shop & Re-use areas or online for some of our circular services. Greg has over 15 years’ experience in various sustainability roles with WRAP, The Co-operative Group, his own business working across Europe and Canada, and IKEA UK&IE.

Our third speaker is Jo Mortensen, Associate Director at Bioregional, who leads on sustainability strategy and innovative solutions for housing and development projects. Jo works with housing providers and developers, embedding sustainability into fast-paced delivery environments, to move beyond organisational compliance towards healthier, more sustainable outcomes.

Jo's work includes supporting housing providers in achieving cost-effective, data-driven retrofit solutions. Her research spans spatial planning for sustainable growth to heat pump readiness. Jo brings a pragmatic, delivery-focused perspective, helping organisations reduce carbon, manage cost and risk, and protect long-term asset performance while maintaining affordability and resilience.

Overview

This study visit to IKEA Greenwich offers a practical, behind the scenes look at how sustainability, social impact and operational delivery come together at scale. Designed to move beyond theory, the visit blends strategic insight with real-world application from social value and supply chain influence through to building performance and low-carbon operation. Attendees will hear directly from a range of expert speakers, each sharing how sustainability and social impact are being delivered in practice, not just in principle.

What you will learn from attending this study visit

• How sustainability and social value can be embedded into building design, delivery and operation at scale even under tight timescales and commercial pressure.

• How early design and specification decisions directly influence long-term asset performance, maintenance risk and whole-life cost.

• How sustainability objectives are translated into clear metrics, systems and day-to-day operational practice.

• How teams across development, asset management and operations can align to protect outcomes and apply these lessons directly within social housing new build and estate management.

Programme

10:00 – Arrival / Coffee / Networking

10:30 – Welcome from Jo Hills (DIN)

10:40 – Welcome from Fraser Calderwood Duncan (IKEA)

10:45 – Hiliary Jenkins, Sustainability Business Partner at IKEA UK (Ireland) focusing on social impact.

11:15 – Greg Lucas, Sustainability Manager for IKEA’s Greenwich store building focusing on sustainability.

12:00 – Lunch

12:30 – IKEA Greenwich tour

13:15 – Jo Mortensen, Associate Director for Bioregional focusing on keeping sustainability at the heart of fast-paced new build delivery and business operations

13:45 – Summary and Q&A

14:00 - Finish

Speakers

Our first speaker will be Hiliary Jenkins, Sustainability Business Partner at IKEA UK & Ireland, who leads IKEA’s social impact work, focusing on how the business partners with charities, communities and its supply chain to drive social value and support people in vulnerable situations.

Since joining IKEA in 2015, she has managed national partnerships with organisations including Shelter, Barnardo’s and the Refugee Council, and launched IKEA’s Skills & Employment for Refugees programme which is now embedded across IKEA markets globally. Hiliary brings a strong background in social change and is passionate about the role businesses can play in supporting the communities they serve.

Our second speaker is Greg is the Sustainability Manager for IKEA UK & Ireland, responsible for the adaptation and integration of our sustainability strategy. IKEA’s purpose and vision is to create a better life for the many people. We want to be a force for good for people, society and the planet. For us, it’s about balancing economic growth and positive social impact with environmental protection/climate action and regeneration. Check out our Re-shop & Re-use areas or online for some of our circular services. Greg has over 15 years’ experience in various sustainability roles with WRAP, The Co-operative Group, his own business working across Europe and Canada, and IKEA UK&IE.

Our third speaker is Jo Mortensen, Associate Director at Bioregional, who leads on sustainability strategy and innovative solutions for housing and development projects. Jo works with housing providers and developers, embedding sustainability into fast-paced delivery environments, to move beyond organisational compliance towards healthier, more sustainable outcomes.

Jo's work includes supporting housing providers in achieving cost-effective, data-driven retrofit solutions. Her research spans spatial planning for sustainable growth to heat pump readiness. Jo brings a pragmatic, delivery-focused perspective, helping organisations reduce carbon, manage cost and risk, and protect long-term asset performance while maintaining affordability and resilience.

Cost

Attendance is included as part of your DIN membership.