PHOTO : MAX COLSON

The Barbican Conservatory

venue has electric charging points .

I asked BMA House and the Barbican about some of these very same requirements .

In terms of location , although BMA House is accessible via public transport , it encourages attendees to walk or cycle to the venue . “ We have created a ‘ clean air ’ walking route from Kings Cross . It takes delegates off the busy , polluted Euston Road , and takes them along the back streets of Bloomsbury . This is not only a more scenic walking route , but it has 57 % less polluted air ,” explains Hurley .

About 40 % of BMA House staff also cycle to work , she tells me . “ We have showers onsite which we promote to delegates , should they wish to cycle to us , and then freshen up ,” reveals Hurley .

“ We see it as our goal to breakdown the presumption that Grade II listed buildings cannot be

sustainable . Our team lives , eats and breathes sustainability – it has made us and our venue healthier and a better place to be ,” adds Hurley .

Moving onto energy , the Barbican operate on 100 % renewable electricity . “ Our electricity , district heating , cooling and gas are major sources of our Scope 1 and 2 emissions . Our current and urgent focus until 2027 is to ensure we reach net zero on both emissions by our target date ,” he says .

“ For example , we have just completed a project to deliver over £ 3m of investment to upgrade our heating , lighting and ventilation . We are installing LED lighting and replacing fans with smaller , more efficient ones to use less energy ,” Dobson explains .

This is particularly important now more than ever , because of the energy crisis . “ Events still need

Charlotte Horter

Lee Dobson

to happen , but it ’ s a case of thinking a little bit more smartly about what needs to be switched on , when it needs to be switched on , and how quickly it can be switched off ,” he adds .

Finding common ground

Considering these factors , how exactly do venues like BMA House and the Barbican keep up with these sustainable expectations ?

“ I feel for venues because I think the expectations are now very high ,” says Knill .

“ When helping clients plan their events , it ’ s vital to choose the right venue . Your venue is one of the only aspects that is visible to everybody that attends that event . Anyone can go on that venue ’ s website and read up about what that venue stands for ,” she says .

This is the case for events like Anthropy , a new senior leadership summit focused on the future