EVENTS
Wales and Northern Ireland Conferences
Bringing together sector experts and leaders, IHEEM’s Wales Regional Conference, Exhibition and Gala Awards Dinner, and Northern Ireland Conference, will offer delegates the opportunity to learn from a range of experts about the challenges facing healthcare estates, as well as celebrate innovation and success at two star-studded awards dinners. Here, Health Estate Journal picks some upcoming conference highlights.
Wales Regional Conference, Exhibition and Awards Dinner 2026 The annual Wales Regional Conference, Exhibition and Gala Awards Dinner will take place on 6/7 May 2026 in partnership with NHS Wales, Shared Services Partnership, and Specialist Estate Services. The Conference and Exhibition are being held at the International Conference Centre at (ICC) Coldra Woods, Newport, South Wales, while The Gala Awards Dinner is being held in the Augusta Suite at the Celtic Manor Golf Club. This event will focus on strengthening healthcare estates to meet evolving challenges through improved planning, innovation, and workforce development. Through targeted discussions and shared insights, the event aims to help estates become more adaptive, secure, and equipped to ensure continuity of care in uncertain times.
Key programme themes n Resilience and contingency – strengthening systems to respond to disruption and emerging risks.
n Resilient workforce – developing capable, adaptable teams to support sustainable estates operations.
n Estates manager toolbox – practical tools and insights to address daily and long-term estate challenges.
n PFI: returning assets to the NHS – understanding the transition process and its operational implications.
General shot of the ICC
n Dragons’ Den – innovation delivery – showcasing innovative solutions and new approaches within the commercial sector.
Conference highlights Wednesday 6 May
9.00-9.15 Welcome from Pete Sellars, IHEEM CEO.
9.15-9.35 Keynote: A view from the bridge. Jacqueline Totterdell, director general for Health and Social Services and NHS Wales chief executive.
11.15-11.45
Journey from student through to employment via placement. Des Keighan, assistant director of commercial and contract management; Sam Burnett, estates officer SB HB and Swansea University.
11.45-12.15
Career development routes: assistant to manager. John Prendergast, principal decontamination engineer, NHS Wales SSP SES, chair of IHEEM Wales Branch; Mark Furmage, independent authorising engineer decontamination; Ross Andrews, Wye Valley NHS Trust.
12.15-12.45 Talent stacking. Gary Cooper, managing director PPL Training; Martin Worth, technical director of PIM (Plant Integrity Management).
14.30-15.15 Investigating incidents – how to guide. Martyn Jeffery, consultant; Eugene Conway, Zendeavour.
15.15-15.45 POW infrastructure – failure to success. Jason Williams, assistant head of operational estates CTM UHB.
15.45-16.15 Prince Charles hospital development – lesson learnt. Jeremy Holifield, responsible officer, PCH; Cyril Glennon, project director, Tilbury Douglas; Kelly Edwards, social value manager, Tilbury Douglas.
16.15-16.45 Providing essential resilience alongside good design: enhancing Mental Health LD Unit design. Jessica Ellis, senior associate architect, Stride Treglown; Michelle Blackie, head of strategic marketing, Pineapple Contracts.
16.45-16.55 Closing address. John Prendergast, principal
28 Health Estate Journal April 2026
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