Last Thursday 23rd, 40 senior representatives of construction companies, the insurance industry, developers, architects, academics and policy-makers gathered at the Residence of the Ambassador for Sweden to the UK in London’s Portland Place for a discussion event hosted by Swedish Wood in co-operation with Timber Development UK and the Structural Timber Association. The purpose of the event was to encourage an exchange of views on how targets for increased home-building could be achieved, while helping – rather than hindering – plans to meet the UK’s zero carbon ambitions. The event was hosted by the Ambassador, Stefan Gullgren and the Director of Swedish Wood, Anna Ryberg Ågren. Chaired by Paul Brannen, head of public affairs at CEI-Bois, the event’s guests included Baroness Hayman of Ullock, Shadow Spokesperson for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Lord Khan of Burnley, Shadow Spokesperson for Levelling up, Housing and Communities, and Tom Copley, Deputy Mayor of London for Housing and Residential Development. The panel of experts included Professor Jose Torero, Head of Civil, Environmental and Geomatic Engineering Dept, UCL; Dr Julie Bregulla, Chief Technical Officer, BBA; David Hopkins, Chief Executive, TDUK; Susanne Rudenstam, Director of Construction, Swedish Wood; and John Smith, Technical Director, Donaldson’s Timber Systems, representing the STA. Anna Ryberg Ågren welcomed the increasingly close ties between Sweden and the UK, as demonstrated by the strategic partnership agreement signed in 2023 by prime ministers Rishi Sunak and Ulf Kristersson, which not only addressed joint security issues but aimed at deepening co-operation between the two countries on innovation, research, trade and investment. Anna said: “I am absolutely convinced that the partnership the UK and Sweden have developed over the years is the perfect foundation for leading the way towards a net zero future.”