Annual AUE Conference – 9th – 10th September 2026
This year’s AUE Conference took place at the Leeds University, between 9th – 10th September. The theme was Engineering the Future of University Estates.
This year’s Conference had a slightly different feel. With no social excursions and the event was streamlined into a busy two days to create a more focused programme. Additional time was built in, enabling delegates to connect with conference exhibitors and emphasis was placed on the conversations, ideas, and collaborations that continue long after the conference ends. Attendees including delegates, retirees and spouses totalled 105.
Our accommodation was in the Charles Morris Halls of residence, which were nestled in beautiful grounds with an abundance of wildlife: a heron, Koi Carp and rabbits, who seemed to increase in number every day!
YourVision Events and university staff were on hand to ensure the conference ran smoothly.
There was local parking for those driving and a shuttle service from the nearby Leeds train station.
Plenary Sessions / Workshops
There were 4 Plenary Sessions, hosted by Angela Lamont. Topics ranged from AI in Action: Delivering Smarter, More Efficient Estates and The Engineer and the Unintended Consequence (How Engineering Decisions Impact on Accessibility and Inclusion).
There was also a choice of 9 Workshops to attend across both days. Subjects included Electrical Duty holders: What Every University Engineer Must Know – Because Ignorance is No Defence and AI for Estates: Closing the Campus Performance Gap Using Integrated Estate Data.
Further details of the Plenary Sessions and Workshops are available BELOW.
Trade Exhibition
Each year the success of the AUE Conference is not only reliant on our AUE Members attending, but also the support of our Exhibitors and Sponsors. Our Main Sponsors were Thorn and Zumbotel Lighting and Normec Crowthorne and the AUE would like to offer its immense gratitude to them for their support and generosity.
This year, Ann Allen, Director of Campus Innovation and Development, University of Leeds and Billy Ferguson, National AUE Chair officially opened the Trade Exhibition in Sports Hall 1, The Edge. This taking place alongside a wonderful lunch and refreshments which LiftX Consult (formerly Cook & Associates) kindly sponsored on both days.
Details of all 45 sponsors / exhibitors are available HERE.
Day 1: 9th September
Delegates commenced proceedings on the 9th September being welcomed to the AUE Conference and subsequently Leeds University, in Auditorium 2, by Yannis Daoutis, Compliance Manager, University of Leeds and Professor Hai Sui Yu, Provost and Deputy Vice-Chancellor, University of Leeds. Our welcome was immediately followed by Plenary Session 1: Reaching for the Stars, given by Dame Dr Maggie Aderin, British Award-winning Space Scientist and Educator, Broadcaster and Author. The audience were truly starstruck! The Trade Exhibition then officially opened (see above) before delegates moved on to the first of a number of informative Workshops and Plenary Sessions.
The first day closed with some fun and games at the informal Welcome Drinks and Dinner: held in Sports Hall 1 and Sports Hall 2, The Edge.
Day 2: 10th September
Day Two, Thursday, commenced with a wonderful breakfast, followed by a range of interesting Workshops, Plenary Sessions and further opportunities to network with colleagues and exhibitors.
On Thursday evening, delegates dressed up to attend the formal Gala Drinks Reception and Gala Dinner which took place in the University Refectory. Our Gala Dinner Speaker, Jamie Jones-Buchanan, gave an inspirational speech about his time playing for the Leeds Rhinos from 1999 – 2019, his role as Chief Executive of the Leeds Rhinos and his relationship as both a player and friend with legendary teammates, Kevin Sinfield and Rob Burrows. Thanks is given to Wilson Power Solutions who sponsored our Gala Dinner wine.
2026 Conference Charity
Jamie also spoke about the amazing work of Kevin and Rob to support the MND community and their work which culminated in the opening of the Rob Burrow Centre for Motor Neurone Disease in November, 2025. The proceeds from this year’s Gala Dinner “Heads or Tails” raised £1,268 for this worthwhile cause.
2026 Annual Awards
Three awards were presented during the Gala Dinner – the Harland Roberts Award best apprentice/trainee/improver was presented to David Larbie, Imperial College London.
In addition, Beyza Dilber, Oxford University was awarded a discretionary Harland Roberts runner up prize (the first time ever!) in recognition of her outstanding application.
The John Hallett Award was presented to Billy Ferguson for his work as national conference host, Scottish AUE chair, then, National Vice and subsequently National Chair. His dedication is second to none.
The Tom Bradley Award for best Delegate Paper was presented to Phil Atkinson, Sheffield University and North East Regional Chair.
Many congratulations to all.
Annual General Meeting (AGM)
The AGM held on the final day enables all full members to come together and contribute to the future of the AUE. Participation in the AGM is not only your right but essential to the growth of the AUE, ensuring we represent the diverse views and interests of our entire membership.
Following Billy Ferguson’s handing over of the National AUE Chair regalia to Sam Heppell at the Gala Dinner and which caused much merriment due to a chain malfunction(!), Sam was officially elected as the AUE National Chair at the AGM held on the 10th September.
A number of new Regional Chairs were welcomed: Jason Devlin – East Midlands Chair, Louise Stringfellow – Wales Chair and Vittorio Frosini – London & South East Chair. Dean Aitken was also welcomed as the new Treasurer, and with this in mind special thanks was given to Paul Richards, for his outstanding contribution and support of the AUE in an array of roles and latterly as AUE Treasurer. Sadly Paul was not in attendance to thank him personally.
Networking – Supporting Each Other
The whole conference is an excellent opportunity for delegates and exhibitors to network face-to-face. It is also where you will get to meet in person the people that you have seen on Teams or that you correspond with via JISCMail and following its launch in August 2026 AUE LinkedIn.
There is always someone to help with a problem you may have, or better still, you can help another member with an issue they have.
The AUE would like to give a BIG THANKYOU
We must also give a huge “thank you” to Sam Heppell and Phil Atkinson, the Conference Sub-Group and YourVision Events for organising such an invigorating conference.
As always, we are also indebted to our Sponsors and Exhibitors, without whom the conference could not take place. The AUE would especially like to extend a bit thanks to:
- Main Sponsors: Thorn and Zumbotel Lighting AND Normec Crowthorne
- Daytime Refreshments: LiftX Consult
- Gala Dinner Wine: Wilson Power Solutions
Please click HERE for all sponsor/exhibitor contact details/profiles.
FINALLY... The 2027 AUE Conference
Closing the 2026 Annual AUE Conference, Howyn Roberts, Regional Chair - North West Region, announced that the 2027 Annual AUE Conference, will be held Manchester Metropolitan University, 8th – 9th September 2027
