Keynote

Presenting the Bank of England’s most recent forecast for the UK economy. This will detail forecasts for growth, labour supply and the outlook for UK inflation. This will set the context for a discussion of implications for Bank Rate. The discussion will touch on a wide range of topical factors from consumer and business confidence, to the implications of tariffs for the UK.

Keynote

Insights into the key trends that are affecting the glazing market in the UK. Drawn from the comprehensive market research reports from Barbour ABI, the talk will cover market forecasts, the impact of regulation changes, energy efficiency and specification trends in glazing. Like many parts of the built environment, the glazing sector has felt the pressures stemming from an uncertain economic and policy landscape. We explore the direction of travel in 2026 and beyond, providing insight that we hope will support organisations in this sector with their marketing strategies.

Keynote

The glazing sector has spent two decades raising standards across products, marking, certification and installer competence, and that progress is real. What has changed this year is the unit of regulation itself. The Construction Products Reform White Paper, the proposed general safety requirement, and the move toward a single regulator over products, buildings and people signal a shift from regulating components in isolation to assuring the whole system. In that world the risk no longer sits inside the product or the person. It sits in the handover between them, where a manufacturer's declaration becomes the first instruction an installer ever receives. This session brings the product regulator and the competence side of the industry onto one platform to make a single argument, that safety is now a property of the chain rather than any one link, and that the sector's task is to keep that chain of trust unbroken from the factory to the fitted frame.

Breakout

Does the UK fenestration industry have a workforce fit for the next 10 years? This session will explore whether the sector is set up for the challenges of the future. Panellists will explore the shifting balance between competence and experience in the post-Grenfell landscape, questioning whether traditional reliance on on-the-job learning is still sufficient in an era of stricter compliance and accountability. The discussion will also address a pressing challenge: is the sector doing enough to attract new talent, or are skills shortages set to deepen?

As labour constraints persist, the conversation will turn to the growing role of technology. Can automation, digital transformation, and emerging AI solutions realistically bridge the gap, or are they being overestimated as a cure-all? Alongside this, the panel will consider whether the industry is facing a leadership succession challenge, with experienced professionals approaching retirement and uncertainty over whether the next generation is ready to step up.

Breakout

Regulation in glass, glazing and fenestration is evolving fast, bringing tighter compliance, new standards, and more complex performance requirements. From updates to Building Regulations and with the imminent Future Homes Standard to the shift towards whole-building performance and the upcoming Home Energy Model (HEM), doing the job right has never been more important and demanding.

This Technical Clinic brings together a panel of industry experts from across the glazing supply chain with the common goal of ensuring that companies in our industry, raise the bar and do the job right. Our panel will map out what’s changing and what it means in practice. Come armed with questions for our experts and gain clear, practical insight into how to meet new requirements and deliver compliant, future-ready fenestration.

Breakout

As the glazing sector evolves, so too must the strategies that drive demand. This panel brings together voices from across the entire supply chain to explore how marketing and lead generation are being reshaped in a digital-first landscape.

From data-driven campaigns and AI-powered customer insights to evolving homeowner expectations and the role of brand at every stage, the session will unpack how each link in the chain can collaborate more effectively to generate and convert high-quality leads. Panellists will share real-world perspectives on what’s working now and where future opportunities lie.

Attendees will gain a holistic understanding of how joined-up marketing strategies can strengthen the entire ecosystem, not just at the point of installation, but from product development and specification through to end-user engagement and aftercare.

Breakout

This panel session will explore how innovation in materials, automation, smart systems and data-driven design is influencing the next generation of windows, doors, and facades. Industry leaders will discuss emerging trends, while attendees will gain insight into the challenges and opportunities ahead, and how businesses can future-proof their product strategies in an increasingly competitive marketplace.

Keynote

Let’s face it, everyone is talking about AI. There are the sceptics and the fans, but who’s right? And where’s it all going? With all the buzz, it’s often difficult to distinguish hype from genuine usefulness. At this year’s Glazing Summit, Elton Boocock will do a recap of where we are now, what you need to know, now, and where it’s all heading. You will leave with a clear understanding that cuts through the hype, and practical steps you can take regardless of where you are currently when it comes to using AI.

Panel

The UK fenestration supply chain is facing unprecedented pressure. From rising material costs and global instability to tightening regulations, compliance demands and increasing competition from low cost imports. System houses are being forced to adapt faster than ever before.

In this exclusive leadership debate, senior figures from across aluminium, UPVC and timber system houses will discuss the biggest challenges shaping the industry today and what businesses throughout the supply chain need to do to stay competitive, compliant and profitable.

Keynote

As the housing sector faces increasing pressure to deliver high-quality, sustainable homes at scale, collaboration across the supply chain has never been more critical. This session will set out a clear vision for the future of the fenestration industry. Drawing on real-world challenges and evolving customer expectations, it will outline what housebuilders need from their supply partners - from improved product performance and compliance with tightening regulations, to greater standardisation, reliability, and innovation in manufacturing and installation. Attendees will gain first-hand insight into priorities such as energy efficiency, sustainability credentials, supply chain resilience, and the role of digitalisation in driving efficiency.