retrofit conference

Retrofit done right

The National Retrofit Conference 2026, takes place from 12-14 May at Excel London. It is the UK’s leading event dedicated to the retrofit challenge, co-located at Futurebuild 2026.

Curated by The Retrofit Academy CIC, this essential gathering brings together key players from local authorities, housing associations, contractors, and the wider built environment to explore the policies, innovations, and practical solutions driving large-scale decarbonisation of UK buildings. With an expanded conference programme and a dynamic exhibition of cutting-edge products, the event provides a focused space to connect, learn, and take action on delivering net-zero through retrofit.

Co-locating with Futurebuild means that retrofit is placed at the heart of the net-zero conversation, enabling cross-sector collaboration and industry-wide impact.

Whether you’re shaping policy, delivering projects, or developing solutions, the National Retrofit Conference & Expo 2026 is your gateway to the people, insights, and tools transforming the future of the built environment.

retrofit conference steering group

Connecting retrofit solutions with buyers

Decision-makers you'll connect with:

Specification lead | Director of engineering & sustainability | Managing directors | Procurement managers | Development directors | Group sustainability directors | Commercial directors | Project directors | Senior architects | Head of innovation | Principal engineers | Managing partners | Technical directors | Managing partners | Technical directors | Head of net zero delivery & Environmental strategy managers.

74% of buyers attending the National Retrofit Conference are actively seeking practical, scalable solutions to support their retrofit programmes.

The most in-demand products and services include; low carbon heating, heat pumps, insulation (IWI and EWI), ventilation systems, energy-efficient windows and doors, flooring, lighting, solar technologies, and a wide range of green tech and proptech solutions.

Through our curated exhibitor line-up and All-in stand packages, we help connect these solution providers with key decision-makers from local authorities, housing associations, and contractors ready to specify and buy.

Our audience want to see your retrofit solutions

Including: Low carbon heat | Solars | Insulation Products (IWI & EWI) | Ventilations | Windows | Doors | Building fabricks | Heat pumps | Floors | Lighting | Green tech and prop techs | Service providers and Assessment | planning & building services.

Connecting the retrofit community

The National Retrofit Conference attracts a high-value audience of retrofit professionals focused on delivering net-zero across UK housing. In 2025, over 2,300 retrofit professionals attended, including senior teams from local authorities, housing associations, and social housing providers looking for proven solutions to scale retrofit delivery.

Also attending are architects, contractors, engineers, and training providers, all engaged in retrofit strategy and implementation. Co-located with Futurebuild, the event gives exhibitors access to a wider built environment audience of 9,000+ built environment professionals, 67% of whom have purchasing power.

DOWNLOAD the National Retrofit conference 2026 BROCHURE

Explore how you can be part of the UK’s leading event dedicated to scaling retrofit solutions co-located at Futurebuild 2026. The brochure includes essential information about the event, audience insights and exhibiting opportunities, giving you a clear picture of how you can connect with the professionals driving retrofit at scale.

Start your journey to meaningful connections and measurable impact.

 

retro

The Big Retrofit Challenge is back for 2026

Futurebuild, in partnership with the National Home Decarbonisation Group (NHDG) and Innovate UK, is proud to launch the second Big Retrofit Challenge, driving innovation to accelerate the decarbonisation of homes and buildings across the UK.

We’re looking for innovators developing new products, services, or digital/AI solutions that can:

  • Advance retrofit delivery and performance
  • Improve occupant health
  • Support the UK’s journey to net zero

Shortlisted finalists will:

  • Pitch live at the National Retrofit Conference 2026 (part of Futurebuild, 12–14 May at Excel London)
  • Connect directly with NHDG members and industry leaders
  • Gain national visibility and collaboration opportunities

right connections

Hear from our community on how Futurebuild is making a positive impact.

 

Nothing can replicate meeting people and striking up relationships. You can’t grow as a business in the right way unless you are properly connected with your audience and that is what Futurebuild does and that’s why it’s the right place for us.
Martin Fahey
Head of Sustainability |  Mitsubishi

We decided to sponsor and exhibit this year which gave us the opportunity to meet a wide range of different people within different roles in the construction industry. We had a rich conversation with lots of people including architects, designers, specifiers and end clients abut the things that are important to your business.

Richard Halderthay
Brand and Digital Communications Director |  Saint Gobain

What makes Futurebuild unique is the targeted audience. If you’re speaking to someone here, you’re speaking to a B2B audience, to a buyer which generally means our conversations are better and more targeted.

Thom Standen
Head of Marketing |  Cibes UK

What a fantastic Futurebuild event this year. Brilliant to see the National Home Decarbonisation Group (NHDG) Hub full of our members supporting retrofit at scale and more importantly supporting innovation through the 'Big retrofit challenge.

Derek Horrocks
Chairperson |  Sustainable Building Systems

Walking into Futurebuild, there’s a familiar energy - one that’s all about innovation, collaboration, and driving real change in retrofit. Proud to be here once again with The Retrofit Academy, for the fourth consecutive year on the trot, championing skills, standards, and solutions for a net-zero future.

Emily Moody
Digital Marketing Manager & Creative Dynamo |  The Retrofit Academy

It's an absolutely fabulous event. Futurebuild is now our number one go-to exhibition of the whole year.

Derek Horrocks
Chairperson |  Sustainable Building Systems

You discover that there's a wealth of information and good practice at Futurebuild that people can latch on.

Baroness Barbara
Young of Old Scone |  House of Lords

Futurebuild is actively searching out young innovative companies and innovators and bringing them all into one space.

Dr Olli Jones
Head of Sustainability |  Cundall
ENQUIRE TO EXHIBIT

 

Speak to a member of the team
to enquire about exhibiting at Futurebuild 2025.

Why Exhibt

Explore why exhibiting at Futurebuild 2026 can put your brand at the forefront of the built environment community.

Retrofit sessions

Missed a session or want to revisit a key discussion? Now you can catch up anytime, for free, with our on-demand recordings.