CIOB - https://www.nawic.co.uk/events

Summary

Discover why heritage construction isn’t a niche craft, but a core part of everyday building work.

Please note: this event is for over 18’s only.

This webinar explores why heritage construction is not a specialist niche but an essential part of mainstream UK building practice. With over six million traditional pre-1919 buildings across the country, understanding how to maintain and retrofit these structures correctly is vital for quality, sustainability, and profitability.

The session will demonstrate how heritage competence offers contractors a clear business advantage — enabling access to new markets, higher-value projects, and stronger reputations for quality and craftsmanship. It will outline a practical route map for contractors to enter the heritage sector, upskill teams, and align their work with national Net Zero and retrofit objectives.

To bring this to life, Mike Dennis will present an inspiring case study in the second part of the webinar. Trained as a carpenter specialising in timber framing, Mike expanded his expertise through NVQ Level 3 qualifications in Stonemasonry and Heritage Plastering at the Tywi Centre. His commitment to traditional skills led to an extraordinary opportunity — working on the reconstruction of Notre Dame de Paris after the devastating 2019 fire. Once thought impossible to rebuild, the medieval roof structure was revived through rediscovered craft knowledge. Mike’s story highlights not only the career potential and global relevance of heritage skills, but also the lessons for the future of sustainable timber construction.

The webinar concludes with details of training and development opportunities through the Tywi Centre, which supports contractors, craftspeople, and SMEs across the UK in developing heritage and retrofit expertise.