CPD Essentials

Webinar - A retrofit solution to building sustainably
2026-01-08 08:00 - 17:00 UTC
Sustainable design is no longer a catchphrase, it’s an imperative. The need and urgency to update the existing building stock has never been greater and upgrading windows is one of the most challenging aspects of retrofit projects.
In this CPD, we help you to navigate through all the aspects of secondary glazing specification. You’ll learn how to determine what’s right for your or your client’s needs, what design considerations to bear in mind and lots more.We talk about typical applications and case studies and look at how to maximise product performance such as U-values, acoustic insulation and security. We also cover all the important regulatory aspects and design considerations, with particular emphasis on Heritage and Listed Buildings.
Contents:

How secondary glazing can help meet net zero and other sustainability commitments
Thermal insulation and upgrades to Part L (including U-values)
Control of noise with acoustic insulation (including dB ratings)
Window security (including blast, intruder, ballistic and fire)
Applications (including Listed and heritage buildings)
Standards and regulations
Specification process (including the range of products)
Maintenance
Economics

Webicard webinar programme 2026
2026-01-08 08:00 - 2027-01-08 17:00
After 5 successful years of running online events, CPD essentials is continuing to run a webinar programme for 2026 with 30 live webinars.
The cost of the Webicard which provides access to the 45 – 60 min long webinars (including the recordings) for the season is £180.00 plus VAT.
Individual attendance or a webinar recordings are £15.00 plus VAT). Each webinar is around 45 minutes, with time for questions at the end. Each webinar will be either on a Wednesday or a Thursday evening at 5pm.
If you sign up part way through the year up you’ll be sent the links to all the previous recordings, including handouts/information from the speaker if provided.
The events for 2026 are as follows:

21-Jan
Metal Roof Refurbishment
Sam de Rozarieux HD Sharman
3-4pm

28-Jan
Natural fibre insulation
Gavin Moore, Sisal Wool
1-2pm

04-Feb

11-Feb
Steel for roofing and wall cladding
Elen Worthington, Tata Steel
5-6pm

26-Feb
Commercial Leases Update
Richard Snape
5-6pm

04-Mar
Nordic Copper
Richard Parrett
1-2pm

11-Mar
TBA

18-Mar
TBA

25-Mar
Valuation and red book p1
Nick French
5-6pm

15-Apr
Boundary issues
Ian Quayle
2-3pm

22-Apr

29-Apr
RIBA 2030 climate change challenge, how steel contributes
Elen Worthington, Tata Steel
5-6pm

06-May
Valuation and red book p2
Nick French
5-6pm

14-May
Rent review – lessons from recent case law
Ian Quayle
5-6pm

20-May
Valuation and red book p3
Nick French
5-6pm

27-May
TBA

03-Jun
Landlord and Tenant Act1954: When it Applies.
Richard Snape
5-6pm

10-Jun
High St Rental auctions
Ian Quayle
1-2pm

17-Jun
Valuation and red book p4
Nick French
5-6pm

The Autumn programme will be announced shortly
You can purchase your Webicard below.
Information and bookings on the individual events can be found on the event pages.
The link for the webinar will be sent to you at least 2 days before the live event starts and the recording will follow shortly after.

Cleaning building masonry
2026-01-21 15:00 - 16:00
Speaker – Tim Crowe – Stonehealth

Webinar - Natural fibre insulation
2026-01-28 16:00 - 17:00
The founder of Sisalwool, was in East Africa training alongside local farmers on how to cope with the effects of climate change. While in Tanzania, he discovered farmers had fields of a plant called Sisal. Pushed out by the dominant plastic industry, farmers had no way of processing or exporting the plant and its fibres.

On further investigation and lots of questions about exporting, uses, plastic free options and the thermal properties it was decided that it would make a great insulation product. Due to its tough nature it was blended with wool to find the perfect solution. The final result is one of the market’s lowest carbon, highest quality sustainable thermal insultation products. The original blend was all virgin fibres, Zero Waste Scotland funded research for Sisalwool to produce the same product using fully recycled material.
Gavin Moore will explain the benefits in details

Webinar - Selectaglaze, a retrofit guide to building sustainability
2026-02-04 13:00 - 14:00
Sustainable design is no longer a catchphrase, it’s an imperative. The need and urgency to update the existing building stock has never been greater and upgrading windows is one of the most challenging aspects of retrofit projects.
In this CPD, we help you to navigate through all the aspects of secondary glazing specification. You’ll learn how to determine what’s right for your or your client’s needs, what design considerations to bear in mind and lots more.We talk about typical applications and case studies and look at how to maximise product performance such as U-values, acoustic insulation and security. We also cover all the important regulatory aspects and design considerations, with particular emphasis on Heritage and Listed Buildings.Our aim is to give you confidence to design discreet, sympathetic treatments that meet the required performance levels and encourage you to involve your secondary glazing provider early on in the design process.
Contents:

How secondary glazing can help meet net zero and other sustainability commitments
Thermal insulation and upgrades to Part L (including U-values)
Control of noise with acoustic insulation (including dB ratings)
Window security (including blast, intruder, ballistic and fire)
Applications (including Listed and heritage buildings)
Standards and regulations
Specification process (including the range of products)
Maintenance
Economics

Speaker – Selectaglaze

Webinar - steel for wall and roof cladding
2026-02-11 17:00 - 18:00
Steel for roof and wall cladding

Steel substrate and properties (Gauge, Galvanising, Different paint system properties and performance)
Structural performance
Fragility, Health and Safety and compliance with CDM Regulations
Aesthetics, Durability & testing and Fire performance
Part L and contribution of systems
Acoustics, Sustainability and Guarantees

Webinar - Nordic Copper
2026-03-04 13:00 - 14:00
Nordic Copper is the product range for architectural applications, e.g. facades and roofs, made by Aurubis. The unrivaled range of factory-applied surface treatments provides copper and brass with various stages of oxidation and patination immediately.
Nordic Copper stands for individual architectural solutions, a long life cycle for buildings and a responsible legacy for future generations.
Copper has been used in building envelopes for many centuries and is characterised by an exceptionally llongevity of several hundred years.
Copper is a beautiful and timeless material with unique properties and performance benefits.
It can be easily folded both mechanically and by hand, on site or in the workshop, and can take on virtually any three-dimensional shape.
Speaker – Richard Parrett – VM Zinc

Commercial leases update
2026-03-04 17:00 - 18:00
Speaker – Richard Snape
This lecture is aimed at: Property professionals and fee earners involved in both contentious and noncontentious property work
Learning Outcome: To give an increased knowledge of the subject matter. To update on current
issues, case law and statutory provisions and to be able to apply the knowledge gained in the better
provision of a service to the client.

Webinar - How climate change affects properties
2026-03-11 16:00 - 17:00
Speaker – Tim Kenny
Tim is a residential surveyor and has been a DEA, Home Inspector and Property Manager in the past. Along with authoring two sections of iSurv for RICS he has also a contributor to the RICS Building Surveying and Residential Journals. Both in teaching and in his own business Tim is focused on how surveyors can deliver the highest possible quality of customer service and benefit to clients.
Outside of his day job Tim is also a Yoga teacher and runs regular webinars for LionHeart, a charity that supports RICS members.

Webinar - Fire safety glazing – a system not a product
2026-04-22 16:00 - 17:00
Specifying fire-resistant glazing and framing systems can be a complex process. This seminar on fire-resistant glazing will provide you with an understanding of the different classifications of fire resistant glasses and their properties, in addition to key legislation and test standards.
Video footage and practical examples will be included to show how each classification performs differently. Various applications and compositions will also be covered to demonstrate the safety, thermal, acoustic and design options that can be achieved when specifying fire glass, offering you a comprehensive introduction to the theme of fire-resistant glazing.
By the end of this CPD delegates should:
1. Have an understanding of the capabilities of integrity only, heat radiation control and fully insulated fire resistant glass.
2. Know how to specify fire resistant glass to meet with recognised EU and passive fire protection industry terminology.
3. Understand some of the acoustic properties of fire resistant glass in relation to BB93 including project examples.
4. Know the basics of designing fire resistant certified systems for windows, doors, partitions and frameless systems applications.
5. Have an understanding of how the multi-functionality of fire safety glass can facilitate innovations in architectural design, with reference to project examples.

Webinar - RIBA 2030 climate change challenge, how steel contributes
2026-04-29 17:00 - 18:00
Speaker – Elen Worthington, Tata Steel
RIBA 2030 climate challenge: How steel building envelope solutions contribute
Covers:

Operational energy.
Embodied Carbon.
Potable water use.
Best practice health metrics.
How to meet the challenge.

AI webinars - essential viewing for all surveyors
2026-05-19 16:00 - 2026-06-04 17:00
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is starting to reshape the role of surveyors — not by replacing them, but by changing how they work. It enhances inspection, analysis, reporting, and decision-making, while human expertise remains central for judgement, liability, and client advice.
By integrating AI into their practice, members and RICS-regulated firms can make data-driven decisions. However, the responsible use of AI is important for the benefit of all stakeholders, including the public and the environment. As AI deepens its transformation of surveying practice, establishing clear, reliable standards is more critical than ever.

The RICS has just published its new professional standard on the Responsible use of AI
AI is increasingly being involved – both knowingly and unknowingly – in producing professional work in surveying. Since AI can be used to substitute human decision-making, it is important to have safeguards in place to ensure members and RICS-regulated firms maintain control of their professional work. This ensures quality for clients and upholds high standards in the public interest.
The standard aims to:

assist RICS members and regulated firms in establishing guardrails to maintain professional judgement while adapting to the use of this new technology
build confidence in data management
ensure effective communication with clients.

By doing so, the standard seeks to support trust among stakeholders and ensure AI enhances safety, resilience, and innovation in the natural and built environment.
To assist your understanding CPD essentials is running two webinars on AI

Workshop 1 – 19 May 2026 – AI for Surveyors – a practical introduction
Workshop 2 – 4 June at 4pm – AI Compliance and the RICS Standard

AI for Surveyors: A Practical Introduction
A practical introduction to AI for surveyors. What it is, how it works, where it fits into day-to-day practice, and where it breaks.
Delivered live by Nina Young, founder of Surveyors UK.
What we cover:

What AI actually is, in plain English
The tools you are already using without realising
Demonstrations of AI tools
How to write prompts that get useful results
What AI gets wrong, and why that matters
Privacy and client data – what not to do

Format: One hour live on. One hour formal CPD. Slides and links sent after.
Date: 19 May 4 – 5pm
Cost: £45.00
Workshop 2 – GUARD AI workshop

Getting started with the RICS Professional Standard on Responsible Use of AI in Surveying Practice

G – Governance – what does your firm need in place before anyone touches AI?
U – Use – what do you do when AI meets a live instruction?
A – Accountability – who is responsible and what they must sign off?

R – Risk – what could go wrong and how to manage it?
D – Documentation – what must you tell clients and be able to show on request?

A focused, practical workshop for surveyors and firm directors who need to understand the standard and act on it. Built around the GUARD Framework: Governance, Use, Accountability, Risk, Documentation.
The session is not an introduction to AI and it is recommended that you book both sessions. This session is focused on:

a map of mandatory requirements
Practical guidance on implementation
How to structure your approach
Useful tips and tools to take away

By the end of this workshop, you will:

Know every mandatory requirement in the standard and which ones apply to your firm
Understand the materiality test that determines how much of the standard you need to implement
Have a practical structure for building AI governance using the GUARD Framework
Be able to start building the core compliance documents the standard requires
Know how to explain to clients, colleagues, and insurers how your firm governs its use of AI

Format: One hour live online. One hour formal CPD. Slides and links sent after.
Date: 4 June 4-5pm
Cost: £70.00 + VAT
** BOOK BOTH SESSIONS FOR £100 AND SAVE £15 **

Historic Building Day - EVENT SOLD OUT
2026-06-03 09:00 - 17:00 | Shaw House, Church Rd, Shaw, Newbury, Berkshire, RG14 2DR, United Kingdom
🗓️ Date: Wednesday 3 June⏰ Time: 0900 – 1700📍 Location: Newbury

Join us for an engaging and insightful CPD day dedicated to surveyors working with historic buildings. This event offers a valuable opportunity to deepen your understanding of traditional construction methods, conservation principles, and the unique challenges posed by heritage structures. Through expert-led sessions, real-world case studies, and practical guidance, you’ll enhance your ability to assess, repair, and preserve historic fabric with confidence and care. Whether you’re looking to refine your technical knowledge or stay up to date with best practices and regulations, this CPD day will equip you with the skills and insights needed to excel in the specialist field of historic building surveying.
The day will include include:
Marianne Suhr who will speak on:

Retrofitting walls and roofs in solid walled structures
Repairing timber framed buildings

Kevin Stubbs who will speak on:

Historic brickwork

Henry Landis, Historic England who will speak on:

fire safety issues for heritage buildings including compartmentation, fire doors, fire strategy and sprinklers,. emergency planning preparing for a number of incident types including salvage plans.

The event will be held at the historically interesting Shaw House in Newbury
Shaw House is a significant example of an early symmetrical H-plan Elizabethan architecture mansion, situated in the village of Shaw on the north-eastern edge of Newbury. The house is designated Grade I listed building, while its surrounding park and gardens are listed at Grade II.
Constructed in 1581 for the wealthy cloth merchant Thomas Dolman, the house later became associated with the Second Battle of Newbury, during which it stood at the centre of the fighting. Although long believed to have served as headquarters for King Charles I, recent research suggests he never actually visited the property. The house did, however, host other notable visitors, including Elizabeth I.
In the 1720s, Shaw House was acquired by James Brydges, 1st Duke of Chandos. While not his principal residence, the family spent time in the area, and the second Duke became known locally for marrying Anne Wells, a chambermaid from Newbury. Following the first Duke’s death in 1744, the dowager duchess resided at the house until 1750, after which it was sold to the Andrews family. It later became the childhood home of historian James Pettit Andrews and, for many years, also served as a school.
Why choose CPD essentials
✅ Local✅ Cost effective✅ Expert and informative speakers✅ Personal and friendly service
💼 Price: £160 + VAT (includes refreshments, lunch, and a comprehensive online delegate pack)🎯 CPD: 6 hours
Contact Alison with any questions
Speakers
Marianne Suhr

Marianne is a Chartered Building Surveyor and has specialised in conservation and traditional construction for 30 years. Always fascinated by historic buildings, her early career started as a Clerk of Works for The National Trust, followed by a travelling scholarship with the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings (SPAB). She worked for seven years in architectural practice on high profile buildings such as Cardiff Castle, Kelmarsh Hall and the National Trust estate at Avebury.
In 2002 Marianne gave up her desk job to concentrate on ‘hands on’ building experience. Her first project was a derelict farmhouse in Leicestershire which she spent two years bringing back to life, learning a variety of practical skills on her journey. She has since repaired and adapted three other houses of her own; a cottage in Bristol, and more recently, two timber framed houses in Oxfordshire, gaining specialist knowledge along the way.

She was a co presenter during three series of BBC2’s ‘Restoration’ programme. She has also fronted the Discovery series, ‘Project Restoration’ and worked with Kevin McCloud on Channel 4’s ‘Restoration of the Year’.

For over ten years Marianne worked with the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings, running around 100 courses and practical workshops around the country, teaching builders, homeowners and architects how to repair old buildings using traditional materials. She continues to teach on various aspects of repair and retrofit in conjunction with the SPAB and The National Trust.
In 2008, Marianne co-authored the ‘Old House Handbook’, designed as a practical resource and guide for homeowners on all aspects of traditional building repair. Updated in 2023, it continues to be the ‘go to’ book for anyone buying or owning an old house. A companion volume, the ‘Old House Eco Handbook’ furthers this mission and advises on energy efficiency and retrofitting.
Over many years of learning through ‘hands-on’ experience, Marianne has developed a practical approach to repair and retrofit She is dedicated to the philosophy of ‘repair’ rather than ‘replace’, retaining the integrity and authenticity of an old house. She is particularly interested in using lime mortars, lime plasters and traditional paints to give buildings both an authentic finish and to allow them to ‘breathe’.
Marianne enjoys the challenge of ‘reworking’ buildings with poor internal layouts, and using good design to problem solve and update tired interiors.
Kevin Stubbs BA (HonsArch). DipBldgCons (AA). IHBC. CertEd.
Kevin Stubbs is a Historic Buildings Consultant and comes with a background of education, archaeology and building conservation. In his early life he was director of an Archaeological field unit. For many years he was Principal Historic Buildings Conservation Officer for Hampshire County Council, later acted as the Director of a Museum & Building Conservation Centre and since 2007 has run his own Historic Building Consultancy. Since 1977 he has been an advisor to a very active local Buildings Preservation Trust. In 2022 he was invited to take up the post of Senior Courses leader for the York University validated MSc Building Conservation courses based at the Weald & Downland Living Museum. These courses are designed on a modular basis to cater for those mature students who are in full time professional employment & wish to gain an advanced qualification in building conservation
Henry Landis, Historic England
Fire safety advisor

FREE AI webinar
2026-07-23 15:30 - 16:30
Ian Quayle, chief executive at IQ Legal Training, is pleased to present this FREE one-hour webinar session on Thursday 23 July at 3.30pm, suitable for surveyors of all levels

This webinar will cover

The 75-year history of AI
The current use of AI in surveying
Compliance issues
Contractual, jurisdictional and data protection issues

Notes will be provided, and there will be an opportunity for delegate questions. Register your place below today or drop me an email on alison@cpdessentials.co.uk.

Building control CPD day
2026-09-09 09:30 - 16:30 | Norton Park, Sutton Scotney, Sutton Scotney, Winchester, Hampshire, SO21 3NB, United Kingdom
🗓️ Date: Wednesday 9 September⏰ Time: 0930 – 1630📍 Location: Winchester

Join us for an engaging and insightful CPD day encompassing all issues of Building Control:
John Palmer and Colin Blatchford Brown
The day will include include:

The latest on building regulations
Building safety act
Fire safety

🏗️ 1. Core Regulatory Updates
Start with what’s changed—this is often the most valuable part.

Updates to Building Regulations 2010 UK
Recent changes tied to the Building Safety Act 2022 UK

Fire Safety (critical post-Grenfell)

Approved Document B updates
Fire stopping, compartmentation, materials
Case examples of non-compliance

Energy & Sustainability

Approved Document L
Fabric-first approach
SAP/EPC implications

Accessibility

Approved Document M
Real-world compliance challenges in refurbishments

Site Inspection & Practical Scenarios

How to carry out effective inspections
Enforcement powers under Building Control

Regularisation vs enforcement notices
Professional liability and sign-off risk
Interaction with planning vs building control

Why choose CPD essentials
✅ Local✅ Cost effective✅ Expert and informative speakers✅ Personal and friendly service
💼 Price: £150 + VAT (includes refreshments, lunch, and a comprehensive online delegate pack)🎯 CPD: 6 hours
Contact Alison with any questions

CPD day for Quantity Surveyors, Bristol
2026-09-30 09:00 - 16:30 | Veale Wasbrough Vizards, Narrow Quay House, Narrow Quay,, Bristol, BS1 4QA
30 September 2026
CPD essentials is excited to introduce this event to Bristol – It has been running in Southampton for over 20 years and is always well attended
I would like to thank Veale Wasbrough Vizards for their support in offering us a venue which enable us to OFFER A SPECIAL INTRODUCTORY PRICE OF £100 plus VAT

A full day of CPD aimed at those working as a Quantity Surveyor within private practice, local government or construction. A lively mix of topics will be presented which includes the following:

Adjudication
PII update
JCT constructing excellence contracts
Unlock the Power of Geospatial Intelligence
Retrofitting property with thermal insulation.
Whole life costing for buildings
Building safety act

The cost of the day to include conference proceedings, all refreshments, lunch and a online delegate pack is £100 plus VAT = £120
CPD – Up to 6 formal hours
Book below or by calling Alison on 07429 523183
