BNG is a world-leading piece of legislation and a key opportunity for development and nature recovery to work together. However it has faced several challenges since its implementation. It is clear that the application of mandatory BNG to small sites, which came into force in April last year, has been one of the most talked about and significant of these challenges.

This IES, ALGE & CIEEM Symposium will host expert presentations looking at what the reality is on the ground for practitioners, as well as considering some of the solutions that have been posed, such as the introduction of a levy. The event will conclude with a panel discussion.

This event is part of the 2025 BNG in Practice event series.

Our Chair

Mark Nason, Head of Professional Practice, CIEEM

Mark’s role as Head of Professional Practice at the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management is to support and challenge ecologists and environmental managers to be ambitious for themselves and for nature. He is passionate about ecology, soil, environmental justice, equity in education and employment, and meeting skills needs in the environmental sector. He has championed ecological restoration since graduating from his ecology degree over 25 years ago, and introduced new professional training, under- and postgraduate degrees, and apprenticeships, to help diversify routes into the environmental sector. With the CIEEM team Mark works on collaborative projects to raise standards of practice and build capacity. He is a Full Member of CIEEM, a Certified Ecological Restoration Practitioner with the Society for Ecological Restoration, and a Council Member and Committee Chair with the British Society of Soil Science.

Our Speakers

Peter Massini, Director, Future Nature Consulting

Peter is an experienced green infrastructure strategist, policy-maker and practitioner. Following a 30-year career working for environmental NGOs, government agencies and London government he established his own practice - Future Nature Consulting - in 2021.  He advises both public and private sector clients on the policy and practice of green infrastructure, nature-based solutions, urban greening and biodiversity conservation in the urban environment. Peter was the green infrastructure policy lead at the Greater London Authority between 2008 and 2020. He successfully embedded a policy framework (including the first citywide Urban Greening Factor) in the London Plan and ensured green infrastructure objectives were incorporated into other Mayoral policy frameworks and programmes. This has resulted in widespread implementation of nature-based solutions across London to address climate change, public health, biodiversity conservation and other sustainable development objectives

Jason Reeves, Policy Lead, CIEEM

Jason Reeves CEnv MCIEEM is currently Head of Policy at the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM). He leads CIEEM’s influencing and advocacy activities, being responsible for ensuring that CIEEM is recognised by its members and external stakeholders as the voice of the profession across the UK and Ireland. He is a Trustee of Wildlife and Countryside Link, and volunteers with practical wildlife conservation groups in his local area. He has nearly 20 years of experience in the environment sector.

Oliver Lewis, Founder & CEO, Joe's Blooms

Oliver Lewis CBE is the Founder and CEO of Joe's Blooms Ltd, specialising in supporting small sites comply with the BNG process. He and his company have been cited as experts in the field by Natural England. Oliver previously worked in No.10 for a number of Prime Ministers on matters relating to international affairs. 

More speakers to be announced