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

Sally Hayns, CEO, CIEEM

Sally has been an ecologist for more than 30 years, working primarily in the eNGO and public sectors. She joined the (then) Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management as CEO in 2010 and has been instrumental in driving forward change within the Institute and the profession. Under her stewardship the Institute gained its Royal Charter in 2013 and introduced a Competency Framework for the profession, which now forms the basis for membership and chartered ecologist grades and assessment, championed biodiversity net gain as a key tool for nature recovery, and consistently promotes the ecology and environmental management profession as a key player in action to address the environmental challenges we face. Sally also champions green skills for all, having previously chaired Defra’s Nature Skills Working Group and sat on the UK Government’s Green Jobs Delivery Group.

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.

More speakers to be announced soon.