As Headline Supporters of the Association of University Directors of Estates (AUDE) annual conference 2024, a team from Ridge is looking ahead to 15-18 April 2024 in Northumbria.
On Wednesday 17 April in the Student Union, they will be leading a discussion on ‘Health and Wellbeing in Universities: The impact on the student experience”. Our speakers are: Simon Mason, Architecture Partner; Phil Kelly, Sustainability and NZC Partner; and Leonard Poon, Cost Management Partner.
In a post-pandemic world, the session will spark discussion around the relevance of ‘Health and Wellbeing within Higher Education facilities and the University Campus’. While all universities pursue the ambition to be a ‘successful university’, we’ll discuss whether health and wellbeing is the sole answer to success, or if there are other aspects that should be considered?
Simon Mason, Architecture Partner
Simon leads our Architecture department in London. He brings first-hand knowledge and experience of leading and delivering high-quality, national and international projects. Recently he has worked with the University of Portsmouth on the design for a Student Hub and Technology building, ensuring a strong focus on user experience and delivering an environment that promotes the very best conditions for health and wellbeing.
He has a passion for design that is people-orientated and underpinned by sustainable principles. As well as a strong belief in the benefits that emerge from multidisciplinary collaboration, Simon strives for designs that positively impact users and wider society. He leads teams and manages stakeholders to deliver creative solutions quickly and efficiently. An innovative thinker, Simon provides the highest quality result for his clients and projects, working on many building types including university campuses, high-rise developments, cultural buildings, R&D buildings and HQ developments for pharmaceutical, automotive and aerospace clients.
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Phil Kelly, Sustainability and NZC Partner
Phil is a strategic leader who brings over 15 years of experience in building services and sustainability. Recognised as an international thought leader, Phil has delivered pioneering research, projects and initiatives in collaboration with global industry organisations, leading on decarbonisation and the circular economy.
In the last decade, Phil has delivered new build, refurbishment and retrofit projects for multiple universities nationwide. He has expertise in heritage and conservation areas owing to his Oxford and Cambridge University experience which includes the Blavatnik School of Government (RIBA award-winning and shortlisted for the RIBA Stirling Prize); the Beecroft Physics building; Cambridge Children’s Hospital; and the Ray Dolby Centre (Cavendish Laboratory). Phil has led the energy and sustainability strategies for some of the most innovative and complex projects across UK in the education, science, commercial, and healthcare sectors.
Email Phil
Leonard Poon, Cost Management Partner
Leonard is a Chartered Quantity Surveyor with over 20 years’ experience, who heads up the Cost Management team in our London office. Over the last 18 months he has led the Ridge team, supporting the University of Portsmouth’s master plan to create a modern and progressive campus for living and learning.
Leonard’s experience also includes project management; cost planning and management; and procurement for a wide variety of public and private sector projects. These include healthcare, housing, hotels, leisure and education. He takes responsibility for ensuring projects meet clients’ budget and time aspirations, through regular contact with project teams and clients.
Email Leonard
