This week I exhibited at my first Futurebuild event in the London ExCel. Not only was this my first Futurebuild however, but it was also my first event with team SustainIQ and my first ever event that I had a core part in exhibiting as a Marketing Executive.

A huge challenge, but the last week has been insanely rewarding and enjoyable, discussing some unbelievable innovations across the construction industry that are really going to change our world, SustainIQ included.

As the biggest innovation in construction event in the UK, Futurebuild brings the greatest minds in the sector together to discuss challenges in the years’ ahead, as well as those challenges we are facing today.

Having only stepped into the sustainability and construction space recently, Futurebuild was an amazing opportunity for me to listen and learn from the best minds in business.

I’ve had some truly inspirational discussions, with amazing technologies that track the lifecycle of the built environment, from the initial consultation and design, through to the operational build and the continued facilities management process with the use of smart technologies, software and hardware.

Across all my discussions, however, two things were clear and consistent. Firstly, there is a clear change in rhetoric. Sustainability as a topic, even in education, was always positioned to me as the “nice thing to have” in business.

Throughout my career so far, sustainability has always been there in the background. I spent my time working for retailers helping in small ways to drive the cause for sustainability and circular economy, whilst studying the impact and ethics of green-marketing and greenwashing on brand throughout university.

But this is very different – this is no longer in the background. ESG and sustainability are now at the crux of business, and people really are discussing challenges from a commercial perspective, starting to see the value beyond pure profit in implementing a business strategy that prioritises people and stakeholders over shareholder gain.

Secondly, people seem worried about sustainability. I spent the last week listening to challenges, learning, soaking up knowledge and offering my perspectives. Across every discussion, however, there is an air of concern. I got the feeling that I was not the only one who was new to the sustainability space.

Yes. Sustainability is overwhelming. There is a lot to learn.

Sanctions are starting to unfold that will change the future of work, but looking optimistically, the potential that sustainability offers us as both businesses and individuals to do better, and change our world for good, is inspiring.

Listening to individuals from businesses launching satellites that will track heat in buildings across our planet, or business leaders creating technology that will capture energy use in individual houses, rooms and help people lead sustainable lives, one thing I’ve realised is that sustainability isn’t just “nice to have”. The true power of sustainability is mind-blowing.

When I put that first foot into the sustainability space, and took on a new career with SustainIQ, I was presented with a massive learning curve, but as people and professionals, we’re always learning. Working together to solve challenges. Taking shared steps toward a better future.

Leaving Futurebuild, I feel confident. Confident that I am making the best professional steps in the right direction. Confident that I am working alongside an amazing team. Confident that we at SustainIQ will really change the world, for good.

And confident that with the connections and networks we’ve built in the last week, we’re one step closer to achieving that mission.

Join us along the way – if you were at Futurebuild and caught us there, drop us an e-mail at [email protected], or learn more about our mission on our website www.sustainiq.com