Registration and tea from 17.00, event starts at 17.30
Add to calendar
Venue
Arcadis - 80 Fenchurch St, London EC3M 4BY
Transport information
Programme
5.30: Introduction and Welcome by Host
5.35 - 6.15: Ten Minute Presentation by each of the 4 panellists addressing these questions?
- Why bother with Conflict Avoidance?
- Why is it important?
- What do we do?
- What are the benefits?
- What is the effect on cost? Morale? Delivery etc?
6.15-6.40: Audience Q and A
6.40-6.45: Sum up and Vote of thanks (Richard Bayfield Chair CAC)
Speaker Details
- Host - Roger Sherrard - Arcadis
- Client - Veronica Flint Williams – Environment Agency
- Consultant – Geraint Laidlaw Wilson - Binnies
- Contractor – Jim McCluskey - Kier Infrastructure
- Institution – RICS – John Fletcher
- Richard Bayfield Chair CAC
Speaker bios
 Roger Sherrard – ArcadisRoger Sherrard is a seasoned Senior Account Director at Arcadis, where he spearheads the Growth function within Climate Adaptation. With over 30 years of extensive experience in major infrastructure projects across the UK, Roger combines deep technical expertise with strategic commercial leadership to drive impactful, sustainable outcomes. For over a decade, Roger has served as Framework Director on Arcadis's Environment Agency Framework, collaborating closely with stakeholders to advance England’s flood resilience programme. His leadership has been instrumental in enhancing community protection and climate adaptation strategies at a national scale. Currently, Roger leads all commercial assurance activities related to the Strategic Resources Outcomes for three major water companies, driving value and efficiency in critical water infrastructure investments. Roger’s career reflects a commitment to excellence, innovation, and sustainable infrastructure delivery, making him a trusted leader in climate adaptation and major programme commercial management |
 Veronica Flint Williams – Environment AgencyVeronica joined the Environment Agency in 2010 after more than two decades in the private sector, where she specialized in the water industry’s commercial and contracting divisions. A qualified civil engineer, she brings her technical expertise to the infrastructure and construction sector, ensuring projects deliver sustainable and resilient outcomes. Veronica is a Fellow of the Institution of Civil Engineers and is passionate about mentoring and inspiring the next generation of professionals. Since joining the Environment Agency, Veronica has played a pivotal role in shaping its commercial strategies across current and future frameworks. As part of the Commercial Centre of Excellence, she sets the standards and best practices for engaging with construction delivery partners. Her work focuses on managing commercial and contractual risk, ensuring a balanced approach that supports successful project delivery through collaborative partnerships. |
 Geraint Laidlaw-Wilson ChPP PMOGeraint is a Chartered Project Professional and NEC4 Registered Project Manager with over 14 years’ experience delivering major infrastructure, flood risk, aviation, and construction programmes across both public and private sectors. He currently leads the PMO function for Binnies’ Flood & Coast Consultancy business and is seconded to the Environment Agency (EA), where he manages high value Flood Risk Management Schemes through design and construction, and serves as NEC4 ECC Project Manager on additional EA projects. Within Binnies, Geraint plays a key role in expanding the Project and Commercial Management offering for strategic clients including the Environment Agency, Natural Resources Wales and Local Authorities. Earlier in his career, he worked as an Aircraft Engineer in the Royal Air Force prior to roles with both EasyJet and Ryanair. |
 Jim McCluskey, FCInstCES FRICSJim currently works for the Natural Resources Nuclear and Networks division of Kier Group. He has spent the majority of his career working on major programmes at senior level, such as Devonport Royal Dockyard and HS2 N1/N2. Key achievements include: establishment and building c25 commercial team including change and 2 x apprentices; Whitechapel Main Station Works; Victoria Station Upgrade, one of the first UK projects to use the CAP method to resolve disputes in JV with Bam for client TfL/LUL. Prior to the foregoing he worked as Commercial Lead on A13 trunk road, M11 Stansted slip roads, HS1 CTRL St Pancras, Olympics Infrastructure and East London Line Extension. The majority of the projects since 2002 have been procured on a NEC Option C open book collaborative contracts where a variety of conflict avoidance measures including Dispute Boards have been in place. |
 John FletcherDr. John Fletcher is the Executive Director of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors' (RICS) Dispute Resolution Service (DRS), where he leads the development and delivery of a wide range of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) services, including arbitration, adjudication, dispute boards, mediation, expert witnesses, and conflict avoidance. Under his leadership, DRS has expanded its offerings both in the UK and internationally, providing training, accreditation, panel membership, administration, and dispute resolution consultancy services tailored to the needs of global industries. John's contributions to dispute resolution extend beyond his role at RICS. He was previously the Projects Director for the ADR Group, where he spearheaded international joint ventures in regions including South Africa, Europe, Brazil, the Caribbean, and other emerging markets. He also developed the ADR Group's UK workplace mediation service and led mediation training initiatives within UK universities. |
 Richard Bayfield FICE, FCIArbRichard Bayfield began his career working as a student at the Thames Barrier. He has held a variety of senior roles as a Contractor, Consultant and Client. He is currently a Vice President at the Institution of Civil Engineers (www.ice.org.uk). He is a former Chair and Honorary member of the Society of Construction Law (www.scl.org.uk ). Recent roles include Client Director / Advisor where he helps Client organisations set up processes, communications, contracts and governance that are purposefully designed to achieve collaborative cultures which reduce the risk of project failure. More at www.richardbayfield.com |