Kate Bellingham (right), the former BBC presenter and engineer, is to host a series of panel discussions at this year’s Building Services Summit.

She is one of the UK’s best-known engineers and a passionate communicator about the importance of the industry.

Following a four-year spell on the BBC’s flagship science programme Tomorrow’s World, Kate has spent considerable time pushing for the greater involvement of women in engineering. In 2011, she won an outstanding achievement award for her campaigning and charitable efforts on this issue.

This year’s Building Services Summit is being jointly organised by the Building Controls Industry Association (BCIA); Building Engineering Services Association (BESA); and the Electrical Contractors’ Association (ECA). Other bodies, including the Federation of Environmental Trade Associations (FETA), are also lending their support.

The Summit will focus on how the construction sector can deliver buildings that operate more effectively and efficiently in the long-term. Presentations from government, research bodies and building managers will be supported by panel discussions.

Speakers at this year’s event include senior civil servant Roy Evans of the Cabinet Office who will be presenting on the Government’s Soft Landings programme; and the British Library’s Paul Kavern, who will be offering a view on how the Library has faced its challenges as a building.

Senior policy advisor on energy efficiency for the Department for Energy and Climate Change (DECC), Tomas De Staic, will also be presenting on managing the public sector real estate in an energy efficient way.

The discussion sessions will allow delegates to ask questions of panelists and also to identify common ground for making improvements in construction practice. Topics will include:

* How can we move away from retentions?

* Do building regulations stifle innovation?

* What are the alternatives to the current processes of construction?

* Can better training help alleviate problems?

The Building Services Summit will be held at the British Library on 23 November. For more information and to book a place for £30, visit www.buildingservicessummit.co.uk.