Futurebuild 2026: the year retrofit becomes the housing sector’s defining mission

As the pressure to decarbonise homes intensifies, 2026 is shaping up to be one of the most important years yet for social landlords and local authorities. Retrofit has moved far beyond the stage of small pilot schemes and select demonstrator projects. It is now a core operational priority that affects long-term asset planning, compliance, maintenance strategies and resident wellbeing. 

Futurebuild 2026 will place this reality at the centre of the event through the National Retrofit Conference and a programme designed to help professionals move from ambition to delivery.

Retrofit for housing providers:
Futurebuild has long been recognised as a platform where ideas, products and practice come together. This year’s event takes this further by making retrofit the defining theme. The National Retrofit Conference, curated by The Retrofit Academy, has been designed to address the practical challenges that housing associations and councils face every day. It brings together technical experts, policy specialists and delivery partners to explore issues such as skills, supply chains, quality assurance and long-term planning. 

The programme also benefits from input by the National Retrofit Conference Steering Group, whose members help ensure the content reflects the realities of the sector and the ongoing pressures faced by those responsible for improving homes.

Big Retrofit Challenge returns:
A core part of Futurebuild 2026 is the Big Retrofit Challenge which returns with an expanded structure and a stronger focus on turning innovation into real outcomes. Delivered in partnership with the National Home Decarbonisation Group and Innovate UK, the challenge aims to showcase new ideas that can support large-scale retrofit programmes. This year it introduces revised categories, including dedicated spaces for digital and AI solutions. 

Finalists will be invited to pitch live at the National Retrofit Conference and will be supported through the NHDG pavilion where they will meet members and take part in content sessions. The changes to the challenge are intended to strengthen the route from innovation to implementation and provide clearer opportunities for collaboration once the event has finished.

Networking with peers:
Alongside the challenge, Futurebuild 2026 will host three interconnected retrofit spaces. The NHDG pavilion will act as a hub for discussing supply chains, skills, insulation, accountability and the consistent delivery of compliant retrofit work. The Retrofit Academy Pavilion will provide guidance on training pathways and accreditation for the workforce needed to deliver the scale of upgrade required across the country. 

The Local Authority Hub will support councils and social housing providers to share their experiences and explore issues such as procurement, programme design and resident engagement. Together these spaces create an ecosystem within the event that supports learning, collaboration and practical problem solving.

Skills gap solutions:
A number of challenges still shape the national retrofit landscape and these will be reflected throughout the Futurebuild programme. One of the sector’s pressing issues is the skills gap. While interest in green construction continues to rise, many people entering the workforce remain unaware of the broad range of roles involved in retrofit. 

Success depends not only on installers but also on project managers, assessors, designers and engagement specialists. Without clear entry routes and accessible training, the sector will continue to struggle to meet its delivery aspirations.

Supply chains also remain inconsistent. Although there are accredited installers operating across the UK, the routes into new programmes are often unclear. Many contractors delivering large schemes also struggle to secure local supply chains which makes it difficult to embed social value and community benefits into project delivery. Futurebuild will provide space to explore how supply chains can be strengthened and what the next stage of professionalisation might look like.

Another critical issue is the need to avoid a one size fits all approach. Retrofit must start with people, homes and communities. To succeed, projects need early performance monitoring, meaningful resident engagement and technical solutions that match the characteristics of each home. This is increasingly recognised across the sector and is reflected in the themes of the conference.

Improving delivery:
There is also a need to learn from inconsistent delivery standards in previous funding rounds. Recent analysis has highlighted a range of issues caused by poor installation and variable compliance across schemes. These lessons must shape how the sector approaches upcoming programmes. Clearer accountability, better data and higher standards at every stage are essential to rebuild confidence and deliver long term performance.

Join other retrofit leaders:
Public sector engagement with Futurebuild 2026 is already strong. More than 30 organisations have registered, including Homes England, DESNZ, the Building Safety Regulator, Historic England and local authorities from across the country. This reflects a growing recognition that retrofit is central to meeting cost, quality and compliance expectations. It also indicates a clear appetite for events that combine strategic insight with practical guidance.

For Housing Management and Maintenance readers, the National Retrofit Conference will be a valuable space to understand what lies ahead. Sessions will explore the future of insulation and fabric-first approaches, the role of digital tools in improving accuracy, the importance of data in planning and monitoring works and the impact of resident engagement on successful delivery. There will also be opportunities to hear directly from innovators, suppliers and housing providers who are trialling new approaches.

Futurebuild 2026 is not only a showcase of ideas. It is a space to support the sector to move more confidently and consistently. The National Retrofit Conference provides a curated programme rooted in the needs of housing associations and local authorities. The wider retrofit pavilions support skills development, supply chain improvement and collaboration. The Big Retrofit Challenge brings forward new solutions and sets out a clearer path to adoption.

As 2026 approaches, retrofit will continue to demand attention and investment. Futurebuild is set to be a key moment for the sector to reflect, plan and take forward the next stage of national delivery.

Martin Hurn, Event Director, Futurebuild.