Thurston Group attends IdeasHub

3 min read | Matt Goff | June 2021

Our Business Development Manager, Gemma Darroch, spent the morning attending the IdeasHub from Willmott Dixon and the Procurement Hub.

The first webinar in their leadership series where they’ll be sharing knowledge, insight, intelligence and innovation from industry renowned speakers. With a view to unlock proactive conversation with members, partners and guests. 

Their first online event saw two renowned visionaries of the procurement world who brought their invaluable thoughts and insights. Peter Kilkenny, Executive Director, has developed extensive operational experience across both the public and private sectors, managing a range of Sports, Leisure and Cultural venues. He gave his thoughts around how town and city centres may regenerate in the future. Alan Heron FCIPS, Director of Procurement at Procurement Hub, has over twenty years’ experience in multiple sectors including IT, public, private and healthcare. He provided an overview of the green paper and offered his thoughts on best practise moving forward. 

The event was all about the government’s Levelling Up Fund, which will invest in infrastructure that improves everyday life right across the UK. With a much needed £4.8 billion fund, this will support town centre and high street regeneration, local transport projects and cultural and heritage assets. Town centres and high streets have suffered massively throughout the pandemic and this fund looks to boost local economies and improve the lives of communities in towns up and down the country. 

Gemma Darroch found the event insightful and was interested to hear their thoughts on the long term plans. She said, “I was particularly interested to learn about the longer term NHS care plan which is looking to increase healthcare at a local level. Focusing on people and communities, the plan aims to put a spotlight on collaboration and partnerships involving a whole range of organisations.”

With new fire regulations coming into effect in January 2025, our head of technical, Marc Johnson discusses how Thurston is putting in the groundwork to ensure our products are, not only, exceeding fire regulations but providing clear evidence of performance.


With new fire regulations coming into effect in January 2025, our head of technical, Marc Johnson discusses how Thurston is putting in the groundwork to ensure our products are, not only, exceeding fire regulations but providing clear evidence of performance.