McBains Hosts University of Oxford Capital Projects Team for Cost Management Workshop

The workshop followed our appointment to the University’s Cost Management Framework in 2024, and provided the perfect opportunity to host a sector-wide Cost Management Workshop. Representatives from across the consultancy landscape attended, including AECOM, Arcadis, Currie & Brown, Drees & Sommer, Gleeds, Rider Levett Bucknall (RLB), Turner & Townsend alinea.

The session covered a range of important topics from risk and opportunity management to framework processes and the latest marketplace trends, fostering a collaborative environment for sharing expertise and aligning best practices in support of the University’s ambitious estate projects.

McBains Director of ESG & Sustainability, Tassos Kougionis, presented on Retrofitting for Sustainability. His talk explored the urgent need for proactive measures in decarbonising the built environment, highlighting key messages:

• The cost of inaction is increasing — with rising energy prices, greater reputational risk, and the potential for regulatory non-compliance.
• MEES regulations now apply to all non-domestic leased buildings, requiring EPC E as a minimum today, with targets likely to move to EPC C by 2027 and EPC by 2030 (pending final legislation).
• Energy upgrades and heritage preservation can work hand-in-hand, when projects are informed by a clear understanding of site constraints, building fabric, condition, and future requirements.
• Retrofit is no longer optional — with heat network subsidies underpinning Oxford’s low-carbon strategy, Quantity Surveyors must work closely with clients to cost, phase, and deliver retrofit projects effectively.
• McBains has extensive experience in developing both portfolio-wide and individual building decarbonisation strategies, particularly within heritage contexts.

The workshop proved to be a valuable platform for cross-industry knowledge sharing and collaborative problem-solving, reflecting McBains’ commitment to helping the University achieve its strategic objectives for sustainability, heritage preservation, and operational efficiency.

We look forward to continuing to work alongside our peers and partners to deliver meaningful progress on the University’s estate, and to helping shape a low-carbon, resilient future for Oxford.