EPDs | Understanding the benefits & their value
The demand for EPDs is growing and the number of EPDs is rising.
It is therefore becoming more important for manufacturers to consider an EPD, but also to understand them. They are complex documents and can be quite daunting.
This webinar aims to help the manufacturers understand the value of an EPD and understand why specifiers ask for them.
Hear from:
- Rachel Hoolahan, Associate Director at Orms, will talk about why EPDs are helpful for their BREEAM or Ska Rating assessment and how they can help them make more informed environmental decisions.
- Flavie Lowres, Environmental Metrics Manager for Recolight, will give an overview of what EPD are and how to create and read an EPD.
- Dr James Upstill-Goddard, Senior Sustainability Manager – Embodied Carbon at Willmott Dixon
Recolight and FIS have been collaborating for over a year now on supporting the industry in understanding EPDs and the process
The webinar is Co-chaired by
- Iain McIlwee, CEO, Finishes and Interiors Sector (FIS)
- Nigel Harvey, CEO, Recolight.
The presentations are followed by a Q & A session. You can ask questions on the day, or submit in advance on the registration form.
FREE TO JOIN | PLEASE REGISTER
A link to the recording and slide pack is sent to all who register.
If you can’t make it, please register so that you can be sent the slides
Panelists
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Nigel HarveyChief Executive at RecolightNigel has worked in the Product Compliance Industry since 1990 in a variety of senior management roles covering marketing, business development, and operational management. Nigel joined Recolight as Chief Executive and Company Secretary in 2009. He is very active in both the lighting and WEEE sectors:
• Chair of the UK’s WEEE compliance scheme trade association, the WEEE Scheme Forum (WSF) since 2011, and a director of WSF Ltd since 2013.
• Nominated as a PCS guest to attend meetings of the Joint Trade Association (JTA) which works with producer trade associations including the LIA, to obtain a fair UK WEEE system. Has supported the JTA in the preparation of the proposals to operate the WEEE compliance fee which have been chosen by Defra in 7 of the last 8 years.
• Elected as a Director of EucoLight, the European trade association for lighting WEEE compliance schemes in 2015. Elected Vice President of EucoLight in 2017.
• Member of two BSI committees that include the review of WEEE treatment standards, and the development of a code of practice for the remanufacture of lighting equipment.
Nigel has published over 40 articles on WEEE and lighting over the last four years. He was named the first ever Lux Magazine Person of the year in 2012 and has been listed as one the UK’s 100 most influential people in the waste/resources industry for several years. He is also a climate activist. -
Flavie Lowres, PhDEnvironmental Metrics ManagerFlavie joined Recolight in February 2026, taking on the role of Environmental Metrics Manager. She will work for Recolight for two days a week and takes over Max Robson’s role managing the Recolight LCA Service.
Flavie joins Recolight with a distinguished track record in sustainability and environmental science. After earning her PhD from the University of Birmingham, she began her career at BRE in 2003 as a materials scientist. Rising to the role of associate director, she specialised in life cycle assessment (LCA), environmental product declaration (EPD), and the circular economy of construction products and buildings. She has applied her LCA knowledge to other sector such as shopfitting equipment and temporary shelters for disaster recovery areas.
In 2021, Flavie founded Green Thinking Ltd, further cementing her commitment to sustainable practices. She also joined the Finishes and Interiors Sector (FIS) as their sustainability champion, where she has spearheaded the development of project reuse, an initiative aimed at standardising and industrialising reuse in commercial fitout projects. Additionally, Flavie is a fellow of the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining (IOM3) and chairs their Construction Materials Group Board.
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Rachel Hoolahan BSc (Hons) Architecture, Master of ArchitectureAssociate Director at OrmsRachel Hoolahan is Associate Director at Orms, a leading London architectural practice specialising in sustainable building adaptation. Her pioneering work in materials passports has positioned her at the forefront of retrofit innovation, leading a cross-industry working group of over 100 professionals developing scalable reuse methodologies.
With recent research co-authored with Lancaster University, Rachel is developing practical frameworks for material reuse that directly address embodied carbon challenges. Orms’ landmark project at 75 London Wall demonstrates their approach to deep building refurbishment, showcasing ambitious targets for sustainable transformation.
An active member of research groups such as the UKGBC, NLA Net Zero Expert Panel and LETI, Rachel bridges academic research with practical design solutions. Her expertise spans whole life carbon assessments, circular economy strategies, and the commercial viability of retrofit – making her a leading voice in reimagining our built environment’s sustainable future.
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Dr James Upstill-GoddardSenior Sustainability Manager - Embodied Carbon at Willmott DixonJames has worked in Willmott Dixon’s sustainability team since 2022, providing technical expertise to project teams on embodied carbon reduction and low carbon design across all national operations. He also helps set and drive forward the embodied carbon reduction targets set as part of Willmott Dixon’ Now or Never sustainability strategy.
Prior to joining Willmott Dixon, James has worked with a range of different construction product manufacturers developing responsible sourcing strategies, life cycle assessments and EPD, and holds an Engineering Doctorate in sustainable construction from Loughborough University. James was a contributing author on the CIRIA publication ‘Minimising risk through responsible sourcing: A handbook for the construction industry’ and is a keen advocate for material reuse and circular economy. -
Iain McIlweeCEO , Finishes and interiors SectorIain McIlwee is a Materials Engineer whose journey in construction started in a scaffolding yard in Hanwell in 1995. He has worked in around construction since in a number of roles including CEO of the British Woodworking Federation, Director of the Fire Door Inspection Scheme and serving as a non-Exec Director of FENSA and Vice Chair of the Construction Products Association. Iain is currently CEO of Finishes and Interiors Sector, the trade body for the £10 billion UK fit-out and finishing sector.
In addition to his role at FIS, Iain sits on the Steering Board of the City of London Corporation’s Skills for a Sustainable Skyline Taskforce and is a Director of Ska Rating a not-for profit accreditation scheme that helps landlords and tenants assess fit-out projects against a set of sustainability good practice criteria. Iain has been a FIR Ambassador since 2021.
