Asbestos 2026: BOHS and FAAM organise 9th asbestos conference as safety concerns rise across the UK

The British Occupational Hygiene Society (BOHS) and the Faculty of Asbestos Assessment and Management (FAAM) are hosting the Asbestos 2026 Conference, taking place 29–30 April 2026 in Birmingham. 

The event will bring together researchers, regulators, industry leaders and practitioners to discuss the latest developments in the assessment, control and management of asbestos risks.

The conference comes at a time of heightened attention on asbestos safety in the UK. BOHS experts have recently warned about several emerging concerns, including the presence of asbestos contamination in children’s play sand, the rise of fraudulent asbestos surveyors, and gaps in national oversight of asbestos risks in schools.

These developments have reinforced calls for stronger awareness, improved competence in asbestos surveying and management, and better transparency around asbestos risks in public buildings.

Jonathan Grant, FAAM Registrar told That's Business: “The annual FAAM conference brings the latest insights on the detection of asbestos to a broad audience in an understandable way. 

"As the only non-commercial and science-led event in the asbestos field, it provides definitive access to the information we need to support the control of the UK’s biggest man-made environmental cancer risk.”

The Asbestos 2026 Conference aims to address these issues directly, providing a platform for the latest scientific research, technical guidance and policy discussion.

Experts attending the event will explore topics including:

Advances in asbestos surveying and analytical techniques

Improving competence and standards in asbestos assessment

Emerging challenges in asbestos management and remediation

Technological innovations and future developments in the sector

Policy developments and regulatory approaches

The conference is the ninth annual asbestos event organised by BOHS and FAAM, bringing together professionals from across the asbestos and occupational hygiene sectors.

Through technical presentations, expert discussions and networking opportunities, the event aims to support better professional practice and strengthen the systems that protect workers and the public from asbestos exposure.

Asbestos remains one of the most significant occupational health hazards in the UK, and improving how it is identified, assessed and managed continues to be a priority for occupational hygiene professionals.

By bringing together leading experts and practitioners, the conference will help shape the next steps in tackling the UK’s ongoing asbestos legacy.

The address of the conference is Central Square, Holliday St, Birmingham B1 1HH.

More information and to book your place:

https://events.bohs.org/event/asbestos-2026

https://www.bohs.org

https://www.bohs.org/membership/for-individuals/working-professional/faam-membership

FCM M&E Makes Power Move with fresh Acquisition — And It Changes Everything for Events

FCM Meetings & Events (FCM M&E) has just made its first-ever acquisition, and it’s not a small one. 

The global MICE heavyweight has snapped up fresh, the award-winning creative force behind standout brand experiences for giants like Visa, Vodafone, M&S and Samsung.

This isn’t just another industry deal. It’s a statement of intent.

By bringing fresh into the fold, FCM M&E is transforming from a logistics-led events player into a fully integrated experience powerhouse, one that can design, produce, and deliver world-class events from concept to curtain call.

Scale, speed, and serious creative firepower

The immediate impact is huge. The combined UK team will quadruple in size to nearly 100 specialists, with new hubs in Manchester and Edinburgh joining its London base. That’s not just growth, it’s strategic expansion into key creative and commercial centres.

But the real story is capability.

FCM M&E can now offer clients a single, seamless service that covers everything: global travel logistics, event delivery, creative concepting, content production, and even high-end film production, all under one roof. No more juggling agencies. No more fragmented execution.

Why this matters right now

The timing couldn’t be sharper. With 98% of event organisers now prioritising attendee experience, the pressure is on to deliver events that are not just well-run, but unforgettable.

FCM M&E’s EMEA lead, Frits de Kok, says the business has already seen a 50% surge in demand year-on-year, and this move is designed to capitalise on that momentum.

The acquisition of fresh plugs a long-standing gap in the MICE sector: the disconnect between planning and creativity. Now, strategy, storytelling, and execution sit side by side.

From logistics to “standing ovation” moments

This is about more than efficiency, it’s about impact.

With fresh’s creative DNA now embedded into the business, FCM M&E is positioning itself as an end-to-end partner that doesn’t just manage events, but creates experiences people remember.

As fresh CEO Lee Harris puts it, the goal is simple: remove friction, amplify creativity, and deliver measurable ROI — all backed by global infrastructure and smart tech.

The bottom line

FCM M&E hasn’t just expanded. It’s reinvented its proposition.

In a sector where expectations are rising fast, this move signals a clear shift: the future of events belongs to those who can think, create, and execute, all in one place.

And right now, FCM M&E looks ready to own that space.

https://www.fcmtravel.com/en-gb

Cherie Blair to be at conference in Aston, Birmingham

QC and human rights campaigner Cherie Blair will be inspiring women as a key note speaker at an event hosted by Conference Aston in Birmingham.

The former prime minister’s wife will be speaking at the lunch on July 8th which is hosted by the Network of Aspiring Woman, founded by former Apprentice star Jo Cameron.

‘An Afternoon with Cherie Blair’ forms part of a larger networking event, with more than 400 female business owners and directors expected to network at an exhibition and a morning of seminars.

Cherie was the ideal speaker for the event, which is focused on empowering women and encouraging them to network, according to Jo.

“Cherie is one of the highest profile female ambassadors in the UK for human rights through her charity work and through her work as a barrister,” said Jo.

“And she successfully juggled her family and career alongside being the wife of the Prime Minister during her years at 10 Downing Street, which makes her the perfect person to inspire our network."

“We are delighted that she speaking at the event and look forward to welcoming her, along with the hundreds of delegates to the event on July 8.”

Conference Aston was the perfect venue for the event according to Jo, for its central location as well as for its fantastic facilities.

“It’s a great learning environment as it’s at the heart of Aston University and is so accessible from the city centre,” she said.

“But it also has a lovely atmosphere and the facilities we were looking for in one place, from break out rooms for seminars to a restaurant big enough to host the 200 people we are expecting for lunch."

“The Conference Aston team have worked closely with us to develop the itinerary for the day and are a key part of making the event a great success.”

Conference Aston head of sales and marketing Christine Page said she was looking forward to showcasing Conference Aston’s facilities to Cherie and the delegates.

“We are delighted to playing host to such a high profile event, which is so positively supporting women’s networking in the region,” she said."

“It’s a great example of the diverse range of events we can accommodate and all our staff are looking forward to welcoming Cherie Blair, Jo and the delegates.”

Entry to the exhibition is free and tickets for the lunch can be purchased at www.networkofaspiringwomen.com.

Conference Aston welcomes over 54,000 people a year to Birmingham for training, residential conferences, for weddings and to stay in its high quality hotel facilities and on site campus accommodation.
It is at the heart of Aston University in Birmingham, which is a long established research-led university known for its world-class teaching quality and strong links to industry, government and commerce.