On the 5 June, on the eve of World Green Roof Day 2025, the Green Roof Organisation (GRO) held its first Members’ Day at The Open University in Milton Keynes.
The aim of the event was to bring people together throughout the green infrastructure supply chain, including manufacturers, suppliers, specialist contractors and other industry professionals, to enjoy a packed day of presentations and discussions celebrating the links between industry and academia in line with this year’s World Green Roof Day theme of Education. GRO welcomed international members, Zoontjens from The Netherlands and Maurizio Crasso from Italy, to represent the European Federation of Green Roof and Wall Associations (EFB).
Part of the day was facilitated by GRO Associate Member, Tessa Tricks, who hosted a ‘World Café-style’ event – the first of what GRO hopes will be many events designed to educate, innovate and grow the green roof industry.
The event
The event was opened by Milton Keynes Youth Mayor Maggie Beckett, with ‘lightning talks’ from Fran Rolfe of Cyfoeth Naturiol Cymru / Natural Resources Wales; Mike Webb of West Midlands Combined Authority; Heather Rumble of University of the West of England; Dr Julia Cooke and Dr Kadmiel Maseyk of The Open University; Giles Doland, Chair of GRO’ and Dusty Gedge, European Federation of Green Roof and Green Wall Associations (EFB) Ambassador.
Towards the end of the event, attendees were provided with a tour of the Living Roof Live Lab at The Open University by Project Lead Dr Kadmiel Maseyk. The Living Roof Live Lab is initially a two-year research project gathering evidence and data on the benefits of green roofs in the UK, with the findings set to impact and influence how green roofs are designed, implemented and understood across the UK.
“The inaugural GRO Members event, excluding the weather, was a real success with positive conversation, creative thinking and knowledge exchange among our members. We are extremely grateful to The Open University for hosting the event and to all of the brilliant speakers. We will continue to bring the membership together, to enable open conversation and ideas sharing for a sustainable industry future.”
Chris Bridgman – Vice Chair – GRO
