Its been a bumper year for NLA NextGen. Across 2024 we hosted 11 networking events, as well as our ‘Finding Your Place’ conference back in June, bringing together NextGen networks from across the built environment, as well as hosting mentoring evenings and a roundtable event with the Greater London Authority at LREF. 

 

We’ve had over 2000 NextGen join us across the year at those various events -  so thank you for being part of this integral NLA network and a big thanks to our NLA NextGen Committee for all their input and actions over this year.  

 

Here the NextGen committee reflect on 2024 and their time on the committee: 

 

Serving on the NextGen Committee has been both insightful and rewarding. It’s been great gaining a deeper understanding of the different challenges affecting the built environment’s future leaders and collaborating with passionate professionals to identify ways to support and resolve them. I’m excited to keep driving these impactful changes forward.

 

My time on the Next-gen expert panel was a really useful and interesting experience. Being able to connect and share ideas with like-minded people at a similar stage of their careers was incredibly valuable. Furthermore, having the opportunity to then speak to a much broader audience, at the charette early this year for instance, and raise points that then became a key to the discussion highlights the key role the committee members as well as the committee itself plays in wider conversations on the built environment.

One of my highlights was taking part in one of the charettes - it was great to have the opportunity to have productive conversations with other people in the industry at all levels of seniority, finding the points of common interest and feeling like we were coming to real tangible solutions to the problems. My priorities for 2025 are to continue helping Next Gen join conversations and workshops with more senior members of the industry - working together to find solutions for the future generation, using the expertise and experience of more seasoned players.

Being part of the NLA NextGen Committee has been an enriching experience in my career. Over the past two years, my participation in various industry events, mentoring sessions and discussions has broadened my understanding of different perspectives and innovative ideas. The members of the committee and the organization have continually motivated me, encouraging significant conversations about the built environment. Together, we have exchanged knowledge, addressed key issues and worked collaboratively toward a brighter future. I am thankful for the chance to help shape the leaders of tomorrow through this program and I am eager to see what initiatives the committee will undertake in the coming years. I encourage all the young leaders to get involved and ensure their voices are heard.

A fantastic experience filled with vibrant discussions on issues affecting not just the Nextgen, but also the wider industry. Really looking forward to carrying the momentum on into the next year and continuing the work started by this year’s committee.

This year in my new role at Waltham Forest, I feel more a ‘generalist’ than ever. As brought to the fore during this summer’s ‘Finding Your Place’ NextGen conference, and reassuringly so, this is no bad thing! Next year, as the sector uncovers opportunities brought by asserted change, I look forward to collaborating with NextGen colleagues in the interest of our common goals.

The NLA NextGen committee has been a fantastic platform for engaging with dynamic professionals across the built environment, all committed to promoting early-career voices. This year, I’m excited to help deliver a new programme of events and reports, continuing steady support for emerging talent in the industry.

The NextGen Committee plays a pivotal role in shaping the future of our industry, providing a platform for emerging leaders to influence key conversations. By bringing together diverse voices and ideas, we’ve helped to ensure that the next generation is equipped to drive innovation and lead the change that our built environment urgently needs. I’m incredibly grateful for this experience and for the opportunity to collaborate with so many inspiring change-makers. A true highlight of mine was building, chairing and attending our first NexGen Conference. It was amazing to see the success and next steps from this event. I am very fortunate to have been part of this committee for two years, as it has shaped me as a specialist in the built environment; as well as guided me through my first years in the professional sphere.

Serving on the 2023-24 NLA NextGen Committee was transformative, particularly representing at the Urban Health Charrette, which clarified my career focus on urban health and research. Highlights included gaining industry insights, building confidence through connections like Rosemary Feenan’s team, and securing the Urban Futures Scholarship. In 2025, I aim to support committee objectives through evidence-based research, prioritising retention and sustainability.

Thank you to everyone who has been a part of this programme across the year. We’re ready to jump into 2025 continuing the success of our NextGen programme, championing the professional development of young leaders and helping to shape the future of the built environment.