Driving delivery is the overarching theme of BE-ST Fest 2026, and in the North of Scotland, this is brought into sharp focus through heat & energy efficiency.

While improving energy performance is a national priority, the challenge is particularly acute in the North of Scotland. Harsh weather conditions, a high proportion of older and harder-to-treat homes, and a significant number of off-gas grid properties combine to create one of the most complex energy landscapes in Scotland. These factors contribute to disproportionately high levels of fuel poverty, alongside the urgent need to decarbonise heating systems in line with Scotland’s 2045 net-zero targets.

This summit will go beyond discussion. It will convene those already delivering solutions on the ground, industry leaders, innovators, policymakers, and communities to share practical insights, align efforts, and accelerate implementation. The focus is clear, how do we overcome barriers, strengthen supply chains and scale solutions to drive the delivery of warmer, more efficient, and low energy homes across the North, and beyond?

Time: 08.30 - 15.00

Date: 6th October 2026

Location: Eden Court, Inverness

Heat & Energy Efficiency

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Heat & Energy Efficiency 〰️

Our speakers

Victoria Erasmus

Sustainability Director of the Glen Mhor Hotel and Uile-Bheist Distillery and Brewery

Victoria, the Sustainability Director of the Glen Mhor Hotel and Uile-Bheist Distillery and Brewery, as well as the J&R Group Hotels, is an accomplished leader in Scotland's hospitality sector. With over 25 years of experience spanning both hospitality and education, Victoria is committed to blending these fields to promote lifelong learning within the industry.

Victoria has championed sustainable tourism and practices, making significant investments to set new industry standards. In May 2022, she unveiled Scotland's first River Source Energy Centre at the Glen Mhor, a groundbreaking £8 million project that provides all heating and water needs through sustainable energy, eliminating the use of gas. Her dedication to sustainability also encompasses advocating for green practices, mental health awareness, and diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.

A qualified teacher with a passion for accessibility and education, Victoria has dedicated her career to developing sector-leading resources/ initiatives and school programs designed to break down barriers while ensuring that sustainable tourism is embedded across her businesses. Her work ensures that individuals from all backgrounds have the opportunity to access and benefit from educational resources, developing a more inclusive and equitable environment for all.

Vicky Walker

Centre Manager for Home Energy Scotland Highlands and Islands

Vicky Walker is Centre Manager for Home Energy Scotland Highlands and Islands, leading support for households across Argyll and Bute, Highland, Orkney, Shetland and the Western Isles.

A strong advocate for community-led retrofit and locally delivered solutions, she has worked extensively with partners across the region to tackle fuel poverty, improve energy efficiency and strengthen local supply chains. As a member of Changeworks’ leadership team Vicky also leads on Equality, Diversity and Inclusion for the organisation and brings a public health perspective to her work on championing a fair and inclusive transition to net zero.

Arith Liyanage

Head of Operations for Grid Technology Substations, Siemens Energy

Arith Liyanage is an experienced operations and business leader with over 30 years of experience across construction, infrastructure, project management, and business transformation. He currently serves as Head of Operations for Grid Technology Substations and FACTS at Siemens Energy, leading the delivery of critical transmission and grid resilience projects across the UK. Throughout his career, Arith has held senior leadership positions in rail, construction, geotechnical engineering, and energy sectors. He is passionate about building high-performing, diverse teams and enabling the infrastructure required to support the UK's energy transition and net-zero ambitions.

Mini Nambiar

Head of Strategic Technical Development at SSEN Transmission

Mini Nambiar is Head of Strategic Technical Development at SSEN Transmission, part of SSE Group. She leads innovation and strategic development, supporting the adoption of new technologies into business-as-usual deployment, helping deliver the transmission infrastructure needed for a cleaner, more secure energy future. With global experience across consumer electronics, manufacturing, oil and gas, and defence, Mini brings broad engineering and leadership insight. She is also an active STEM Ambassador, committed to creating a lasting legacy through university outreach programmes.

Matthew Logan

Senior Repowering Officer, Community Energy Scotland

Matthew has worked in the community energy sector for 6 years, primarily supporting communities across the Outer Hebrides with a wide range of sustainability projects.

He has worked across revenue-generating energy projects, sustainable transport, local energy supply, and wider energy issues. Matthew is passionate about the power of sustainable energy in enabling communities across Scotland to address local priorities.

Carrie Higgins

Tertiary Education Leader Technology, Environment and Education at UHI Inverness

Carrie Higgins is the Tertiary Education Leader Technology, Environment and Education at UHI Inverness and is responsible for curriculum areas including Construction, Education, Engineering, Forestry and Science. Within these curriculum areas she oversees the provision of full-time, part-time, apprenticeships and work-based education from SCQF Level 4 to 11.

Carrie is a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and has a Postgraduate Certificate in Tertiary Education with Teaching Qualification Further Education from the University of Stirling. Before coming into the tertiary education sector Carrie worked as a civil engineer in various projects across Scotland having graduated from Heriot Watt University in 2006 with a BEng (Hons) degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering. More recently, she was awarded a PgCert Civil Engineering and Construction Management.

Carrie joined UHI Inverness in 2009 and has designed and developed curriculum, including the Foundation and Graduate Apprenticeships in Civil Engineering and Construction, work-based degree in Forestry and MSc Engineering and Built Environment Management. She has also had a wider impact on Scottish education, working with national groups to develop qualifications and training.

Richard Park

CEO, Hub North Scotland

Richard is a chartered surveyor with over 20 years of experience across the built environment, with involvement in sectors including: health, education, housing, energy and transport. He is a Statutory Director in two Government-backed Public Private Partnerships: Hub South East Scotland Ltd and Hub North Scotland Ltd, and is also a Director within Galliford Try Investments.

Hub North Scotland, an organisation working across the north region, supports the delivery of significant regional investment programmes, including the Highland Investment Programme, Aberdeen City Vision Masterplans and the North Schools Programme. Hub North are also spearheading critical public sector coordinating vehicles, including the North Territory Energy Coordinating Structure, involving Eight Local Authorities as well UK and Scottish Government to maximise the legacy investment associated with the energy investment programme across the region.