INSIGHTS & IMPACT FROM SHIFT25

Held at Lift in central London — a venue and community hub dedicated to supporting young people into employment, creativity and enterprise — SHIFT25 created space for ideas, insights and collaboration across the furniture and design ecosystem. Themes spanned decarbonisation, material innovation, certification strategies, social value and the future of workplace design. 

Sessions uncovered the complexities of global supply chains and the growing momentum behind shared ESG standards. We explored the need to rethink material choices with a focus on longevity, recyclability and local infrastructure, and took a closer look at what social value means in practice, the barriers that often hold initiatives back, and practical tips for getting started.

SHIFT25 was designed not only to inform, but to spark dialogue. Attendees welcomed the transparency and tools offered, the focus on progress over perfection, and the opportunity to connect across roles and perspectives. One of the biggest takeaways? The industry is ready, and eager, to move faster together.

Together, we also raised £935 for The Felix Project, a charity working to tackle food waste and food poverty by rescuing surplus food and redistributing it to those in need across London.

A huge thanks to our purpose-led event partners:
Redemption Roasters, who support young people in the prison system with barista training and employment opportunities, and Social Pantry, a catering company committed to hiring and empowering ex-offenders and those facing barriers to work.

Thank you to everyone who joined us! Read on for the key takeaways from each session. 

SHIFT25 sessions at a glance

WELL / LEED / BREEAM

Host: Alex Webb – The Furniture Practice
 

• Key focus areas included VOC compliance and responsible timber sourcing.

• Circularity remains a challenge due to a lack of standardisation, but is expected to improve.

• Emphasis on strategic use of certified EPDs and increasing responsibly sourced timber requests

Decarbonising Your Supply Chain

Host: Phil Towle – The Furniture Practice & Future Works
 

• Led by Phil Towle, a member of the UKGBC’s Supply Chain Decarbonisation Task Group.

• Explored complexities of multi-tiered supply chains and the need for better supplier engagement.

• Steel was highlighted as a key challenge due to poor traceability and low carbon literacy.

• Called for international strategies and shared standards to enable industry-wide progress.

Rethinking Materials: Sustainable CMF Workshop

Host: Katie-May Boyd – Studio TIP
 

• Highlighted the trade-offs between sustainable choices and commercial feasibility.

• Regional variation in recyclability complicates global material strategies.

• Encouraged simplifying finish options and focusing on long-term functionality over trends.

Steps to Success: Creating Meaningful Impact Through Social Value

Host: Laura Berman – Allford Hall Monaghan Morris
 

• Advocated for small, local initiatives as practical starting points.

• Emphasised the importance of internal alignment and appointing a social value lead.

• Stressed the need to build self-sustaining systems that deliver long-term, scalable impact — whether through donations, partnerships or community collaboration.

Powering Smarter Solutions: TFP Digital Product Hub

Host: Tom Rennison & Doug Bodenham – The Furniture Practice & Future Works
 

• Showcased how TFP’s Digital Product Hub streamlines consultancy workflows.

• Raised considerations around product visibility and data gaps in fabrics (currently being addressed).

• Reinforced the importance of governance and preserving the human side of consultancy.

The Future of Workplace Design: Innovating for Sustainability

Host: Joanna Knight, Harsha Kotak, Lucy Bagshaw, Ana-Rita Martins – Sustainable Design Collective
 

• Explored how circularity varies by product and manufacturer.

• Discussed underuse of take-back schemes and how to improve uptake.

• Shared learnings from reuse trials in carpet tiles and lighting — with potential for wider application.