DAY 2 • WEDNESDAY 16 SEPTEMBER • 13.15 - 14.00
Panel discussion: BSI panel: Evolving accessibility standards for the built environment
A multidisciplinary panel bringing together standards bodies, industry practitioners, access specialists, and lived experience to explore how accessibility guidance is evolving - and how it can better reflect real-world neurodiversity and inclusion needs.
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How accessibility standards are developed, applied, and updated in practice
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Where current frameworks (including PAS 6463 guidance) succeed - and where gaps remain
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How lived experience is shaping the next generation of design guidance
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How different sectors interpret and adapt principles in real-world delivery
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How feedback loops between industry and standards bodies can be strengthened
Jean Hewitt, Accessibility and Inclusion Specialist, Buro Happold, BSI Tech Author of PAS 6463
BSI speaker to be confirmed
Neil Smith, Mayor’s Design Advocate
Tricia Smikle, former RNIB Programme Lead and Project Lead for the multi-award-winning Grimaldi Building project
Jean Hewitt
Jean is an accessibility and inclusive design specialist with over 25 years experience, and was Technical Author for PAS 6463 “Design for the Mind – Neurodiversity and the Built Environment” 2022 and has contributed to other recent publications, public events and discussion panels on this subject.
Jean is the UK Government’s Disability Access Ambassador for the Built Environment, a voluntary role appointed by the Cabinet office.
Rob Turpin
Awaiting bio.
Neil Smith
Neil is a Chartered Town Planner (MRTPI) and a registered access consultant on the National Register of Access Consultants.
With over 25 years of experience, he is a leading authority on inclusive design. Neil has served as a Design Advocate for the Mayor of London for over eight years, supporting the Mayor’s Good Growth by Design programme.
He currently sits on the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government’s Design and Placemaking Inclusivity Sounding Board. Neil is a Senior Associate Director in the Jacobs Inclusive Design team, prior to this he was the Inclusive Design Lead for High Speed Two (HS2) Ltd, the largest infrastructure project in the United Kingdom.
Neil has contributed to national and international standards, including HS2’s Inclusive Design Standards and the London Legacy Development Corporation’s inclusive Design Standards, and Riyadh Metro’s Accessibility Standards.
He is Deputy Chair of the British Standards Committee B/559 responsible for BS 8300 Design of an accessible and inclusive built environment and was part of the drafting panel for the current version. His expertise spans policy, standards development, and major infrastructure projects.
Tricia Smikle
Tricia Smikle is a senior charity leader with extensive experience in transformational change and inclusive workplace design.
She led RNIB’s award‑winning Grimaldi Building project, now recognised as a national exemplar for accessibility and inclusive workplace design. Her contribution to inclusive design was honoured with the New London Architecture Hidden Hero Award 2025 recognising her role in improving accessibility and supporting inclusive environments for people with sight loss.
Tricia served as a Nominated Governor at Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and holds a Master’s degree in Executive Leadership from Bayes Business School.
She is now focussing on developing her board career, bringing her insight and expertise to organisations committed to social impact.