In his first public speaking commitment since winning the RIBA Stirling Prize this year, architect Steve Tompkins  of Haworth Tompkins will join the Independent’s architecture critic Jay Merrick, in conversation at next year’s Ecobuild show.

Ecobuild will also play host to sessions with Sir John Armitt, former chairman of the Olympic Delivery Authority, Lord Deben, chairman of the Committee on Climate Change;  and Green Party leader Natalie Bennett, as part of the conference programme.

And if that wasn’t enough to excite the UK’s design community, architect Ian Simpson will be hosting a session on the subject of tall buildings. Highly regarded in the industry, Simpson's practice has been responsible for much of Manchester city's ‘new look’. He is set to discuss the big question ‘are tall towers the most sustainable way to accommodate a burgeoning population?’

For housebuilders and contractors, construction magnate James Wates, chairman of £1bn contractor Wates and chair of the CITB will ask ‘Are we up to the job of delivering sustainable buildings that work?’ 

In addition, Lord Deben is set to join the discussion panel asking the question: Does a 'no' vote for European membership mean the end of UK sustainability policy?

Group head of sustainability & construction, Ecobuild, Alison Jackson, said: “To foster innovation we must challenge the industry with new thinking and this is what Ecobuild’s conference programme is all about. Join us for lively debate with the industry’s most respected futurologists and hear the very latest thinking, technological innovations and best practice next March.”

Now open for registration, Ecobuild 2015 is set to attract over 44,000 built environment professionals when it takes place from 3-5 March at London’s ExCeL next year.

To register for a free ticket to Ecobuild visit www.ecobuild.co.uk/register.