Training day ‘more important than ever’ due to subsidence surge risk
With experts already taking the view that the UK has entered a period of subsidence surge, the Subsidence Forum Training Day in October is likely to be the focus of hot debate as well as learning.
It is more important than ever to understand why and how subsidence occurs and future trends in its impact, given that climate change is predicted to make the issue more complex and widespread.
The Subsidence Forum is the industry home for subsidence, providing an opportunity for technical practitioners, insurance claims specialists, academics and government agencies to debate key issues.
Put advice to immediate use
Its annual training day takes place on Wednesday 15th October 2025, at Mythe Barn, Warwickshire. It will provide attendees with expert guidance on subsidence investigation, mitigation and repair techniques.
The Subsidence Forum’s Chairman, Paul Duddle, who is also operations director at insurance claims investigations and repair specialist Catalyst Services UK, says the event is an example of good timing.
Paul Duddle said: “Many of the people attending our training day will have the impact of a subsidence surge high on their priority lists and are likely to already be experiencing a rise in demand for their services.
“Now is a good time to remind ourselves of best practice in managing subsidence. Our attendees include insurance claims specialists and property managers who are always keen to learn more about what is a complex issue. This year they’re likely to put what they see and hear to immediate good use.”
Data ‘clearly aligned’ with previous surges
Around 150 attendees are booked onto the Subsidence Forum Training Day. They will rotate in groups around five guided demonstrations about:
- Low carbon concrete
- Laboratory testing of soils
- Repair techniques for drainage pipes affected by subsidence
- Micro-piling of building at risk from, or affected by, subsidence
- Innovative approaches for restricted access sites
In his latest edition of his Subsidence Claim report, Michael Lawson, Chief Executive of Property Risk Inspection, a Subsidence Forum member, presents data that indicates subsidence risk is clearly aligned with previous subsidence surge events.
The soil drying cycle for 2025, which has experienced some of the sunniest and dryest spring and summer months on record, follow the same pattern as surge years in 2022, 2018 and 2003.
Heat mapping of ground movement data also shows activity spikes in regions outside the South East of England – in East Yorkshire, the North West, Bristol and South Wales – a clear sign that a subsidence surge was on its way.
An increase in subsidence cases, many of them in areas that may not have experienced them before, raises important and potentially difficult issues, for example how trees may put properties at risk and what to do about it.
Become a Subsidence Forum member
Paul Duddle says: “The data provided by specialists such as Michael is telling us that climate change will almost certainly make subsidence surges more frequent and potentially more intense, and that it will affect larger parts of the UK.
“The Subsidence Forum wants to play its part in responding to these challenges. We would welcome more organisations, notably insurance companies, loss adjusters and brokers, to become forum members, as well as local authorities and government agencies.
“By working together, pooling data, plus sharing good practice and professional insights, we can do more to support property owners and make decisions that best protect the wider environment as we counter the subsidence surge threat.”
Attend the training day – a few places left
The Subsidence Forum Training Day is expected to be fully-subscribed event. However, at the date of publication of this article, there were still places left.
Attend the training day: Book Delegate Tickets Now.
For free apprentice training spaces or to enquire about booking an exhibition stand to promote your organisation at the event, email: bookings@agmhouse.com
Request a Subsidence Forum membership pack: go to our Membership Benefits Page
Unit 14
