BVCA, the British private equity and venture capital association, became the first organisation to hold a conference in the Pigott Theatre, the lecture theatre at the National Gallery’s newly-launched Sainsbury Wing, in June.
Two hundred delegates attending the Capital Sustainability Conference on 25 June benefited from the brand new conferencing facilities installed during the £85m redevelopment of the Grade I listed Sainsbury Wing at the much-loved London institution.
Easy access
BVCA wanted a central London space to host its Capital Sustainability Conference 2025, an event intended to generate meaningful dialogue on the global trajectory of regulatory developments in private capital value creation, and address strategies for sustainability in this area.
With the event taking place during London Climate Action Week, the association was keen to source a venue that was not only in the capital but was as central as possible to facilitate easy access for the 200 delegates attending from London and further afield.
For the conference, the association required a theatre with staging and high-quality AV to host and support the 35 specialist speakers presenting. With the conference taking place all day, comfortable seating for the 200 delegates was also essential. Additionally, breakout spaces to host masterclass sessions and room in the foyer for sponsor stands were needed throughout the day.
The central London location of the National Gallery, just a short walk from bus, tube and rail connections, meant it was an accessible and low-emission venue choice for attendees, setting the scene for the sustainability-themed event.
The National Gallery events team suggested the Pigott Theatre in the newly renovated Sainsbury Wing for BVCA’s conference. The 322-seater lecture theatre with its tiered, soft-seating provided ample space for the 200 delegates, while the stage was the perfect platform for the 35 speakers.
The integrated AV equipment – the screen, projector, comfort monitor, lapel microphones, and lectern with microphone - was put to good use throughout the day and ensured a seamless delivery of the presentations.
Masterclasses were held in the Whitcomb Room, flooded with natural light and equipped with AV support to maximise the impact of these breakout sessions.
At the start of the day, delegates were welcomed into the Pigott Theatre foyer to enjoy freshly brewed tea and coffee, along with fruit and croissants supplied by Searcys.
Pigott Theatre foyer
Pigott Theatre foyer
During the morning break, Searcys served more tea and coffee with biscuits, followed by homemade cakes in the afternoon. For lunch, the ‘Chef’s Choice’ sandwiches and wraps offered sustainable, low-waste options, using seasonal ingredients sourced specifically for that week’s events. Served with fruit and crisps, this light lunch kept delegates energised and was well-received.
Finally, guests finished their day at a post-conference reception. Drinks served included red and white wine, beer, Pentire spritz and raspberry lemonade while a selection of canapés included tomato and mozzarella stuffed arancini, mini maritozzi crème fraiche with smoked salmon and chives and mini carbonara tart with crispy guanciale.
BVCA was impressed by the new space in the Sainsbury Wing, which it said ‘holds significant cultural prestige’. Combined with the expertise and support of the team at the venue, it was pleased with the ‘polished and professional setting’ with an ‘exceptional’ level of support.
Rebecca Collins, senior events executive, BVCA, said: “The lecture theatre met our expectations in both form and function, and the adjoining networking area allowed for smooth delegate flow and management.
The new entrance to the Sainsbury Wing at the National Gallery
The new entrance to the Sainsbury Wing at the National Gallery
“Venue staff were consistently attentive, guiding and ushering delegates effortlessly between the networking space and the main theatre. Their responsiveness and professionalism far exceeded our expectations.
“Hosting our sustainability event at the National Gallery allowed us to place the topic of sustainability within a broader context of culture, history and education. We wanted our conference to contribute to a wider societal dialogue, highlighting the importance of sustainability beyond just the corporate lens. Additionally, the prestige and familiarity of the venue added significant value to our delegates’ experience. The feedback we received was overwhelmingly positive.”
"The prestige and familiarity of the venue added significant value to our delegates’ experience."