First direct will sponsor this year’s GRAND VILLAGE and GRAND Seminar Theatre at the forthcoming Grand Designs Live London show, from 1-9 May, at London’s ExCel Centre.

The offset mortgage provider will be the official sponsor of the GRAND VILLAGE section, for the second year running, as well as sponsoring the Grand Seminar Theatre, the main stage for all talks, workshops and seminars, situated within the Grand Village.

The GRAND Village features a series of new build dwellings that showcase the very latest in building design. Visitors will be able to explore the latest conceptual, eco-friendly and sustainable structures on show. They can experience firsthand a fully functional eco-house, and see eco-technology in place with fully furnished show homes.

The GRAND Seminar Theatre will host a number of seminars which will cover debates on housing, sustainability, innovation and regeneration.

First direct will also be giving away Wattson Personal Home Energy Monitors to potential customers who have a mortgage agreement in principle offered to them as a result of visiting the stand this year as well as £100 off their mortgage arrangement fees. The Wattson is a consumer-driven energy monitor which can help consumers save up to 20% on household energy bills.

Natalie Cowen, head of brand for first direct, said:rship: “Last year was our first time at the event and it was great to meet so many of our customers at the show and to be introduced to many news ones who came to our stand to play with the Microsoft Surface technology and learn more about our products.