What we learnt from industry experts at UK Construction Week 2024
As well as networking and connecting with key clients at UK Construction Week this year, we were glad to attend a series of insightful panel and keynote sessions, where speakers addressed topics ranging from building safety and proposed changes to the National Planning Policy Framework to sustainability, skills gaps, and industry misconceptions.
On Tuesday we attended 100 days in: How can the sector deliver on the government's ambitious plans to rebuild Britain? featuring David Hancock, Marie-Claude Hemming, Brian Berry, and Jeff May, exploring the progress of the Labour government on building, housing and infrastructure so far. The talk left us feeling ‘cautiously optimistic’, with emphasis placed on the steps needed to ensure the government’s positive intentions are efficiently realised.
On Wednesday morning Claire Ward, mayor of the East Midlands, spoke about the district’s onward approach to infrastructure and housing strategy. She celebrated the landmark closing of the UK’s last operational coal-burning power station, Ratcliffe-on-Soar, on 30 September, and it was encouraging to hear her ambitions to see the area establish itself as a leader in green energy, creating jobs and new communities for the district.
Later that day we heard from Mark Reynolds, Group Chairman & Chief Executive of Mace and Co-Chair of the Construction Leadership Council. He spoke about challenges faced by the construction industry nationally, emphasising that despite its size – employing over 2.6 million people nationally, and accounting for around 9% of national GDPR - there are still huge productivity gaps, which could be addressed by more robust apprenticeship programmes. He highlighted that trained professionals are an essential part of achieving a successful green transition, and that whilst we’re ‘on the path’ to implementing post-Grenfell changes, there’s still much work to be done.
He suggested an addition 11bn could be saved by increasing ‘planning productivity’, mentioning several times that we need better, fairer planning processes – but left us wondering, what specific changes do the construction bodies that CLC represents want to see from planning? Do the government’s proposed changes to the National Planning Policy Framework go far enough?
We were left reflecting that, although change is undoubtedly needed, there’s still unanswered questions around the low build-out rates for approved housing, an issue which was highlighted in our inaugural Market Index Report.
Later the same day we attended an engaging panel session at the event’s mainstage - Scaling Solutions: Changing the Business Model for Construction. The panel was chaired by Ron Lang and welcomed experts Emily King, Adam Thompson, Nigel Ostime and Angela Mansell, to ponder the question ‘why is construction broken?’ and share their experiences with mismanagement and inefficiencies within the industry. It was insightful to hear from professionals who, whilst painting a picture of a sector marred with a range of complex difficulties, seemed hopeful that lasting change was possible with a shift in culture.
The panel concluded that ’traditional’ practices of kicking the can down the road, avoiding difficult decisions, and placing short-term gains over long-term improvement are no longer tenable, particularly when building safety issues are causing risk to life. Adopting a mindset that prioritises quality, accountability, and collaboration at every level of the supply chain is essential, and this will be best achieved by more robust standardisation. Obviously, this will only be possible with buy-in from all parties – and in the short term the panel urged professionals to hold themselves accountable, looking at their own work and adopt best practice and standardisation wherever possible, and most especially not be afraid to say a ‘responsible no’ when proposals, contracts and regulatory measures aren’t up to standard.
In the afternoon, Michael Wain led a dynamic panel discussion featuring representatives from the Women in Construction Awards—an ongoing initiative aimed at elevating and celebrating the achievements of women in the industry. The panel included inspiring leaders such as Simi Ghandi-Whitaker, Natasha Gale, Alison Duckles, and Carol Massay, who shared their personal journeys of rising to leadership roles in what remains a male-dominated sector.
They recounted the setbacks, misconceptions, and challenges they’ve faced along the way, from overcoming gender biases to navigating the industry's often rigid perceptions. Yet, despite these obstacles, they emphasised how these experiences have shaped them into the strong, resilient leaders they are today. The session was a poignant reminder of the need for continued support, mentorship, and recognition for women breaking barriers in the sector.
As we reflect on these discussions and insights, it's clear our industry is facing a pivotal moment. From embracing digital innovation and sustainability to addressing skills shortages and rethinking long-standing practices, there is a collective drive toward meaningful change, which was highlighted by the insights shared at this year's UK Construction Week. The creativity and collaboration on display throughout the event left us feeling both inspired and optimistic about the future.
TerraQuest and Planning Portal are proud to offer cutting-edge digital services that support all aspects of the sector, with a strong focus on sustainability and compliance baked in to all we do. As the industry continues to evolve, we remain dedicated to staying up-to-date with the latest developments, ensuring that our users are informed and equipped with the tools they need to succeed. Together, we can help shape a more efficient, sustainable, and inclusive built environment for all.
