The CIOB is holding an innovative industry/government conference on 25-26 November, tackling these five main themes.
Construction 2025
Now that the industry has had time to digest the Industrial Strategy for Construction – Construction 2025 – the conference will feature an update from the new Construction Leadership Council and a survey of members’ views on whether the goals are achievable and what is needed to facilitate success.
The Construction Leadership Council is supporting the debate with a keynote address. “We’re delighted that Peter Hansford [pictured above, co-chair of the CLC and chief construction adviser at BIS and the Cabinet Office] will be there to explain the role of the council in shaping the future of UK construction and to give us an update on the progress that is being made,” says CIOB chief executive Chris Blythe.
The CIOB is also aiming to have ministerial government representation in a session that will also include Paul Drechsler, chief executive of Wates, and CIOB president Peter Jacobs, md for London at Morgan Sindall, giving their viewpoints. Attendees will also hear results from extensive CIOB membership research.
UK Economic Recovery
Are we finally coming out the other side of the recession and what impact has it had on the construction industry? Mark S Berrisford-Smith (left), head of economics, UK Commercial Banking, HSBC Bank, will give a keynote presentation on the recession’s impact both in the UK and overseas, as well as an analysis of construction as a driver for recovery.
Philip Beswick, commercial manager at the Velux Group, one of the headline sponsors for Talk Construction, says: “The construction industry can go a long way in driving the economy forward in this country, but it needs to be invested in and more initiatives are needed.”
Client perspectives of working in the current environment will also be explored with Anna Gagliano, project director and head of information management at developer Argent, while Andrew Wyllie, chief executive of Costain Group, will offer practical business advice.
Krishnan Guru-Murthy will then lead a debate about overcoming the challenges.
Attracting finance and investment
What should the construction industry be doing to secure medium to long-term investment? How is it possible to reduce the risks in order to offer a more attractive risk versus reward proposition to public and private investors? And what opportunities are available in terms of attracting institutional investors?
Richard Threlfall (above), UK head of infrastructure, building and construction at KPMG, and one of a number of high-level experts speaking on this topic at the event, says: “We need to be investing now in building great infrastructure that is a help rather than a hindrance to our entrepreneurial efforts. We know what good looks like – we need to get on and build it.”
This session will also look to address some of the challenges faced by construction companies looking to work overseas, an issue highlighted in our September issue. John Ellis, chief executive of Construction Link, will look in detail at the opportunities and issues that need to be considered when working in the Middle East.
Getting the model right
How can the construction industry improve efficiencies, become more competitive and create stability and sustainability to become more competitive with overseas contractors?
With a range of experts looking at the practical implications of digital technologies such as BIM, competitiveness through green building, changes needed in the tendering process, effective payment practices and case studies such as Heathrow’s Terminal 5, day two will look at ways to win business and manage expectations, while delivering on time and on budget.
Stephen Ratcliffe (above), director of the UK Contractors Group, says: “The conference is an opportunity for the industry to talk and agree on the priority issues. Where is the industry going to be next year? As we’re emerging out of recession, are we going to be hit by a skills gap? Where is the capital going to come from for investment – China? What new challenges are there going to be on the green agenda?”
Filling the leadership and skills gap
Recruitment specialist Hays has found there is increased, yet cautious, optimism in the construction sector over recent months, with nearly two thirds (63%) of employers saying they expect business activity to increase in the next 12 months and over half (58%) expecting to increase staff salaries. However, the upturn is likely to create increased skills shortages with 54% of employers saying they expect to face a shortage of experienced candidates in the next year.
Morgan Sindall London region managing director and CIOB president Peter Jacobs (above) says: “The biggest challenge facing the construction industry is skills.”
The redefinition of leadership and skills within the industry will be high on the agenda, and delegates will be able to understand where the skills gaps are and what the outlook for the future will be. A case study from Costain will focus on what employers can achieve when they take control of government funding for skills training under the Employer Ownership of Skills pilot, followed by a panel discussion.
For details and tickets visit www.talkconstruction.co.uk
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