Culture change, sustainability and more… what’s in store at UK Construction Week?

UK Construction Week (UKCW), the country’s largest live show for the construction industry and all its related professions and trades, is coming to London ExCeL centre on 3-5 May to explore how the industry implements new behaviours, best practice, and a true cultural shift in how it builds for the future.

Whether it be around building sustainably, building safer, or creating highly skilled and diverse workforces, there has never been a better time for the industry to come together to share their experiences and visions for the sector.

Nathan Garnett, UKCW event director, says: “We’ll be focusing on the fundamental issue of culture change at the London show in May and how we achieve the systemic changes the industry has been discussing for some time, encouraging new ways of thinking across all areas of construction.

“We want our guests to be able to learn from the organisations who have already made a strong start, and network, challenge, and inspire others to drive the future of the industry forward. Our goal is to ensure there’s not a corner of construction that doesn’t know how to live its core values, implement new policies and behaviours, and be transformed by culture change.

“With so many displays, exhibitors, shows and products you won’t find anywhere else, it will be a chance to celebrate the sector’s achievements with some of the best thought leaders and innovators construction has to offer. This is must-attend event for anyone that wants to have their finger on the pulse of all things construction.”

UKCW London will consist of more than 40,000 sq m of exhibition space, more than 300 exhibitors (600 including co-located shows), 10,000 products, 300 expert speakers, seven theatre stages, multiple specialist hubs, and 150 hours of CPD content and activities.

Day one will include updates on new rules around public procurement, the new regulatory regime on building safety, the forthcoming Building Safety Act, and the new ways in which the industry works on projects as wide ranging as prisons, hospitals, road and rail infrastructure, education buildings and housing. Day two will be a deep dive into digitalisation, net zero and energy futures, and day three will focus on diversity, health and wellbeing, recruitment and retention issues.

Just a few of the major industry players that will be exhibiting at the show include A Proctor Group, Durisol UK, Google, HS2, Kingspan, SEMIN, and Xero, with expert keynote speakers including:

Working with content partner Build In Digital, the Digital Construction Hub will deliver practical workshops on best practice in digital strategy, BIM, cloud computing, cybersecurity, use of big data and the whole range of ways in which new technology can improve efficiency, productivity and profitability.

The Innovation Zone will offer a mix of innovative solutions and products for construction contractors and specifiers to explore. It will also be a chance to boost their environmental efforts with the area set to shine a light on the sector’s green change-makers.

Some of the products on show include advanced sensors for buildings to improve air quality, anti-microbial technologies, multi award-winning tapes for insulation boards for improving thermal performance, an energy and chemical-free water purification system, and a timber pallet recycling scheme.

The Infrastructure Hub, sponsored by CEMEX, will host speakers from the Infrastructure Projects Authority and Barbour ABI to showcase the learning from major projects like HS2, Thames Tideway, Royal Docks London and the West Midlands Growth Engine, and to analyse government policies that will affect infrastructure over the next decade.

The Sustainability Hub will include sessions looking at best practice in low-carbon building and retrofit from Europe, regenerative design and biomimicry, hydrogen innovation, 3D printing, waste issues and building for disassembly.

The Offsite Alliance Hub will share the learning from its members who work alongside leading organisations, industry bodies, government, local authorities and housing associations to increase the uptake and delivery of offsite technologies across the residential sector.

Main stage sponsor COINS is hosting its Future Series of specialist CPD sessions and will be holding the COINS Grand Challenge 2022, which is free to enter, aimed at kick-starting innovative ideas which could improve the built environment.

The challenge helps innovators grow their ideas, win cash prizes and business investment of up to £100,000. The deadline for entries is 31 May, and COINS will be holding a drop-in Q&A each day of the show between 10am and 11am.

UKCW’s Role Models awards campaign also returns for its fourth year. An opportunity to recognise talented professionals across all areas of construction, it aims to attract others into similar roles by sharing inspiring career journeys. This year’s shortlist will be announced in London, with the winner crowned at UKCW Birmingham on 4-6 October at the NEC.

Another set of awards to be announced this May will be the Fix Radio Tradesperson of the Year awards for the country’s leading and most innovative tradesmen and women. Nominations close on 31 March.

Free registration is now open with one entry badge providing access to co-located shows Concrete Expo (3-4 May), the Offsite Show (3-5 May), and Grand Designs Live (30 April-8 May). Industry conferences the Future of Work in Construction (4 May) and REA’s Heating Conference: Decarbonising Buildings (5 May) will also run alongside the event.

Download the free UKCW app to book one-to-one appointments with delegates and exhibitors, and follow UKCW on social media using the hashtags #UKCW2022 #UKCWLDN to get regular updates on the event.