Highlights from the CIOB Events diary for April
Building the Future: AI & Digital Tech in Construction
22 April, 8am-12pm, London
AI is no longer the future – it’s here. This seminar will equip you with the knowledge to understand digital transformation, identify opportunities and stay ahead in an increasingly competitive industry.
This event will focus on how AI and digital innovation are shaping the future of construction across the Greater London and South East region, hearing from different perspectives across technology, legal and project delivery. Speakers include James Garner, senior director at Gleeds; Matt Samways manning director at Aimis; Joe Shepherd, managing director, and Scott Laird, AI & technical director, with Reds10; and May Winfield, global director of commercial, legal and digital Risks with Buro Happold.
Early bird tickets are available for a limited time – book early to secure your place.
Contact: [email protected]
_______________________________________________________________________
CPD – Build Safe. Build Smart. Build Sustainable
23 April, 8am-12pm, Birmingham
Join industry leaders as they unpack two major challenges in construction: delivering real building safety competence and achieving sustainability without sacrificing safety. Speakers on safety include Mark Johnston FCIOB, director of Cube Construction Consultants and CIOB Nottingham Hub vice chair; Pete Dawber, Chartered Building Engineer, consultant; Alasdair Mealey, technical leader building safety, Laing O’Rourke; and Dave Vanderson principal director, Weedon Architects.
As the UK construction industry pushes to decarbonise and adopt more sustainable methods, including innovative bio-based materials like timber, there is growing pressure to balance carbon reduction with uncompromised safety.
The panel discussing how the industry can embrace new materials and techniques while maintaining the highest safety standards will comprise Amanda Williams, CIOB head of environmental sustainability; Charlie Law, founder and managing director at Sustainable Construction Solutions Ltd, sustainability director at Timber Development UK; Mark Harris, head of sustainability at Sika Roofing UK; Dr Monica Mateo-Garcia, architect, associate professor in sustainable built environment at BCU; Martin Milner, Milner Associates, visiting professor at Edinburgh Napier University and technical consultant at Structural Timber Association
Contact: [email protected]
_______________________________________________________________________
Site Visit of the A34 Lodge Hill Interchange Scheme
23 April, 3pm-4.30pm, Abingdon
This Oxford Hub site visit to the A34 Lodge Hill Interchange Scheme offers an opportunity to observe firsthand the ongoing improvements at the junction located between Abingdon and Oxford. Currently, the A34 junction at Lodge Hill is equipped with north-facing slip roads only. The planned enhancements will introduce new south-facing slip roads, aimed at improving connectivity and easing congestion on this key route.
The project further involves the re-provision of a private road, accommodating local access needs affected by the interchange upgrades.
Contact: [email protected]
_______________________________________________________________________
Behind the Bricks: Traditional Masonry at Maplewood Grove
28 April, 1pm-2pm
Join Swift Brickwork Contractors on site at Maplewood Grove for a CIOB site visit exploring traditional masonry construction on a live residential development for Bellway Homes Essex.
Attendees will see firsthand how NHBC quality standards are applied and managed on site, with a guided plot walkthrough, live brickwork demonstration, materials display, and an open Q&A with the Swift site team.
Contact: [email protected]
_______________________________________________________________________
Retrofit Reality Check – Compliance, Capability and the Road to Net Zero
28 April, 1.30pm-4.30pm, Peterborough
The retrofit agenda is accelerating, funding models are shifting, and the Warm Homes Plan is redefining expectations across the sector. Yet delivery on the ground remains complex, pressured and uncertain.
Retrofit Reality Check is a high‑level industry discussion exploring whether current frameworks truly support quality, accountable delivery – or whether they introduce new layers of complexity across the supply chain.
The event brings together policymakers, designers, contractors, coordinators and sustainability leaders for an open conversation on how compliance works in practice; the realities of retrofitting older and occupied buildings; skills shortages and competence gaps; funding uncertainty and policy alignment; and whether the industry’s current trajectory is fit for purpose.
The aim is not just to share theory, but to challenge, sdebate and identify practical next steps, offering a platform for sector leaders to speak frankly and constructively.
Contact: [email protected]
_______________________________________________________________________
Building the Future – East Coast College – Eastern Campus Redevelopment
29 April, 3pm-6pm, Great Yarmouth
Kier Group and the Department for Education invite you to a behind-the-scenes tour of East Coast College, a significant project that will deliver a modern, future-ready learning environment for students and staff.
The scheme includes a 10,000m² new-build facility connected to the existing sports hall, replacing outdated buildings with high-quality, contemporary education spaces. The development is being delivered across six sectional completions. Section one, which provided temporary accommodation, is now complete. Work is currently progressing on section two, the new teaching block, alongside section three, the changing block.
This visit offers valuable insight into the phased project delivery and the opportunity to see large-scale education construction in action. Attendees will be able to connect with industry professionals and gain a deeper understanding of careers and opportunities within the construction sector.
Contact: [email protected]
