THE CONSTRUCTION industry needs to capitalise on the collaborative atmosphere created by this year’s MIPIM in order to meet the key challenges it faces, according to Andrew Carpenter, chief executive of Constructing Excellence Midlands. Speaking in the wake of this year’s event – which was attended by more than 20,000
ENABLING infrastructure clients to deliver improved outcomes by collaboratively working faster, greener, safer and smarter, Constructing Excellence Midlands has launched its Infrastructure Forum, enhancing the visibility and perspective of infrastructure activities in the region. The forum aims to assemble businesses from client organisations and supply chains in the Midlands, modernising
Building safety, hitting net zero targets, and the skills shortage were at the forefront of a major event for the South West’s construction industry. Constructing Excellence South West (CESW) hosted the CESW Construction Summit at Sandy Park, Exeter, and industry leaders and professionals gathered to discuss how the sector must
LEADING NAMES ANNOUNCED AS SPEAKERS FOR CE HOUSING SUMMIT REPRESENTATIVES from some of the housing industry’s biggest names have been announced as speakers at one of the Midlands’ leading construction events. Speakers from Cundall, Barratt Developments, Stewart Milne Group and the Welsh government will present at June’s CE Midlands Housing
THE CONSTRUCTION industry needs to capitalise on the collaborative atmosphere created by this year’s MIPIM in order to meet the key challenges it faces, according to Andrew Carpenter, chief executive of Constructing Excellence Midlands. Speaking in the wake of this year’s event – which was attended by more than 20,000 delegates from around the world – Carpenter says that while a collaborative spirit is alive and well in Cannes, it risks being wasted if not capitalised on at home. “MIPIM has always been an ideal opportunity to meet the movers and shakers,” said Carpenter. “You can speak with the whole supply chain in one fell swoop, as well as some of the major policy creators and decision makers. “The event is the nucleus of the collaborative culture that we believe the construction industry needs to ensure it moves forward at the required pace. However, it is how that is followed up that will make the key difference when it comes to creating a truly integrated supply chain. “It’s our industry’s version of ‘a dog is for life, not just for Christmas’. It’s all well and good doing and saying the right things at MIPIM, but if that collaborative approach gets left at passport control on the way back into the UK, it’s just lip service and not something that is going to drive us forward.” Carpenter – who is also chief executive of the Structural Timber Association – hosted a breakfast event during MIPIM, which discussed the use of timber as part of the government’s push for net zero. He believes this is a key example of where collaboration is needed in order for the ambitious targets to be met. “With an eye on 2050 as the target for decarbonising all sectors of the UK economy, it is clear that this is not going to be anywhere near feasible for the construction industry if we aren’t working in lockstep. “We as an industry are one of the biggest polluters on the planet, and we are at a crossroads in terms of how we tackle that. “This is a key conversation that Constructing Excellence is having across its regions. We recently refined our theme groups – at which we discuss and define industry challenges – to create a dedicated workstream that focuses on strategic and collaborative research into how the climate crisis can be addressed. Conversations like this are a vital catalyst for continuous, long-term industry improvement, which is what Constructing Excellence is all about. “We truly feel that the construction industry is at a critical juncture, and it’s our responsibility to make sure that we move forward together in the right direction.” If you or your organisation would like to be involved or to find out more, please contact Constructing Excellence Midlands at info@cemidlands.org.
ENABLING infrastructure clients to deliver improved outcomes by collaboratively working faster, greener, safer and smarter, Constructing Excellence Midlands has launched its Infrastructure Forum, enhancing the visibility and perspective of infrastructure activities in the region. The forum aims to assemble businesses from client organisations and supply chains in the Midlands, modernising the methods of industry collaboration and utilising digital tools for knowledge sharing to drive efficiency and improved outcomes. Andrew Carpenter, chief executive of Constructing Excellence Midlands, who has created the Infrastructure Forum, said: “The forum will present a fantastic opportunity for the Midlands infrastructure community to coordinate responses to key industry challenges and collaborate on projects and programmes, ensuring continued infrastructure advancement that is pre-emptive of the demands and opportunities for the region. “Infrastructure requires a collective planning approach where visibility of the opportunity to collaborate is essential, whether that’s rail, aviation, utilities, roads or power. An infrastructure forum will provide an opportunity to work smarter with collaborative efficacy and prove how we can provide ‘more for less’, while improving safety and sustainability outcomes.” Mark Lyddon, Midlands regional infrastructure lead at Turner & Townsend, said: “I’m delighted to be involved in the conception of the Constructing Excellence Midlands Infrastructure Forum. The Midlands boasts leading global pioneering minds in infrastructure development, working on world class projects and programmes. This forum will enable clients and the entire supply chains to utilise the power of their combined expertise and experience. “Consultation and collaboration through this platform will help us drive improvement in our industry and deliver better outcomes for customers and the environment. With the current volume of infrastructure construction activity and projects planned to take place in the Midlands region, we must create an improved way of working across clients and programmes.” Alec Gillham, business engagement manager for DIGI-RAIL at the University of Birmingham, said: “DIGI-RAIL is thrilled to have been asked to participate in the newly-established Constructing Excellence Infrastructure Forum. Currently working with some of the UK’s most innovative and technologically advanced rail businesses, we are keen to explore the opportunities that the forum will present for collaboration around the themes of connected transportation and infrastructure. “As we transition towards the creation of the public body Great British Railways (GBR), we are experiencing levels of investment and technology adoption in UK railways not seen for a generation. It is our firm belief the forum will provide a valuable platform to engage with stakeholders working within advanced transportation and infrastructure sectors to reimagine the UK passenger travel experience for the future.” If you or your organisation would like to be involved or to find out more, please contact Constructing Excellence Midlands at info@cemidlands.org.
Building safety, hitting net zero targets, and the skills shortage were at the forefront of a major event for the South West’s construction industry. Constructing Excellence South West (CESW) hosted the CESW Construction Summit at Sandy Park, Exeter, and industry leaders and professionals gathered to discuss how the sector must come together and work collaboratively to tackle the current challenges. The jam-packed summit included an impressive line-up of speakers who all took centre stage to highlight the existing challenges facing the construction industry and how to tackle them head-on. Gary Townsend Vila, BSF Charter Strategic Lead, talked about the Building Safety Charter and its commitment to creating safer buildings and safer homes, and how this requires an urgent and positive cultural shift and behaviour change. While Ian Nicholson, Value Delivery Lead at Construction Innovation Hub, discussed the recently developed Value toolkit designed to help the industry drive better social, environmental and economic outcomes through value-based decision making. CEO of CESW and board member of CLC Construct Zero, Andrew Carpenter, also revealed the CLC Construct Zero nine priorities and the 28 detailed metrics needed to reach the net zero goals in construction. “It was good to see so many people come together to discuss the future of construction,” comments Andrew Carpenter. “This is such a pivotal time for the industry both regionally and nationally, as there’s many challenges to overcome but equally, huge opportunities to take advantage of. “The sector has a history of being fragmented but now is the time to work collaboratively to tackle the key issues, like building safety and net zero targets, so we can make positive changes for the future.” CESW leads the change agenda in construction regionally as part of Construction Excellence’s national mission to improve the industry’s performance and produce a better built environment. For more information about the Construction Summit and to access all speaker presentations, which are available to download, visit: https://constructingexcellencesw.org.uk/event/cesw-construction-summit/
LEADING NAMES ANNOUNCED AS SPEAKERS FOR CE HOUSING SUMMIT REPRESENTATIVES from some of the housing industry’s biggest names have been announced as speakers at one of the Midlands’ leading construction events. Speakers from Cundall, Barratt Developments, Stewart Milne Group and the Welsh government will present at June’s CE Midlands Housing Summit, organised by Constructing Excellence Midlands and sponsored by Shakespeare Martineau. The summit’s keynote presentation will be delivered by Colette McCann, Birmingham City Council’s acting assistant director of housing development, who will detail the city’s 2040 plan for affordable housing, as well as introducing how attendees can get themselves involved in the programme. Also leading the lineup is Cundall’s Richard Twinn, who will detail how Future Homes Standards will affect those involved in the provision of housing going forward. The event – which takes place virtually on Wednesday, June 23 – gives attendees chance to get further insight into some of the key issues facing the industry, such as the Future Homes Standard, carbon net zero and the growing role of modern methods of construction and modular homes. Andrew Carpenter, chief executive of Constructing Excellence Midlands, said: “We’re delighted to have secured such a stellar lineup for this year’s Housing Summit, which promises to provide a real insight into how both the public and private sector are working to tackle the UK’s housing crisis. Constructing Excellence Midlands is working in partnership with Birmingham City Council in helping them achieve their ambitious housing targets. Colette McCann, acting assistant director of housing development at Birmingham City Council said: “CE Midlands provides a unique opportunity and platform that brings together a wide range of members within the construction industry. “I am very much looking forward to attending the CE Midlands Housing Summit to discuss innovative ideas and solutions to the challenges our sector faces, particularly in the delivery of affordable housing.” Andrew Carpenter continued: “As we come out of the other side of the pandemic, housing has to be one of the critical areas of the construction industry. With house prices continuing to rise, affordable, sustainable housing is coming to the fore more than ever before, and we have pulled together a speaker lineup that reflects this.” To register to attend the CE Midlands Housing Summit, click here
