UK Construction Week comes to London next month – come along and explore, alongside other professionals, how new behaviours and best practice are driving a true culture shift across the industry
The country’s largest live show for the construction industry UK Construction Week (UKCW), will be running at the London ExCeL centre on 3-5 May and will tackle the fundamental issue of culture change in the construction industry.
More than 25,000 people across all construction professions and trades are expected to come together to explore how the industry implements new behaviours, best practice, and a true cultural shift in how it builds for the future.
Nathan Garnett, UKCW event director, says: “We’re really excited to bring UK Construction Week to London. 2022 is the year to focus on how we achieve the systemic changes we’ve been discussing for some time and to share the learning from the organisations who have already made a strong start. We need 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.
“As always with this event, there’s also so much to see, with many displays, exhibitors, shows and products you won’t find anywhere else. It will be a chance to celebrate the sector’s achievements and 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.”
Day one will include updates on the 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.
With even more packed into this year’s offering, UKCW London will consist of over 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.
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.
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.
CEMEX is sponsoring the Infrastructure Hub which will bring expert 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 10-15 years.
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, antimicrobial 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 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 Alliance 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 their Future Series of specialist CPD sessions and will be holding the COINS Grand Challenge 2022, which is free to enter, aimed at kickstarting 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.
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 at UKCW London, with the winner crowned at UKCW Birmingham on 4-6 October at the NEC.
Another set of awards to be announced at UKCW London in May will be the Fix Radio Tradesperson of the Year awards for the country’s leading and most innovative tradesmen and women. The winners will be chosen by a panel of industry experts and announced at a ceremony hosted by Clive Holland. Nominations close on 31 March.
UKCW will run alongside co-located events Concrete Expo (3-4 May), the Offsite Show (3-5 May), and Grand Designs Live (30 April-8 May), as well as industry conferences Future of Work in Construction (4 May) and REA’s Heating Conference: Decarbonising Buildings (5 May).
Free registration to UK Construction Week London is now open with one entry badge also providing access to the Offsite Show, Concrete Expo and Grand Designs Live.
Download the free UKCW app and book one-to-one appointments with delegates and exhibitors.
