UKCW BIRMINGHAM SETS OUT AGENDA FOR A SMARTER, MORE SUSTAINABLE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY
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From AI in construction to supply chain partnerships and the latest thoughts on retrofit, this autumn’s UK Construction Week Birmingham (NEC, 29 September - 1 October) features a packed programme designed to encourage fresh thinking, showcase innovation and support the industry's drive towards a more productive, sustainable future.
Ahead of its return to the NEC, UKCW Birmingham has unveiled The Construction Reset - a new theme designed to tackle the biggest challenges and opportunities shaping the future of the built environment, from improving productivity and scaling industrialised construction to accelerating digital transformation and delivering more sustainable outcomes.
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Structured around three key pillars – Building Better, Building Smarter and Building Responsibly, the three-day event will feature:
● Built-for-purpose sections:
○ Roofing, Cladding & Insulation - A dedicated destination for contractors, installers, specifiers and designers who want to explore the latest innovations in durability, efficiency and weather protection and architectural impact
○ Digitalisation & AI - See how technology, automation, and AI are redefining the way we plan and build
○ Futurebuild Innovation Showcase - New for 2026, bringing together the most innovative products, technologies, materials and solutions transforming the built environment
○ Building & Onsite Safety - Featuring product and systems supporting safer buildings and safer sites
○ Equipment, Tools & Hire - Explore the newest tools and equipment driving productivity
○ Construction Training & Services - Connect with experts in project delivery, compliance, training, and professional support
● Four theatres offering a varied programme of talks and workshops from industry experts and thought leaders:
○ Main Stage - sponsored by Barbour ABI
○ Building Safety and Occupational Safety Stage
○ Building Envelope Stage
○ Digitalisation & AI Stage - sponsored by Zutec
Highlights of seminars and discussions across the show include:
Tuesday 29th September
Main Stage (10.30am – 11.15am)
The Construction Reset: What Needs to Change and What Happens if We Don't? [Build Better]
This session will examine where the industry can unlock growth, improve performance and build a future-ready workforce through innovation, collaboration and new career pathways.
Speakers: Jackie Rigby (Homes England), Saul Humphrey (Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB), Tim Balcon (CITB)
Building Envelope Stage (1.30pm - 2.15pm)
The Retrofit Reset: Beyond Grants to Long Term Delivery
Government grants have played an important role in kickstarting retrofit, but they won't deliver the scale or pace of home upgrades the UK needs on their own. This session explores what comes next.
Speakers: Carl Bairstow (Efficiency North), Rachael Owens (National Retrofit Hub), Sarah Louise Fletcher (Leeds Beckett University)
Wednesday 30th September
Main Stage (11.30am – 12.15pm)
Constructing the Gold Standard: Choosing the Right Framework for Better Supply Chain Partnerships
This panel will explore how the principles of the Construction Excellence Gold Standard are reshaping procurement, moving beyond lowest-price tendering towards fairer risk allocation, earlier supply chain engagement and longer-term collaborative relationships.
Moderator: Alison Nicholl (Head of Constructing Excellence, BRE & DfE)
Speakers: Prof. David Hancock (Construction Director and Infrastructure Practice Lead, His Majesty’s Treasury, Expert Advisory Team & NISTA); Rob Byrnes (Frameworks Director, Vinci Building UK)
Digitalisation & AI Stage (2.30pm - 3.15pm)
The Next Wave of AI in Construction: What Leaders Need to Know Now
AI in construction has moved beyond early experimentation and the pace of change shows no sign of slowing. Andrew Johnson from Okana returns to the AI stage to look ahead at what's coming next: the emerging tools and capabilities set to reshape design, delivery and decision-making, and what leaders need to understand now to stay ahead rather than play catch-up.
Speaker: Andrew Johnson, Learning & Development Lead, BIM Academy
Thursday 1st October
Digitalisation & AI Stage (10.30am - 11.15am)
Winning Work with AI: Smarter Project Lead Research for Construction
This practical session will demonstrate how AI can be used to research project pipelines, analyse planning applications, identify key decision-makers, track specification opportunities and prioritise leads based on project stage, sector and buying signals.
Speakers: Angie Wilkes (Construct Virtual), Faisal Amin (One Peak Partners), Leigh Simpson (Insynth Marketing & ConstructUK), Paul Indinger (Building Radar)
Main Stage (12.30pm – 1.15pm)
AI in Construction: Reimagining How Real Applications Deliver Real Results [Build Smarter]
This session will showcase real examples of AI being used to automate repetitive tasks, improve document and data management, accelerate design coordination, enhance project controls and increase productivity across construction workflows.
Speakers: Paul Beeston (Partner - Head of Industry and Service Insight, Rider Levett Bucknall); Meghan Davies (Co-Founder, Cammina)
Another key show feature, the Build Connect Lounge will be a chance to join focused partner-led conversations, workshops and clinics, The Build Connect Lounge will be more than a networking area. It will act as a live event hub where key partners can host their own roundtables, workshops and clinics aligned to the Construction Reset themes.
Elsewhere, the Client & Buyer Exchange will be where visitors will be able meet buyers, specifiers and project teams, and turn conversations into commercial opportunities. It will be a more focused and purposeful evolution of traditional meet-the-buyer activity.
Sponsored by Barbour ABI, Zutec, Wyre, HotelPlanner and Build Warranty, UKCW Birmingham will feature over 250 leading brands; 200 speakers and over 150 hours of CPD accredited seminars across four stages, alongside a series of built-for-purpose sections. Architect, TV presenter and UKCW ambassador, George Clarke will officially open the show and host the Main Stage discussions on Day One.
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