Constructing Excellence

Midlands Construction Summit and Expo
2016-09-27 | Ricoh Arena, Phoenix Way, Coventry, CV6 6GE
Returning for 2016, the Midlands Construction Summit is to be held on the 27 September 2016 at the Ricoh Arena, Coventry and for the first time the Summit will be held alongside the Midlands Construction Expo.
This year the Summit is to be based around three interlinked key themes: Image, Skills and Productivity.
The skills shortage in the construction sector has become a major issue which looks set to continue for some time to come. Industry leaders have begun to consider and debate the reasons behind this ongoing crisis. Three major and recurring themes are emerging – a negative industry perception which impedes on the recruitment of a skilled labour force and in turn, reduces in productivity.
A lack of training in the industry has been viewed as a major barrier in tackling productivity, with the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) claiming that one of the solutions to resolving the skills shortage is a long-term training programme designed to engage with students from an early age and highlight the breath of opportunities within the construction sector.
Attracting more women into the industry is another area for focused engagement but a clear strategy needs to be developed to resolve issues that have been highlighted. UCATT reports that women make up only 11% of the construction workforce, with just 1% of women onsite. Statistics also show that more than half (51%) of women in construction commented on a lack of promotion prospects; lower pay and feeling isolated in the workplace.
Gender is not the only image issue facing the industry, as following mass redundancies in the recession; figures indicate that many are simply not willing to return to construction.
These three themes are all interlinked and have a domino effect.
A poor image of the industry creates a skills shortage as the young and upcoming generation are seeking more appealing career prospects. This results in poor productivity as the industry lacks the workers and resources to keep up with demand.
The Midlands Construction Summit will explore how we can approach and potentially resolve these issues.
Tickets cost just £95 plus vat and include; entry into the Midlands Construction Summit, entry into the Midlands Construction Expo, parking, lunch and refreshments throughout.
For more information, or to book your place, visit: www.midlandsconstructionsummit.co.uk

Construction Industry Summit
2016-09-20 09:00 - 2016-09-21 15:45 UTC
The Construction Industry Summit is being put together by the industry for the industry, working with government, to ensure that it is fit for the future.
Find out more on their website: http://www.constructionindustrysummit.com/

Collaborative Working Champions meeting
2016-09-15 10:00 - 15:00, 2016-06-22 10:00 - 15:00

Procurement Theme Group meeting
2016-09-13 11:00 - 13:00, 2016-06-02 13:00 - 16:00

Nuclear Theme Group
2016-09-08 10:00 - 15:00

CIOB Members Forum and Conference
2016-07-10 08:00 - 2016-07-14 17:00 | Grand Hyatt Hotel, Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong
WHAT IS THE CIOB MEMBERS’ FORUM?

Members’ Forum brings leading construction professionals together from across the globe to represent the interests of all members.

The five day event aims to provide delegates with a number of activities in order to develop strategy, build working relationships and plan the future of the Institute.

The highlight of Members’ Forum is the celebration of the inauguration of the new President.

The inauguration will occur at a dinner open to all, held this year in Grand Hyatt Hotel, Hong Kong. Tickets are on sale now.

For more detail please visit the CIOB website here.

Joint briefing on the Modern Slavery Act with the Institute for Human Rights and Business, CIOB and BRE - 1st July 2016, 9am-12.30pm
2016-07-01 09:00 - 12:30 | AECOM, Aldgate Tower, 2 Leman Street, , London, E1 8FA, United Kingdom
The UK Modern Slavery Act passed into law on 26th March 2015. The Act prompted those working in many industry sectors to re-evaluate their business models and working practices. Progressive companies understand that protecting rights not only protects their workforces but also protects their business.
A number of engineering and construction businesses, along with professional bodies and trade associations representing the sector have been at the forefront of efforts to understand, educate and engage the wider industry with issues such as forced labour, trafficking and the exploitation of casual and migrant workers
The Chartered Institute of Building, The Building Research Establishment, Constructing Excellence and the Institute for Human Rights and Business are co-hosting a roundtable event to provide an opportunity for representatives from the engineering / construction sector to discuss the challenges they face in promoting and safeguarding workers rights within the industry.

9.00-9.30
Registration and Networking

9.30
Don Ward: Constructing Excellence – Introduction

9.45
Modern Slavery Video – Stronger Together

10.00
Neill Wilkins: IHRB – Forced Labour, Trafficking and the UK Modern Slavery Act

10.15
Eddie Tuttle: CIOB – Slavery Report and Toolkit

10.30
Coffee

10.50
Nigel McKay: BRE – Ethical Labour Standard

11.05
William Rook: IHRB – Developments in the Gulf

11.15
General Discussion – Facilitated by IHRB

12.15
Don Ward – Conclusions and next steps

12.30
Close

The roundtable is open to representatives from the engineering and construction industry and associated sectors. Space is limited and pre-registration to attend is required.
For more details or to register attendance, please contact Deborah Hynes at
Deborah.Hynes@constructingexcellence.org.uk.
Event flyer

Accelerating Innovation in the Construction Industry: HOW it’s done
2016-06-30 10:00 - 17:30 | Turner and Townsend Office, One New Change, London, EC4M 9AF, United Kingdom
One-day seminar for leaders in the construction industry
Is “innovation” merely a new century buzz word or an essential success factor in Construction today?

Innovation capabilities are key
While ‘innovation’ may often be overused, it is undeniable that organisations with robust innovation capabilities will advance more swiftly and more readily to find success in increasingly competitive markets.
Competition and new technologies are accelerating the pace of change in the construction industry. A Google search for “innovation in construction” returns an astonishing 358,000,000 results.
Thinking and acting differently
Against this backdrop, enhancing innovation capabilities will give organisations visibility of new strategic options, improved problem solving skills, more efficient product/service development, better marketing, new business models, etc. Once an organisation can think and act differently, it can also compete more effectively and successfully in their market.
Yet many leaders ask, “HOW can that be done?”
The SIT story – an introduction
Join us on June 30th for a one-day hands-on seminar introducing a proven innovation method that has much to offer our industry. Systematic Inventive Thinking is a method that helps organisations move from a state of periodically “doing innovation”, to one where the organisation “innovates in what it does”.
SIT is a well published (international Best Seller, Harvard Business Review, etc.) method taught at leading business schools around the world (e.g. London, Ashridge, Manchester, Harvard, Wharton, etc.). Their approach to innovation is pragmatic and results oriented; over 950 companies around the world have learned to apply SIT, with great effect.
What you’ll learn
The seminar focuses on introducing participants to this proven and effective method of using innovation (SIT) to think and act differently. Participants will experiment, using real challenges they face in construction today, and see that innovation (SIT) can make a real difference in a wide range of situations. Finally, we will explore initial steps to make systematic innovation a reality for your company.
How to book
To book your place please visit then EventBrite page for the event here. Places are £500 plus VAT for Constructing Excellence members.

Digital Construction (formerly BIM) Theme Group Meeting
2016-06-28 02:00 - 17:00 | Trowers & Hamlins, 3 Bunhill Row, London, EC1Y 8YZ

ECI Conference 2016: Unlocking Capital Project Value
2016-06-16 09:00 - 2016-06-17 17:00 | London Heathrow Marriott Hotel, Bath Rd, Hayes, UB3 5AN
Constructing Excellence members can attend the ECI conference at ECI member rates. For more detail and to book please visit their website.

Constructing Excellence Members' Forum June 2016
2016-06-08 13:00 - 17:00 | University of Westminster, 35 Marylebone Rd, Marylebone, London, NW1 5LS, United Kingdom
Purpose
This Members’ Forum will focus on engagement between the industry, universities and colleges. The half-day event is open to national members of Constructing Excellence and anyone in FE or HE who wishes to engage in the debate and subsequent work programme.
In 2013 we held a similar event which was attended by 19 different universities and 25 CE member companies. A joint vision for academia and industry was proposed as follows:
“A dynamic sector with a culture of innovation featuring a ready interchange of access, knowledge and ideas for and from research, modern fit-for-purpose curriculum content, and a quality pool of talent for the industry.”
We look forward to an interesting afternoon and hope as many members and university/FE people as possible will be able to attend.
Members’ Steering Group
Please note that in the morning we will have a meeting of our members steering group. Each member is entitled to nominate a rep to attend these meetings, they are not a closed shop and new people are welcome at any time. The meetings are always in the morning of the forums (i.e. 3 per year) from 10am till 12, and are where we develop and direct our work programme to add value for members. Please contact the office if you would like to attend or to be included in the distribution list for future meetings.

Members’ Forum Agenda

Welcome and Introductions – Don Ward, Chief Executive
Perspectives from industry (Tim Embley, ‎Group Innovation & Knowledge Manager, Costain) and Professor David Dernie, Dean of the Faculty of Architecture and the Built Environment, University of Westminster
Breakout session on adding value through collaboration between industry, HE and FE
Bridget Bartlett, Deputy CEO, CIOB
Panel Discussion
Feedback and action planning
Murray Rowden, CE Chairman

Breakout session ‘How should leading industry players, HE and FE collaborate better around research, education, careers/employment and enterprise’
Prior to the afternoon’s breakout session, a paper will be circulated to all attendees to stimulate ideas. In the breakout session mixed groups (from industry, FE and HE) will be invited to discuss ideas and develop an agenda and action plan for the next 12-24 months.
To attend please email deborah.hynes@constructingexcellence.org.uk. You are also welcome to invite your own contacts in HE and FE.

Building Pathways 2016
2016-06-08 00:00 - 16:00 | The Court House, Barton Road, Worsley, Salford, M28 2PB
Could you help unleash the potential of disengaged, disaffected young people to fill the construction industry skills gap?
There is a 200,000 shortfall in the construction workforce and there almost a million young people not in education, employment or training.
A potential solution is to give opportunities to disengaged young people to train for and / or become employed in the construction industry.
Does it work?
Not in all cases, but when it does the results are amazing!
The 2015 Building Pathways event focussed on how third sector organisations prepared young people for the world of work. This year’s event demonstrates how the construction industry is working in partnership with their supply chains and local organisations to employ and train the “workforce of the future”.
The next Building Pathways event will be held on Wednesday 8th June, between 12.00 and 16.00 hours at The Court House, Barton Road, Worsley, Salford M28 2PB.
Speakers include young people who have had the opportunity to get into construction, organisations that have supported them and construction companies, both large and small, who are working together to create the workforce of the future.
If you would like to attend, please contact howard@ybuk.org to book your place.

Education Matters in Construction
2016-05-26 08:30 - 13:00 | BRE Innovation Park, Bucknalls Lane, Watford, WD25 9XX
Constructing Excellence is delighted to support this event having been closely involved in its development:
Why education is essential to fill the skills gap in construction and a guide to making the most of the new apprenticeship landscape.
Details :
A half-day conference with prominent speakers from the construction industry and education. The aim of the day is for delegates to hear:

why education is critical to closing the skills gap in construction
how to make sense of the latest education / apprenticeship landscape

including the launch of a groundbreaking Construction Management Degree from the University of Hertfordshire

how to benefit from generous government funding

And there will be an option to tour BRE’s acclaimed Innovation Centre.
A flyer for the event can be found here.
Book on the BRE website

Asset Management Theme Group
2016-05-25 14:00 - 17:00 | Trowers & Hamlins, 3 Bunhill Row, London, EC1Y 8YZ
1.30pm Networking
2-3pm CE asset management report launch – John O’Brien, Asset Management Chair, Founder and MD LCMB
3-3.30pm Megatrends in built assets – John Raspin, Partner, Energy & Environment, Frost & Sullivan
3.30-4pm Whole Life Performance + (WLP) project overview – Professor Rajat Gupta, Professor of Sustainable Architecture and Climate Change, Director of the Oxford Institute for Sustainable Development, Oxford Brookes University
4-5pm Defining and agreeing CE asset management workgroup agenda for 2016/17 – facilitated discussion
5pm AOB, dates of next meeting and close
Read more about this meeting here.
To attend this meeting please contact colm.quinn@constructingexcellence.org.uk

The South West Construction Summit
2016-05-20
Taking place on 20 May 2016 at the Bristol Marriott Hotel – City Centre, the South West Construction Summit will help the South West built environment sector seize business and networking opportunities in a lively and structured way.
The Summit will bring together the regional construction industry and its supply chain to explore opportunities, major projects, client commitments and procurement best practice, including; skills, image, value and competency in areas around BIM and offsite construction.
Speakers include:

Keynote: George Ferguson, Mayor of Bristol
David Sutton, EDF Energy
Chris Stevens, Bouygues UK
Deborah Rowland, Ministry of Justice
Ian Knight, Homes and Communities Agency
Shane Paull, McCarthy & Stone
John Rich, SRA Architects
Andrew Covell, Faithful + Gould
Matt Messias, Atrium School
Steve Ward, 6ix Consulting
Steve Clark, Suiko
Emma Hewitt, Plymouth City Council
Ed Coley, Plymouth City Council

The Summit will be chaired by Andrew Carpenter – CEO of Constructing Excellence South West – who will capture and feedback issues that arise on the day.
This event in the industry calendar is already proving very popular and there are less than 50 delegate places remaining!
For more information on the Summit, or to book your place, visit: www.constructionsummitsw.co.uk
It is set to be a busy day for the South West construction sector as the summit will be swiftly followed that evening by the South West Built Environment Awards 2016 at the same venue.
The South West Built Environment Awards are recognised as being in a class of their own, celebrating best practice combined with great entertainment and networking. The extremely popular event will be attended by representatives of local and regional companies together with senior figures in the industry.
For more information on the Awards visit www.buildswawards.org.uk

The Government Construction Strategy Debate
2016-05-10 18:00 - 21:00 | The Hogg Lecture Theatre, University of Westminster, 35 Marylebone Road , London, NW1 5LS
“The Government Construction Strategy will influence positive change in the construction industry”
Don Ward and Dr. Stephen Gruneberg
The Government Construction Strategy 2016-2020 for the current parliament was issued in March this Year. Don Ward, chief executive Constructing Excellence, will present the case for the Strategy and argue that it will influence positive change in the construction industry. Dr. Stephen Gruneberg, Reader in Construction Economics at the University of Westminster, is the author of the Alternative Construction Strategy, will argue against the strategy and present the case for alternative priorities for the industry.
Book early to avoid disappointment. Make your booking as either a Constructing Excellence Member or a Non-Member via EventBrite. Click here to go to the Eventbrite Booking Page.

Acivico Passivhaus Symposium
2016-05-10 12:30 - 17:00 | The Council House, Victoria Square, Birmingham, B1 1BB
Background to the event ::
Passivhaus is now recognised as the world’s leading standard on low energy building. By prioritising fabric it delivers buildings that are more than 90% energy efficient than current UK building regulations. Many European countries have this standard as their minimum requirements and many exciting examples are now coming to the forefront within the UK industry too.
Benefits ::
In the current climate where council’s resources are stretched and ever increasing demands are made on its services – high buildings operational costs can be an unwanted liability in the long run. As Passivhaus gains more popularity, capital costs are coming down and the evidence that the model is able to deliver what it promises mounts, allowing the Council and other organisations to reduce carbon emissions while saving on operational costs.
The Event ::
This learning symposium is being convened by Acivico designer and Passivhaus expert Nidhi Shah and will be hosted by Don Ward, Chief Executive of Construction Excellence.
Join us at this event to learn, debate and share ::

Hear presentations from Industry experts and Passivhaus pioneers about their experiences of delivering economically sustainable and energy efficient developments.
Ask questions to a panel of experts who will be demystifying the Passivhaus elements which deliver energy efficient, healthy and climate ready developments. Q+A hosted by Don Ward.
Learn the details of the actual cost savings and real benefits delivered by taking this approach. With some of the headlines including….

‘90% savings on energy consumption in housing’
‘70% savings on energy consumption in commercial properties’
‘Building costs at parity with current building costs’

Meet and mix with industry professionals and suppliers at the networking lunch and marketplace.

Who should attend? ::
If you are a Built Environment professional in both the private and public sectors – including Architects, Planners, Sustainability Professionals, Surveyors, Construction Industry, Housing and Commercial Development Delivery sector, energy managers, builders, housing associations, researchers and students this session will be of interest to you.
This event will set the strategy, benefits case and delivery mechanism for your future built asset development programmes.
Light refreshments available
To book visit the event’s EventBrite page:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/acivico-passivhaus-symposium-tickets-22864148283

Enabling BIM through collaborative procurement & Contracts – In the UK & Australia
2016-05-06 09:00 - 18:00
This event will be exploring how procurement and contracts have a direct impact on the success of BIM. For more detail visit the event website.

Nuclear Theme Group
2016-04-28 10:00 - 15:00 | Constructing Excellence in Wales, 2nd Floor, Longcross Court, 47 Newport Road, Cardiff, CF24 0AD

National Clubs Day
2016-04-07 00:00 - 17:00 | AECOM, Aldgate Tower, 2 Leman Street, , London, E1 8FA, United Kingdom

BIM Theme Group
2016-03-23 11:00 - 13:00 | Leeds

Nuclear Theme Group meeting
2016-03-16 10:00 - 15:00

The Producers - CESW Adopt a School Campaign
2016-03-14 19:45 - 2016-03-19 23:30 | Merlin Theatre, Bath Road, Frome, Somerset, BA11 2HG, United Kingdom
The biggest challenge facing the UK construction industry currently is one of shortage of skilled workers, particularly on site where image of the industry is poor and also in construction management where little is known outside of the industry on the career options available. This is particularly true in the South West of England where growth in this sector will outstrip the rest of the UK.
In late 2014 the then Government’s Chief Construction Adviser, Peter Hansford, visited the South West with CESW CEO, Andrew Carpenter, and launched an ‘Adopt a School’ campaign. The idea is for construction related companies to ‘buddy up’ with their local schools to both improve the image of construction and promote it as a good career opportunity. CESW has taken up the challenge and through its Marketing & Communications Forum, chaired by Carol Heneghan of Halsall Construction in Peasedown St John, it has been working to make Peter’s dream a reality.
Through initiatives promoting successful school programmes that are already in place such as the ‘Class of your Own’ initiative, a GCSE programme providing a recognized qualification in the built environment, and the CITB Construction Ambassador scheme CESW members can have an even greater impact on changing perceptions of the industry. CESW is now looking to raise funds to support its own initiative to find eight volunteers from each of its nine ’Best Practice’ clubs to become CITB Ambassadors and promote and facilitate take-up of the Class of Your Own’ programme. Tom Green of SLR Consulting in Bradford on Avon has been providing valuable supporting material by mapping out potential schools and construction buddies particularly targeting schools with focus on STEM subjects.
Andrew’s son, Tom, appeared on BBC One TV’s ‘The Voice’ in January 2015 and in September 2015 Andrew organized a couple of concerts involving his son to help raise the much needed funds and also associate the industry with something more contemporary and therefore hopefully attract young people to enquire about what construction can offer. So successful were these concerts Andrew is taking the idea of associating the construction industry with the of the world of entertainment a step further inasmuch as he now intends to organise a fully staged production of The Producers from 14th – 19th March 2016 at the Merlin Theatre in Frome where he is a Board Member. Andrew says he can’t run marathons or climb mountains but he can put on a good show! He is no stranger to these ‘off the wall’ ideas and famously invited the actual puppets (and actors) from the children’s TV programme Rainbow to present at a business conference in Bristol in 2001 on the subject of supply chain management rather than having an architect and contractor present! The move did the trick as fifteen years on the sector is still taking about the event!
Andrew has invited a director, musical director, choreographer and talented cast & crew from the Frome and Bath area to make his idea a reality. It’s a show he’s wanted to do for many years and so thought he’s put his love of this Mel Brooks’ musical to good use by creating an activity to raise more funds and awareness for the CESW Adopt a School campaign. The production will see NVB Architects of Frome officially ‘buddy up’ with Frome College and the icing on the cake was when Martin Roberts, of BBC TV’s Homes under the Hammer fame joined the CESW Bath Club and agreed to be the patron for the CESW Adopt a School campaign. He will be visiting the Merlin Theatre on Monday 14th March to host the first night performance and make the Frome College/NVB Architects relationship ‘official’.
Martin Roberts is one of the UK’s most respected Property, Travel and Lifestyle TV presenters and journalists. Over the past 25 years he has appeared on BBC TV and Radio, ITV, CNN and Satellite TV Worldwide. He was a regular presenter on ITV’s top rated travel show ‘Wish You Were Here..?’ for 8 years and the travel editor of ‘Woman’ magazine for 15 years.
For over 12 years he has written and presented the hit BBC property auction show ‘Homes under the Hammer’, which is shown on BBC1, UKTV Home and TV Channels Worldwide and is now in its 20th series. He is a respected UK and Overseas Property expert, appearing as expert speaker on programmes such as ‘BBC Breakfast’, ‘BBC News 24’, ‘Sky Sunrise’, ‘Alan Titchmarsh Show’ the Jeremy Vine Show and BBC Radios 2, 4 & 5 Live.
Martin is also Author of the best-selling book Teach Yourself: Making Money from Property and the children’s book series The Villes
To book go to the CESW website: http://cesw.org.uk/events/view?eventid=101

Collaborative Working Champions / Procurement joint meeting
2016-03-08 10:00 - 15:00

Improving Value Through a Framework Alliance
2016-02-25 14:00 - 18:00
Don Ward is speaking at this King’s College event, which is free to attend, further details including how to register to attend can be found in the following form:
Booking Form

Sustainability Theme Group meeting on "The Circular Economy in Construction"
2016-02-25 10:30 - 15:00 | Saint-Gobain Innovation Centre, 95 Great Portland St, London, W1W 7NY

CE South West "Never Waste A Good Crisis" Event
2016-02-23 09:00 - 13:00 | Environment Agency, Horizon House, Deanery Rd, Bristol, BS1 5AH
Taking ‘best practice’ from two South West disaster areas in 2014.
Never waste a good crisis event flyer
Booking link

Constructing Excellence Member Forum - The Payment Minefield
2016-02-10 12:30 - 17:00 | Pinsent Mason, 30 Crown Place, Earl Street, London, EC2A 4ES , United Kingdom
Payment is simultaneously essential to business performance and one of the biggest and most emotive industry problems. This members forum will draw on members experience and industry expert views to get under the skin of this perennial challenge, both to understand its impacts and debate potential solutions.
This Forum will;

Explore the drivers that dictate when payments occur
Consider how a more transparent and collaborative industry might address the underlying issues
Ask what role new technologies that digitise payments could play in addressing common payment issues
Review the potential for alternative funding sources and how this might change the landscape
Consider the impacts on different industry players and seek to identify actions that might be taken

Agenda
Welcome and Introductions Don Ward, Chief Executive
Expert Session 1

Cliff Jones, Procure 21 – Clients perspective on creating a level playing field for the supply chain
Rob Driscol, Head of Commercial and Legal at B&ES – Impact of late payment on trades and thoughts on payment mechanisms
Colin Hardman, Associate Director restructuring and recovery at Smith & Williamson – The necessity of cash flow for business health

Panel discussion/debate
The Proposition: “Prompt payment makes business sense”
Group syndicates

G1 “Why is it necessary to delay payments?”
G2 “Why are prompt payments essential?”

Expert Session 2

Madoc Batcup, CE Funding & Finance Theme Group Leader – Funder interests and alternative funding/funders
Rob Taylor, Environment Agency – The benefits and challenges of Project Bank Accounts
Paul/Andy, Textura – The benefits of transparency

Panel discussion/debate
Proposition Review Feedback

G1 Summary – the need to delay payment
G2 Summary – the need to pay promptly

Plenary discussion – vote on the proposition – identify takeaway actions
This event is open to all national members of Constructing Excellence. To attend please email deborah.hynes@constructingexcellence.org.uk
