Agenda

It's no longer enough to have a diversity and inclusion policy without reviewing company culture. It is not enough to have recruitment quotas without thinking of retention. Hear from a disruptive leader that is taking this cause to the next level to showcase how D&I provide a real opportunity for business growth.

Construction is in the tsunami of change, from the digital transformation to the gender pay gap reporting. Changes are happening at a radical pace, so how do you keep ahead of the curve to ensure that your people and business is not only surviving, but thriving in the midst of change. Hear from an experience leader sharing their expertise and unique insight on how to effectively reshape culture to become a hub of inclusive innovation breaking boundaries.

Technology and the wider digital transformation is an inescapable force, advancing through every industry and business. There may have been some resistance and hesitation, however, construction is now in the position where it is being pulled into the digital pathway with no escape. In this session, you’ll hear practical business approaches to understand the opportunities available for our projects and our people.

As the industry recognises the importance, and the value of diversity and inclusion, it’s crucial for the message to be driven from the top to steer the day to day efforts of all managers and employees. In this session, you’ll hear first-hand insight on how you can support women in your business without being their direct manager, as well as create effective diversity groups that have tangible deliverables to elevate your business to the next level.

Key takeaways include:

• Learn how to drive your organization to develop diverse and effective teams
• Learn the importance of cultivating your informal networks
• Learn how to lead all-male teams

Details coming soon...

When Ijeoma (IJ) Samuel, first started out, the burning question on her mind was, “Why would anyone listen to ME?”. It may seem daunting to address the diversity & inclusion challenges in business, or even understand your role in the wider organisational change that is going on. However, in this session, IJ will show you how you can champion diversity when you’re not an expert or you have no credentials — even if you have no idea what to do and how to do it.

Key takeaways include:

• Discover the only credentials you need to start a successful diversity change
• Understand how you can support diversity in the midst of organisational change with skills and knowledge you already have, but might not think are valuable
• Discover my ""What if I were perfect?” technique to uncover multiple diversity initiatives you can kick off quickly in your organisation and start changing the narrative in construction- No Excuses!

In the light of diversity challenges of the construction industry, we need to recognise men as allies being a crucial component of diversity and inclusion efforts. In this session, hear from an empowering leader that will showcase a multitude of ways for you to effectively engage with the males around you.

Key takeaways coming soon...

Details coming soon....

What came first, the bias or the science? Join us for a brief history of the gendered brain, and how neuroscience has affected the way in which males and females are treated throughout their education and professional careers. We will also explore how this does and/or should inform the behaviours and governance of a modern business, especially as we continue to learn more about gender, sex and personal identification.

Key takeaways include: 

• Understand what the latest research shows us about similarities and differences between male and female brains
• Learn how businesses can use research about gender to create a more inclusive working environment
• Understand what is “belonging” and why is it so important for modern organisations

The European construction industry is currently in turbulent times and it doesn’t seem like the tsunami of change is going to slow down any time soon. Brexit, industry regulations and the digital transformation are just a few of the industry challenges we’re facing, but what do these changes mean for our industry and how we work. In this panel, you’ll hear from a variety of successful European leaders discussing how we can continue to push the European industry at the global leader of construction while showcasing how we can continue the plight for greater inclusivity.

As you develop your career either to executive level or more broadly across the sector, it’s essential for a successful professional to have a strong platform of resilience and to continue to grow that as you take on extra challenges, responsibilities and career opportunities. How can you successfully deal with an everchanging environment, unexpected ‘intrusions’ and be unshakeable, take new opportunities, be an excellent role model for others and successfully lead.

Key takeaways include:

• Learn top tips around strategic thinking and how to do it
• Understand how to create your own three-phase plan to be a resilient leader
• Learn how to balance competing demands in your life
  
  

As an industry that creates physical impact with the world around us, can we say we are creating an impact with those around us? In this session, hear from a disrupter sharing their insight and expertise on how you can effectively create long-lasting impact without having the C suite job title

Key takeaways include:

• Learn how to be your own role model in the absence of others.
• Understand how to succeed in an industry which is still new to opening the doors to women
• Learn how to connect with like minded people and work together to support each other throughout your careers

Co-ordination is something that we don't always think as a core skill that enables us to move into areas that may have previously been closed. Co-ordination among projects is crucial when moving into management, and. more importantly, co-ordination among your people. It can be overwhelming from the constant stream of information to employee requests, to client changes. Join this session to uncover steps you can take to elevate your co-ordination so your whole team and project is singing off the same hymn sheet.

Key takeaways coming soon...

With the ever-changing nature of construction projects, it can be challenging to keep your resilience in the face of change. Join this presentation to hear the key steps you can take to create stability when your projects start shaking up and getting a bit rocky. Learn how you can ensure as a professional that your projects and the people around you are fully equipped to adapt to any change that may arise.

Key takeaways coming soon...

With projects consisting of so many parts, from bidding to design to preconstruction to hiring onsite skilled professionals to the audit, it can appear that you are only one part of the wider system. As skills are becoming more blurred with others and new skills needed for the future, an optimum foundation for your future is your business acumen. In this presentation, you’ll hear the core steps you can take to develop your business acumen and how you can realistically translate this into practice.

Key takeaways coming soon...

The path to major projects become more and more illuminated with the variety & sizes of projects we’re seeing across the industry. You may have experience in designing a 200 person office or engineering a 10-mile railroad, but now looking into the world of major projects, What would be the first step you take? In this session, you’ll hear first-hand experiences and insight on how you can take the crucial steps needed to develop yourself to take the leap into major projects.

Key takeaways coming soon...

There are dozens of roles within the industry, from specialised professionals such as engineers, to those with a transferable skillset. If you are an architect or a project manager, it's crucial to understand your current approaches to working to assess where you need further development. The industry has a nature to fall into the "Waterfall", which is one of more traditional approaches to working, which has its own benefits but also has the dangers of working in silos. Natalie & Sophie will be exploring innovation in construction methodology, and how Mace has embraced this with their Jump Factory and High Rise Solutions systems.

Hinkley Point C is one of the major projects being delivered in the UK, and similarly to other large infrastructure projects, encountered challenges in delivering at this scale. Can it be delivered on time? Join this session to hear first-hand experiences of how digital transformation is helping to keep the project on track, and learn about key factors behind successful transformation of construction working practices.

Key takeaways include:

• Learn how to unlock maximum value from digitisation by working at interfaces between functions
• Understand why large-scale of deployments dictates the need for fool-proof low-admin solutions
• See how adoption of change is facilitated by bespoke tools and practical improvements

Back in October 2016 the expansion of Heathrow Airport was approved by Government with plans for construction to start in early 2022. London Heathrow is currently Europe’s busiest airport with approximately 78 million passengers passing through each year. With ambitious expansion plans, how much can we predict its impact on the construction industry and its people, and once the dust settles, what will be its lasting legacy? It’s impossible to predict the future but we can utilise the power and value of diversity to apply focused analysis and drive positive change.

Key takeaways include:

• Hear why it’s an exciting time for the UK Construction industry
• Understand how Heathrow will be drivers of change
• Learn how this approach will provide a new way of thinking
• Develop your understanding of this career defining project
• See how this will put diversity firmly in the driving seat

Join this session to hear how the largest infrastructure project in Britain over recent decades is breaking barriers and pushing the boundaries of what complex projects mean. As a project that is already running late and over budget, it still pushing the norms of what construction & engineering entails which will leave a historical impact on our industry.

Details coming soon....

How to communicate effectively and create a collaborative environment, both on-site and in practice.

Creating a collaborative team; leaving your ego at the door, keeping the whole team focused on a successful outcome by working efficiently as a team and bringing the best out of each other. Discussing her own experiences in overcoming relentless demands and pressure of a live project. Finishing with managing others and building confidence and resilience inside the team.

Key takeaways include:

• Learn strategies on how to create a collaborative team
• Learn proven methods on how to deal with stress
• Understand diverse approaches to manage others

It can be said the way we create build industry relationships is more combative due to the small margins. We're in a high-risk industry with low margins. What does this mean for contractors how will it affect the project team. Join this session to understand how you can turn often combative relationships into a more collaborative one without risking the delivery of the project

We’re getting to the point in the D&I conversation, where we have passed the first major hurdle of understanding the value and importance of prioritising diversity, in all senses, for your business success. However, there is the industry disagreement on HOW we do this. With advocates, grass root organisations, leading contractors, education and government on different pages of the same book, it’s time to have a raw conversation and debate on the multitude of ways we can move towards a more inclusive industry.

As designers, we have a duty to conceptualise and enable the creation of spaces that go beyond aesthetic function. Designing for today’s generation doesn’t suffice anymore. Spaces now, that can easily be converted, to suit use and function of tomorrow. What are the influencing factors that we need to consider. What are the tools we need to use to sensibly shape an environment keeping in mind its scared resources, strengthen its resilience to climate changes and build on flexibility for future generations to come.

Key takeaways include:

• Learn about the foreseeable trends in the UK
• Learn what constitutes as factors in designing a place with universal benefits
• Explore the limitations of today’s construction methods and technology

“Sustainability” is one of the most talked about but least understood terms. During this session you will get a tool-kit that will guide you through the sustainability jungle. We’ll go through “target issues” for sustainable construction such as fossil free machines, deconstruction, reuse to reengage your employees  to uncover the next steps of true sustainability. 

Key takeaways include:

• Learn how we can make people passionate about something they hate
• Understand what “Target issues” for sustainable construction
• Understand the design for deconstruction

The Climate Emergency was declared on the 1st May 2019 with a call for a move to Net Zero for carbon. There is growing appetite for action across industry and society. There is an imperative to act and instil a sense of urgency across our industry and our supply chain. We are re-focusing our ambition and evolving our approach to flood risk management to meet this challenge. The presentation provides headlines on the evolving strategy and our collaborative and innovative approach to the climate emergency.

Key takeaways include:

• Understand how  professionals are responding to the Climate Emergency
• Develop your understanding of the role you need to play
• Learn how to create a plan and share your commitment to making a difference

In this session, we'll hear the connection between how the digital transformation is aiding the industry to gain a better gender parity in the industry. It may seem that we move further away from the people element when discussing technology, but hear how people are needed in the face of the digital transformation and how technology may be the answer to our challenges.

Key takeaways coming soon...

AI offers a wealth of possibilities for the industry, with new tools and technology facilitating exciting ways to collaborate. But in the move towards greater efficiencies and standardisation, will there be a less positive impact on creativity and innovation? Will the role of the architect as creative lead diminish or will the ‘human’ design qualities of intuition, emotion and creativity be of ever greater value? Join this session to hear how we can utilise the upcoming advancements within AI.

It's a well-known and accepted fact, that how you design your office space will influence the kind of working culture you create in your organisation. But as your organisation changes in response to disruptive innovations and digital transformation, have you considered how they will influence and change those working norms?

Jenni will demonstrate how the digital disruption of the construction industry is a people issue, not just a technical one. She will explore the psychology of the digital workplace, and what that means for redefining the culture of our industry in relation to professional identities; motivation; employee well-being; gender equity; belonging, and collaboration. With new thinking about how digital environments can disrupt old cultural habits, you will learn which social and cultural factors need to be included within your own digital strategy, to redefine your own workplace culture during digital transformation.

Key takeaways include:

• Develop an awareness of how digitalisation can influence and change - Learn how you can change construction industry culture and create new opportunities for equity, inclusion, and belonging, using the principles of disruptive psychology for technology.
• Learn which 'people' factors need to be embedded in your organisation's digital strategy to create the right digital work environment.

We all know there is a skills shortage, and we know that diversity in the construction sector needs to improve. In order to build a better Britain, the construction sector needs a wider pool of talent. CITB has a huge amount of work underway in this area, but we need you to join us in making the industry a more diverse and inclusive career choice for everyone. 

Key takeaways include:

• Establishing the current state of play when it comes to women in construction 
• Finding out how CITB is working with employers, training providers and learners to attract a wider pool of talent to the industry 
• Discovering how you can be involved in attracting and retaining talent in the sector

In this session, we’ll analyse the importance of pushing sustainability and the green agenda within your organisation. Hear from a global leader on how we can elevate our industry for the world of tomorrow, and the abundant opportunities that can come from prioritising sustainability.

Details coming soon...

Details coming soon...

As an industry, we are slowly, but surely understanding the overall benefits of implementing flexible working for our employees. However, there is still push back based on industry inertia and a skewed perspectives of WHO benefits from flexible working. Join this workshop, to uncover practical approaches of implementing the right flexible working programmes that ensure your team is not only surviving but thriving on your project.

Key takeaways include:

• Understand what flexible working means in the 21st Century
• Learn how to overcome the common barriers to flexible working
• Learn what practical steps you can take to also make it happen!