Home » Who’s who of experts and thought leaders at UKCW

Who’s who of experts and thought leaders at UKCW

by Simon Foulds

The UK’s largest built environment event, UK Construction Week Birmingham 2025, will be held at the NEC from 30 September to 2 October 2025. This gathering will unite political leaders, senior decision-makers, and digital construction innovators to examine strategies for advancing housing, infrastructure, and sustainability goals essential to the nation. Additionally, the Building Innovation Awards will be hosted at UKCW this year.

Building Innovation Awards

The Building Innovation Awards are back, and this year takes place on the first night of UKCW in Birmingham.

Being held at Birmingham’s National Conference Centre & Motorbike Museum (across the road from the NEC where UKCW is being held) on September 30, the night promises to be one of celebration as the spotlight shines on digital disruptors and offsite trailblazers to materials masterminds and sustainability savants, the people and projects rewriting the rulebook of the built environment.

And if that wasn’t exciting enough, 2025 sees the Building Innovation Awards join forces with UK Construction Week. It’s the ultimate industry double act – one full of ideas, insights, and impact; the other full of sparkle, celebration, and a touch of glamour.

For more information about the Building Innovation Awards or to book your seat, contact tim@ukbusinessevents.co.uk.   

Key themes at UKCW Birmingham

This year’s programme will explore how the industry can meet ambitious government targets while navigating regulatory, workforce, and funding challenges. Core themes include:

  • Digital transformation in construction
  • Decarbonisation and net zero building strategies
  • Workforce development and skills for the future
  • Housing delivery and procurement reform
  • Infrastructure investment and regional growth
  • Health, safety, and wellbeing in the construction sector

High-profile speakers include Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands; David Atkinson, National Head of Land & Development at Willmott Dixon; Emma Wigham, Director of the NHS New Hospital Programme; and Professor Jacqueline Glass, Dean at The Bartlett, UCL. Together, they will lead discussions on the pressing challenges and opportunities shaping construction today.

Speaker highlights

Main stage

  • Midlands United: Driving Growth, Connectivity, and a Greener Future – Thursday, 11:45 – 11:45.

Join the Mayor of the West Midlands for a powerful conversation on uniting the region to unlock its full potential. This session will explore shared ambitions for economic growth, improved connectivity, and delivering a just, green transition.

  • Infrastructure at the Crossroads: One Year On from the General Election- Wednesday, 11:30 – 12:10pm.

Sandeep Shingadia, Transport for West Midlands, will assess how political commitments have translated into delivery on the ground and what the construction sector can expect from future public investment.

  • Turning Policy into Progress – Tuesday, 3:00 – 3:45pm

With bold government targets for housing and infrastructure, the UK construction industry faces a defining moment. From planning reform to skills, procurement, supply chains, and modern methods of construction, this session hosted by David Atkinson, National Head of Land & Development, Willmott Dixon, and  Rebecca Boundy, Managing Director for Clients and Markets, Kier Construction will ask: is the sector truly equipped to build what Britain needs?

  • Disruption & Innovation: Scaling Change in Construction – Tuesday, 2:15 – 2:45pm.

Innovation in construction is no longer limited to isolated pilots – it’s scaling across the sector, challenging long-established practices and transforming how projects are delivered. Professor Jacqui Glass,  Dean, The Bartlett, UCL’s Faculty of the Built Environment, explores how emerging technologies, data-driven approaches, and new models of collaboration are driving real change.

Building connections and driving change

Neil Gaisford, Divisional Director of Construction, commented: “Once again, UK Construction Week will lead the debate across a myriad of key topics, and not shy away from the difficult, burning questions which are in the minds of many who work in the sector. We’re delighted to have another phenomenal line-up of speakers who’ll be steering the conversation and making UKCW a must-attend for anyone who works in construction.”

The 2025 edition also builds on the event’s theme of “where decisions are made”, with opportunities for face-to-face networking and collaboration designed to drive tangible outcomes across the industry.

Why UKCW Birmingham 2025 Is unmissable

Celebrating its 10th anniversary, UK Construction Week Birmingham 2025 is more than a trade show—it is the UK’s definitive platform for shaping the future of construction. With its powerful mix of high-level speakers, CPD-accredited learning, product innovation, and unmatched networking opportunities, the event is a must for anyone serious about housing, infrastructure, digital construction, and sustainable building in the UK.

To register for UKCW Birmingham for free, visit https://forms.reg.buzz/ukcw-birmingham-2025/cab-pr.


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