UK Construction Week (UKCW) will once again be spotlighting women in the construction industry with a dedicated programme of panel discussions, skills workshops and networking opportunities.

Returning to Excel London from 12-14 May, UKCW will run alongside both Futurebuild and The Stone & Surfaces Show to bring together 25,000 industry professionals, more than 600 exhibitors and 700-plus speakers across six dedicated hubs.

The construction sector’s key challenges around representation and retention will be in the spotlight, while highlighting opportunities for women to lead the way in driving diversity and inclusion in the industry.

Talk highlights include:

Tuesday 12 May
Contech & AI Hub, 3pm
The three C’s for building a more sustainable digital future: construction, circularity and collaboration
Women in BIM -  a diverse network of female professionals within the architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) industry explore how construction, circularity and collaboration form the foundation of a more sustainable and digitally enabled built environment. The three C’s for building a more sustainable digital future: construction, circularity and collaboration - This session will highlight how innovative digital practices and inclusive collaboration can drive circular approaches to construction, reducing waste, improving efficiency and promoting long-term sustainability.

Speakers: Andrea Charlson (senior sustainability lead and circular economy lead, The Concrete Centre), Eve Choy (sustainability manager, Structure Tone), Heba Bevan (CEO, UtterBerry), Marie Grieve (MD, Costello Palmer and global vice chair, Women in BIM)

Contech & AI Hub, 4pm
Building Connections: Women in BIM Networking
Join Women in BIM for an inspiring networking session focused on collaboration and professional growth.
Speaker: Marie Grieve - MD, Costello Palmer and global vice chair, Women in BIM

Thursday 14 May
Culture Change & Skills Hub, 10.30am
Raising the bar: Delivering the national site standard for female operatives in the construction industry
Learn more about the National Site Standard for female operatives and what it means for the future of construction workplaces. This session will examine the practical changes required on site, from welfare facilities to culture and leadership, and why raising standards is essential to attracting and retaining talent.  
Speaker: Renee Preston, CEO, Gallaway Construction

Culture Change & Skills Hub, 1.10pm
Allies and mentorship in building a career in construction
Developing talent is essential to ensuring long-term capability and effective succession planning in the construction industry. This session looks at how organisations are building strong talent pipelines through mentorship programmes, apprenticeships, and graduate schemes. Speakers will showcase innovative approaches to retaining and upskilling staff.
Speaker: Doreen DiSalvo, head of brand and communications, Hilti

Sam Patel, divisional director at UK Construction Week London, said: “At UKCW, we understand our role in helping to champion the fantastic voices we already have driving diversity and inclusion in the construction sector, while inspiring more women to consider a career in the industry. This year’s programme aims to inspire both reflection and action, and we’re really pleased to have organisations such as Women in BIM on board as partners to help steer this forward.”

The Association for Consultancy and Engineering (ACE) is continuing its partnership with UKCW and policy director Marie-Claude Hemming will be a guest speaker at one of the event’s sessions surrounding policy and legislation - After the Ballot Box: What local elections mean for housing delivery - being held in the Housing Action Hub.

Click here to register for the event for free.

Following the London show in May 2026, UKCW Birmingham will return to the NEC from 29 September to 1 October 2026.