The UK’s infrastructure industry has been recognised as “fundamental” to the country’s economic growth ambitions as the sector stepped into the spotlight at the Association for Consultancy and Engineering’s landmark conference.

Delivering Infrastructure 2050, held in London yesterday (30 June), brought figures from government, engineering, delivery, investment and innovation together to tackle the sector's challenges - and opportunities - as infrastructure faces a pivotal moment with major development, unprecedented levels of investment and regulatory change across key sectors such as energy, water, transport and construction.

Keynote speaker Chris McDonald MP, Minister for Industry (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero/Department for Business and Trade), highlighted the importance of the sector, describing it as a “capable expert” and  “a world-leading part of the UK’s capability”.

He told the audience: “The work you do is fundamental to ensuring that the ambitions we’ve set out in our Infrastructure Strategy actually succeeds and can become a tangible part of the UK economy. We also recognise that engineering consultancy is an incredibly valuable and valued British export.”

Tracy Brabin, mayor of West Yorkshire, also delivered a keynote speech at the event. She emphasised her ambition to “deliver, deliver, deliver” and the significance of devolution and its economic rebalancing.

She highlighted wins such as the £230m West Yorkshire investment pipeline,  the planned 1,000 home Bradford City Village development and ambitions for the West Yorkshire mass transit network as ways regional growth is developing schemes of national significance.

“We could be in the market for the greatest rebalancing of our economy and power that the country has ever seen with mayors right at the centre of that devolution revolution,” she said.

“We all know major infrastructure projects have taken too long to come to fruition and deliver the outcomes that our communities desperately need, but also that business needs.

“People really are crying out for rapid change that will tangibly improve their day-to-day quality of life. There’s been political global uncertainty. We know the cost of living pressures. But mayors offer that stability in these uncertain times.”

The Delivering Infrastructure 2050 conference, held at the IET London: Savoy Place, was ACE's call for a sector-wide approach to turn ambition into delivery and results across the sector.

The full-day summit brought together more than 150 decision-makers from across the consultancy and engineering sector to explore the practical solutions, investment frameworks and policy reforms that will determine whether Britain rises to meet these challenges. Panel discussions focussed on issues ranging from AI and skills to economic growth and climate resilience.

Other speakers included Matt Palmer, executive director of Lower Thames Crossing; Steve Lomas, managing director at the National Wealth Fund; Julie Foley, director of flood risk strategy and adaptation at the Environment Agency and Andrew Went, executive director engineering, technical and safety at East West Rail.

Milda Manomaitytė, chief executive of the Association for Consultancy and Engineering, outlined the significance of the sector and the importance of collaboration between industry, government and clients to address future infratstucture challenges.

“Engineering and consultancy contributes almost £40bn to GDP, we employ around half a million people and generate more than £11bn in exports.

“Our sector is highly skilled, highly productive and globally respected. But behind the statistics, our work shapes communities, keeps people connected, protects the environment  and creates infrastructure that underpins economic growth and every day life.”

At the Delivering Infrastructure 2050 conference, ACE also launched its impact report, Building the case for the sector that builds everything else, focusing on how the it has successfully lobbied for a sustainable and efficient built environment, through its public affairs, policy and communications network, reinforcing the importance of the built environment sector. Click here to read more.

Sponsors, partners and exhibitors at the event were: Barnes Roffe, Griffiths & Armour, an Aon company, Infrastructure Matters, Mott MacDonald, Projectworks, HS2 (High Speed Two) Ltd, the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority (NISTA) and Infrastructure Intelligence.

To see images from the Delivering Infrastructure 2050 conference, click here