Politicians, thought leaders and major decision makers will be sharing their thoughts on the sector at UK Construction Week Brimingham, which takes place from 30 September-2 October.

Mayor of the West Midlands, Richard Parker;  David Atkinson, national head of land and development at Willmott Dixon and Emma Wigham, director NHS New Hospital Programme, are just some of the high-profile speakers at the 10th anniversary event being held at Birmingham’s NEC.

Sessions collectively explore how UK construction can meet ambitious housing and infrastructure goals through policy reform, workforce development, innovation, digital transformation, and decarbonisation - while tackling critical challenges in safety, regulation, funding, mental health, and citizen engagement to deliver a more resilient, inclusive, and sustainable built environment.

With more than 200 hours of seminars, UK Construction Week highlights include:

Main Stage
Thursday, 2 October - 11.15 - 11.45am
Midlands United: Driving growth, connectivity, and a greener future

Join the Mayor of the West Midlands Richard Parker 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.

Thursday, 2 October - 1.45-2.15pm
Partnering for Health: Unlocking opportunity in the New Hospital Programme
This session will outline the innovative Hospital 2.0 Alliance - the new main works framework designed to foster collaboration and drive efficiency.  With Emma Whigham, markets and supply chain director, NHS - New Hospital Programme.

Wednesday, 1 October - 11.30am-12.10pm
Infrastructure at the crossroads: One year on from the General Election
One year after the general election, this session will assess how political commitments have translated into delivery on the ground and what the construction sector can expect from future public investment. With  Sandeep Shingadia, director of development and delivery, transport for West Midlands

Tuesday, 30 September 3-3:45pm
Turning policy into progress     
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 will ask: is the sector truly equipped to build what Britain needs? With David Atkinson, national head of land and development, Willmott Dixon and Rebecca Boundy, managing director for clients and markets, Kier Construction

Tuesday, 30 September - 2.15-2.45pm
Disruption & Innovation: Scaling change in construction
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 of 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.

 Housing Action Hub
Tuesday, 30 September -  1.15-1.45pm
Unlocking Opportunity: How smarter procurement and frameworks deliver for housebuilders and contractors     
Cutting through the complexity, this session will show Tier 1 and Tier 2 contractors exactly how to make procurement frameworks work for them - reducing risk, securing pipelines, and driving project efficiency. With Faye Whiteoak, regional director, Northern Procurement Alliance (LHC) and Alan Heron, director of procurement, places for people

Tuesday, 30 September -  3.15-3.45pm
From Ambition to Action: Industrialising affordable housing delivery in the UK       
Solving the UK’s housing crisis demands more than incremental change - this talk will look at how the Homes Accelerator is helping shape a long-term, high-ambition vision for housing delivery, grounded in a practical, phased roadmap to get us there.  With Keith Waller, programme director - Construction Innovation Hub, High Value Manufacturing Catapult               

Roofing, Cladding & Insulation Hub    
Thursday, 2 October - 10.30-11am
It’s high time we conquered working at height         
Every day, 2,000 people fall to their deaths globally when working at height – and the world falls apart for those left behind. Through its Don’t Fall Silent campaign, the IOSH aims to share better knowledge, inspire change and turn insight into action.  With James Quinn, past president, Institution of Occupational Safety and Health      

Neil Gaisford, divisional director, construction, said: “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.”

With UKCW Birmingham’s theme of ‘where decisions are made’, face to face networking will also continue to take centre stage, with a dedicated show app to help delegates book meetings in advance, alongside roundtable sessions and the Build Connect Networking Lounge.

The Association for Consultancy and Engineering (ACE) is partnering with UK Construction Week (UKCW).

As the sector faces growing pressure to deliver smarter, greener and more efficient infrastructure, ACE and UKCW are coming together to spotlight the role of consultancy and engineering in shaping the future of construction.

Click here to find out more about the event and for your free ticket click here