UKCW Experts Name Their Biggest Construction ‘Game Changers’

WITH LESS than a week until the doors open on the 10^th annual UK Construction Week (UKCW), industry experts are reflecting on some of the greatest impacts to construction in the show’s first decade.

From the rise of AI and digital technology and the Grenfell tragedy, to COVID and the government’s 10-year infrastructure strategy, the show’s industry experts, including members of the UKCW Advisory Board, have narrowed down what they think are construction’s biggest ‘game changers’.

Construction’s Biggest ‘Game Changers’

The UKCW experts’ 10-year highlights are:

Change in Government

George Clarke

George Clarke, Architect and TV Presenter: “The change in government was the biggest moment, really. We needed a change and reset in the construction industry, and we needed to get a lot of confidence back. Of course it’s been tough (the construction industry has and always will have its challenges!) but I think the change of government was much needed. They now need to work with us to deliver!”

10-Year Infrastructure Strategy

Marie-Claude Hemming

Marie-Claude Hemming, Policy Director, Association for Consultancy and Engineering (ACE): “The Government’s 10-year Infrastructure Strategy marks a step change in how the country plans, funds and delivers the infrastructure critical to our future success. The industry now has an element of certainty and a pipeline of investable projects. Standing ready to deliver our sector is highly skilled, productive, and forward-looking – employing over 470,000 people and contributing more than £39 bn to the UK economy.”

Grenfell Tragedy

Amanda Long

Amanda Long, Chief Executive, Code for Construction Product Information (CCPI): “Given the perspective of my work, without doubt the biggest impact has been the Grenfell tragedy; that is what is going to drive the greatest change in terms of culture and behaviour, which will bring together so many of the other changes that need to happen in the sector.”

COVID Impact

Emily King

Emily King, Industrialisation Consultant on the New Hospital Programme, NHS England: “I think one of the things that’s had the largest impact over the last 10 years has been COVID – it forced us to rethink and innovate.

“We’re quite a stagnant industry – we’re like an oil tanker; it takes us a long time to change and struggle to revolutionise because our projects are so big, they take years to even design. COVID forced us to reassess everything very, very quickly – we had to rethink every activity to make it safe for everyone. What that encouraged was a reflection on efficiency; being driven from a need is much better than being driven from the top down by your client.”

Risk Takers

Jessie Wilde

Jessie Wilde, Founding Director, Housing Festival: “I think the biggest game changer is almost always people! It’s the people willing to ‘go first’ to take a risk and be ahead of the rest. And there are so many of those in the last 10 years – too many to name.

“There have been some amazing housing schemes built, some great learning summarised in reports, some fabulous work on breaking down communications barriers, and now a much better understanding about what’s needed in this country to help solve our acute housing challenges. We mustn’t stop now!”

Data-Driven Delivery

Chris Farr

Chris Farr, National Frameworks Director, Willmott Dixon: “The biggest game changer in the past 10 years hasn’t been a single technology, but the shift toward digital integration and data-driven delivery – with BIM (Building Information Modelling) maturity, digital twins, and common data environments (CDEs) at the heart of it.

“MMC (Modern Methods of Construction) and offsite have also been disruptive, but digital has been the enabler – standardisation, manufacturing-style repeatability, and carbon tracking all depend on it. Net zero and carbon measurement are becoming embedded into tendering and delivery, but again, it’s digital tools that allow reliable measurement and reporting. All this has fundamentally changed how we plan, build, and prove value.”

Digital Technology

Nigel Ostime

Nigel Ostime, Project Delivery Lead, Hawkins Brown: “The biggest game changer has undoubtedly been digital technology but this comes in many guises – the rise of Building Information Modelling (BIM); its use in Offsite and Modular Construction; mobile and cloud-based site management; sustainability and carbon tracking; AI, automation, and robotics; digital procurement and compliance.

“More recently AI has started to make a big impact and will no doubt continue to do so at an exponential rate. The next frontier? Full integration, predictive analytics, and AI-enhanced decision-making.”

Rise of AI

Siu Mun Li

Siu Mun Li, Director, Temporary Works Forum: “The biggest game changer in UK construction is the rise of digital technology and AI. It started with BIM over a decade ago, but we’re now seeing AI, smart tech and data-driven tools helping to deliver projects safer, faster, and greener.

“With the pressures to hit net zero and boost productivity, we can’t keep working the way we always have. We’re having to rethink how we design, build and manage projects and we need to work smarter. With the digital revolution, embracing technological advances is how we make this happen.”

Transformation and Change

Trudi Sully

Trudi Sully, UK and Europe Lead – Industrialised Design & Construction, Mott MacDonald: “The biggest impact for me personally is that I came into the industry 10 years ago, but throughout that time it’s been about transformation and change; although sometimes it feels like it’s been a slow burn, when you look back there’s been so much happening.”

Commenting on these expert opinions, Neil Gaisford, Divisional Director, Construction, said: “What is clear from these fascinating insights is how the construction industry has been constantly challenged over the last decade to adapt and innovate – whether that’s due to key step changes like Grenfell and COVID, or simply to ensure it’s kept pace with the advances in technology and the benefits that brings. UK Construction Week has always prided itself on being at the forefront of those conversations and debates, so that delegates stay ahead of the curve.”

UK Construction Week 2025

UK Construction Week 2025 will be held on 30 September – 2 October at the NEC Birmingham with a theme of ‘Where Decisions Are Made’.

Alongside over 300 brands from around the world including exhibitors from China, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, and Turkey, UKCW Birmingham will feature 200 speakers and over 150 hours of CPD accredited seminars and talks across five stages.

Register for UKCW Birmingham for free and download the show app here.

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