Conference & Workshops

If you would like to view the presentations from the conference and workshops click here

Keynote Speakers:

The conference starts at 09:30 and finishes at 13:00

Download Conference Agenda

After the conference you will have the opportunity to attend one of 3 workshops, each run by an organisation partnership to encourage a broad view and lively debate.

Workshop 1
Addressing the findings of the Equality & Human Rights Commission Inquiry into Race Discrimination in Construction

Chaired by: Stephen Ratcliffe, Director UK Contractors Group
Speakers: Sandra Johnson Blake, Equality and Human Rights Commission;
Mike Mulvey, Chief Executive Compete For;
Emma McCarthy, Chief Operating Officer NICEIC Group

This workshop will look at the Equality and Human Rights Commission Inquiry findings and next steps recommendations. The Inquiry revealed a negative image of the industry and poor recruitment practices contributed to low numbers of ethnic minorities entering the sector.

The creation of a Construction Leadership Diversity Forum and an Action Plan for Industry are just two of the measures developed by the Commission to tackle racism and the under-representation of various groups in the Construction industry.

We will explore how to build upon Diversity best practice in the sector and show how inclusion initiatives will be the key to business sustainability. We will look at transparency in procurement and supply chain management practices and explore the business benefits of diversity on small-medium enterprises as well as larger organisations.

Workshop 2
Balancing your Workforce

Chaired by: Niki Luscombe, Chief Executive, Women And Manual Trades &
Chairman London Diversity Forum for Construction & the Built Environment
Speakers: Mark Lunn, Regional Director London & the South East, Remploy
Judith Cherry, Opportunity Now
Sally Friedlander, Astins Institute.

The issues facing construction companies striving to compete effectively in an increasingly diverse employment marketplace are paramount. Ensuring a highly skilled and committed workforce that meets the demands of new contracts is an essential part of business success.

This workshop will consider whether addressing underrepresentation in the sector really will help to plug skills gaps, develop our workforce and ensure future business sustainability.

We will look at the business benefits of diversity and inclusion on small-medium enterprises as well as larger organisations and how best practice initiatives can assist in moving the diversity agenda forward in construction.

Workshop 3
Growth of the London economy: Developing the skills for the workforce of the future

Chaired by: Ray Manning, Construction Initiatives Co-ordinator, City of London.
Speakers: Sadia Sheikh, Experian UK;
Tim Cribbens, Olympic Delivery Authority;
Vince Glover, Operations Manager, London, Summit Skills

We will look at how our future workforce will be built from identifying the future needs of the City and industry needs and how developing the relationship between local communities and the construction sector is critical for sustainable communities.

We will consider how, by accessing and developing the best talent from within our communities, we can sustain a dynamic and stimulating environment for people working in, living in or visiting London.

We will explore how the sector can help develop and support a vibrant economy that provides direct economic benefit to local people and enables them to thrive. We will look at the macro-economic issues facing the City, the impact of the Olympic Park Construction project on developing future construction skills and how the Sector Skills Councils are responding to this agenda, with a particular focus on Building Services Engineering and Green Skills development.

Please view the presentations from the conference and workshops:

Conference Speakers
Alison Carnwath - Presentation(PPS)
Judy Lowe - Presentation(PPS)

Workshop 1
Sandra Johnson Blake, Equality and Human Rights Commission - Presentation(PPS)
Mike Mulvey, Compete For - Presentation(PDF)
Emma McCarthy, NICEIC Group -  Presentation(PPS)      

Workshop 2 
Judith Cherry, Opportunity Now - Presentation(PPS)
Mark Lunn, Remploy - Presentation(PPS)

Workshop 3 
Sadia Sheikh, Experian UK - Presentation(PPS)
Vince Glover, Summit Skills - Presentation(PPS)
Tim Cribbens, Olympic Delivery Authority - Presentation(PPS)