Building Live programme

8.45: Breakfast

9.10: Welcome

Chloe McCulloch, acting editor, Building

9.15: The Building interview

9.45am: What is the impact on construction post Grenfell?

This session explores the impact of the regulatory and industry fall out resulting from the Grenfell tower disaster and its impact on specification, procurement and regulation of the sector.

Chair: Jonathan Owen, contributor, Building

10.30: Networking Break

11.00: My Greatest Project: London Bridge 

Chair: Chloe McCulloch, acting editor, Building

11.15: Artificial intelligence: pain or gain?

This session explores the impact of artificial intelligence, automation and digital change across four key part of the supply chain including cost consultants, contractors, architects and engineers

Chair: Hamish Champ, reporter, Building

12.15: What do Millennials really want?

Chair: Chloe McCulloch, acting editor, Building

12.30: Networking Lunch

1.30: Will we ever solve the housing crisis?

This session explores the current political and economic solutions to the housing crisis and presents alternative fixes to keep the industry pipeline strong and in good health.

Chair: David Blackman, features writer, Building

2.30: The Aldous Bill – what it means for the industry

The Aldous Bill promises to revolutionise the industry by protecting retentions owed to the supply chain by main contractors from being lost through insolvency.  Retentions will be held in a deposit scheme that will ensure specialist contractors receive the money when due.  Fenwick Elliott considers the legal implications of the propsals.

Chair: Chloe McCulloch, acting editor, Building

2.45: Building Performance: How to future proof your building

The wellbeing of building occupants has potentially huge benefits for employers, healthcare and education providers to name a few. Yet only a tiny handful of buildings have WELL certification, the standard for features that promote occupier wellbeing which means buildings without risk being shunned by productivity conscious firms. Obtaining WELL certification is expensive and challenging, this session asks is it worth doing and how to achieve it.

Chair: David Blackman, features writer, Building

3.30: Coffee Break

 3.45: My Greatest Project: Dudley College

Chair: Chloe McCulloch, acting editor, Building

 4pm:  Is there a future for the UK’s biggest contractors?

According to Building’s annual survey of top 150 contractors and housebuilders the margins of the UK’s ten largest contractors has slumped to an average 0.38% compared to 5.2% for smaller contractors. Challenges include the difficulties of managing risky, unwieldy mega projects, factors that sunk Carillion. Other challenges include the uncertainties posed by Brexit and a shrinking workforce. The growth in offsite construction means manufacturers are taking over the delivery of buildings.

Chair: Dave Rogers, contributing editor, Building

5.15: Drinks and networking