UK Construction Week (UKCW) Birmingham is set to celebrate women making an impact in the industry
A dedicated programme of panel discussions, skills workshops, and networking opportunities focused on women in construction is in store at UKCW Birmingham.
The even runs from 29 September to 1 October at the NEC, with shows, guest speakers, and demonstrations regarding the industry’s hottest topics.
Bringing in women as part of the ‘construction reset’
The theme for UKCW this year is the Construction Reset, which centres around three core areas: Building Better, Building Smarter, and Building Responsibly.
The shows dedicated to women in construction are on Tuesday, 29 September:
Build Connect Lounge, 10.30am – Women in Construction (WIC) Hub Connect: Women in Construction (WIC) Hub Connect brings together up to 40 women from across construction for networking with a purpose. Hosted by Design & Build UK in partnership with the WIC Hub, attendees will be matched based on their career journeys, challenges and experience, before working together on real industry challenges. Whether you meet a future mentor, a peer facing the same challenges or someone with a completely different perspective, the aim is simple: create introductions that lead to meaningful connections.
Building Safety & Occupational Safety Stage, 11.30am – I Belong Here: Inclusion as a Safety Imperative: A truly safe workplace is one where everyone feels respected, valued and able to speak up. This session will explore the critical role that diversity, equity and inclusion play in creating stronger safety cultures. The panel will bring together practitioners and leaders to discuss how organisations can remove barriers, address behaviours, build and foster psychological safety and ensure every individual feels they belong.
Speakers: Dana James-Edwards (Head of Fairness, Inclusion and Respect – Supply Chain Sustainability School), David Stevens (Director of Estates, Facilities & Capital Development, East London NHS Foundation Trust & Vice President, CIBSE), Desiree Blamey (Managing Director, Considerate Constructors Scheme), Nagina Bawar (Technical Director, Waterman Aspen & Professional Development Manager, Muslims in Construction (MIC)), Sandi Rhys-Jones OBE (Former President – CIOB)
Build Connect Lounge, 11.45am – Women Building the Reset: Women Building the Reset is a facilitated networking experience bringing women from across construction together for focused conversations about the changes our industry needs. Through structured conversations and rotating roundtables, participants will explore four areas central to construction’s future: the workforce, how we build, responsibility and the rules of the game.
It’s an opportunity to move beyond surface-level networking, share experiences and perspectives, hear how others are approaching common challenges and build new relationships with women from across the built environment.
Construction RESET Stage, 3.00pm – Women in Construction Panel, Meet Up and Networking: Hear directly from successful women in construction as they share their career journeys, practical advice and the lessons that have shaped their paths. This session will spotlight award-winning role models, the opportunities ahead for women in the industry, and what meaningful progress looks like in creating a more inclusive construction sector.
Speakers: Desiree Blamey (Managing Director, Considerate Constructors Scheme), Emma Richman (Assistant Director, Strategic Asset Management, Altair & Past President, Women in Property), Karina Wood (Project Manager, Women in Construction Anglia), Michaela Wain (Managing Director, Design & Build UK and Founder, Women in Construction), Rashida Rajkotwalla (Director, DWIP Consultants & NAWIC Midlands Co-Chair Building), Siu Mun Li (Director, Constructing Siu-lutions)
“It’s important we build an industry where everyone feels they belong”
Martin Hurn, UKCW Birmingham editorial director, said: “As we embrace The Construction Reset, it’s important that we build an industry where everyone feels they belong and has the same opportunities available to them to shape its future. We’re incredibly proud to offer a platform for the incredible voices already making a real impact in the sector and through our dedicated programme of panel discussions and networking opportunities, we hope to inspire the industry’s next role models and encourage greater diversity at every level.”
In August, the Home Builders Federation launched the ninth cohort of its Women into Home Building programme, which offers funded opportunities for women to gain experience in the construction industry.
Andy George, director of industry attraction and skills at the Home Builders Federation, said: “Women into Home Building is expanding the industry’s access to a wider pool of talent while giving more women a clear route to explore the opportunities available in home building. By combining industry insight with practical experience, the programme can help challenge misconceptions about careers in the sector and give participants the confidence and knowledge to take their next step.
“It is extremely encouraging to see the programme reach its ninth cohort and continue providing women across the country with direct experience of working in home building. The range of opportunities available across the industry is extensive, and programmes like this help make those careers more visible and accessible.
“I would encourage any woman who is interested in finding out whether a career in home building could be right for them to apply. We look forward to welcoming the next group of participants in November and seeing where the experience takes them.”
Read more about the programme here.
