The Construction Reset - the industry responds

Politicians, business leaders and industry experts have reacted positively to ‘The Construction Reset’ - UK Construction Week Birmingham’s bold new theme, announced ahead of it returning to the NEC this autumn (September 29 to October 1).

Centred around three core themes - Building Better, Building Smarter and Building Responsibly - UKCW Birmingham will provide a clear focus on the issues and opportunities that matter most to the construction industry today.

Whilst all were agreed on the need to ‘reset’, each thought leader had their own interpretation on what that means - removing red tape and barriers; energy storage standardisation; turning conversation into action; readiness, competency and clear leadership; connecting people and organisations.

Rt Hon Sir James Cleverly MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Housing, Communities & Local Government, commented: "A construction reset means recognising that we cannot tax and regulate our way to growth. The reset I want to see is one where the government removes barriers rather than adding them, scrapping stamp duty, cutting red tape and backing builders."

Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands, said: “We're heading into a construction boom that will power new jobs, homes and opportunities right across the West Midlands. So, it’s crucial local people, especially our young people, have the skills to harness those opportunities. To help make that happen I’ve launched a £75m training package to give 12,000 people the construction skills needed to meet the industry’s soaring demand.

“This conference is also about showcasing the new construction and green technologies that will help power my Growth Plan and help us build the new homes we so badly need, in a way that is faster and more energy efficient.”

Jason Howlett, Chief Executive Officer Energy Storage Association UK, remarked: “If we’re serious about "Building Better, Smarter and Responsibly", then energy storage must become standard in every future home and not just retrofit solutions. Storage isn’t an upgrade; it’s essential infrastructure for a construction industry determined to reset, innovate and lead and the construction industry can futureproof housing today, without waiting for legislation to force the change.”

UKCW Role Models 2025 Icon Winner, David J Stevens, Director of Estates, Facilities & Capital Development, East London NHS Foundation Trust added: “The Construction Reset is about moving beyond talking about the challenges and getting better at delivering solutions. By combining engineering excellence, innovation and collaboration, we can deliver better performing, lower carbon and more resilient buildings that create lasting value for the people who use them.”

Dr Zsuzsanna Gyenes, Senior Industrial Safety Expert and Founder, Global Industrial Safety Solutions Ltd, noted: “For me, the Construction Reset is about readiness. If the industry is expected to deliver more homes, infrastructure and innovation, then organisations also need the confidence and capability to manage safety, risk and responsibility in a more dynamic way. It means competent people, clear safety leadership, risk awareness and management systems that work together from design through to construction, completion and long-term operation.

Rachael Owens, Co-Director - National Retrofit Hub, said: “For me, a construction reset isn't about starting again. It's about making better use of what we already have.

“If we can connect people and organisations, share what's working, make it easier to learn from one another, and work collaboratively to overcome blockers to scale, we'll make much faster progress. That's how we move beyond good individual projects and create a system that delivers at the pace and quality the industry needs.”

Martin Hurn, UKCW Birmingham Editorial Director, added: “It’s reassuring to hear key decision makers and industry leaders supporting our call for a reset in construction; the future is bright and we can all work together to be a catalyst for positive change.

“The Construction Reset will position the event as a more intentional marketplace and industry meeting point, built around the real challenges, opportunities and partnerships shaping construction today.”

Sponsored by Wyre, HotelPlanner and Build Warranty, UKCW Birmingham will feature over 250 leading brands; 200 speakers and over 150 hours of CPD accredited seminars across four stages, alongside a series of built-for-purpose sections.

To find out more and to register free for UKCW Birmingham, visit https://register.visitcloud.com/survey/0hcnqiudc1lrv?actioncode=1000