UKCW London sets the agenda for built environment and returns to capital with record attendance

UKCW London sets the agenda for built environment and returns to capital with record attendance

UK Construction Week (UKCW) London, the UK’s largest built environment event, celebrated its most successful edition to date when it returned to ExCeL London. The show welcomed record visitor numbers and featured a wealth of exclusive brands, an in-depth CPD-accredited education programme with over 160 hours of CPD credits, global exhibitors, and a range of innovative new features.

The biggest update to this year’s edition was the unveiling of two major new show features: HVAC+R and Onsite On Hire to showcase innovation:

• HVAC+R, focused on the heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration sectors, was delivered in partnership with Datateam Business Media and supported by leading industry associations including the Building Engineering Services Association, Federation of Environmental Trade Associations, Heat Pump Association, and the Institute of Refrigeration. The event was supported by industry leaders Veissmann, Toshiba/Carrier Solutions UK, Sanha UK, Rex Nordic, Trimair and Vulcan Industries.
• Onsite On Hire, a showcase for cutting-edge plant, tool, and eco-hire solutions, made its London debut after a successful launch at UKCW Birmingham. Sponsored by Speedy Hire and supported by the Construction Plant-hire Association (CPA), the feature hosted over 30 top-tier hire companies and equipment suppliers including Amorgard, Altrad Belle, Milwaukee Power Tools, Multiquip and Makita.

High-impact education and industry leadership

This year’s event placed a strong emphasis on Net Zero and industry transformation, with over 160 hours of CPD-accredited workshops and seminars, led by thought leaders including:

• Mark Reynolds, CEO, MACE
• Andrew Watkin, Transport & Estates Development Manager, Aston Villa FC
• Alan Heron, Director of Procurement, Places for People
• David Philp, Chair, CIOS Innovation Panel
• Kerry O’Driscoll, Head of Built Heritage, Blenheim Palace

Neil Gaisford, Divisional Director, Construction, remarked: “This year, UKCW London was more than just a hub for innovation and collaboration — it became a pivotal platform for shaping the future of the built environment. It marked a bold and dynamic start to our 10th anniversary celebrations, and we’re excited to build on this momentum as we look ahead to UKCW Birmingham this autumn.”

Event Highlights

• Women In Construction networking event supported by The National Association of Women in Construction and Women in property championed diversity in the sector and attracted over 100 delegates to interact and share knowledge.
• Over 300 exhibitors showcased 7,000+ products, including leading names such as JCB, Sage, Kingspan, Hahn Plastics, Fisher Future Heat, Creagh Concrete, BRE Group, and many more.
• The Sicilian Pavilion made a notable return, bringing a curated selection of high-end, family-owned interiors brands offering marble, decorative finishes, windows, and flooring.
• The Stone Show & Hard Surfaces co-located with UK Construction Week for the first time offering visitors solutions for sustainable building materials with the UK’s largest showcase of natural stone.
• Stand Awards honoured outstanding exhibition design and engagement:
  • Best Space Only Stand: Sage
  • Best Shell Scheme Stand: HSS Proservice
  • Best Sustainability Initiative: Air Quality Improvement
  • Best Marketing: BRE

Celebrating Industry Role Models

Now in its eighth year, the Role Models Campaign recognised exceptional talent and commitment across the sector, with shortlists revealed in three new categories:

Rising Star

Highlights include Emily Ray (Lorenc Design Associates), Rekiya Shodunke (Berkeley Homes), and Tegan Johnson (Charles Russell Speechlys LLP).

Pioneer

Among the nominees: Issie Barrett-Kearns (Veriforce CHAS), Joshua Cross (MV Kelly), and Carly Hughes (Immerse Safety).

Icon

Standouts include Rob Charlton (Space Group), Jodie Sawyer (Tarmac), and Joanna Brooker (C2C Group).

Winners will be announced at UKCW Birmingham this October.

Exhibitor Feedback

Roisin O’Gara, PR & Events Manager, Speedy Hire:
“UKCW London has been a brilliant platform to bring our suppliers and customers together. From eight exhibitors in Birmingham to over 20 in London — we’ve seen remarkable growth.”

Will Jones, Event Lead, Octopus Energy:
“This has been our most successful expo experience to date. The engagement and footfall have been exceptional.”

Adrian Wilson, UK Business Development Manager, Creagh Concrete:
“We’ve connected with high-quality leads and decision-makers — exactly the outcome we hoped for.”

Maximus Hammond, Fleet Sales, Toyota:
“The layout and design foster real engagement. It’s one of the best-organised events we’ve attended, and our team is already following up on promising leads.”

Looking Ahead

Dates for upcoming editions have been confirmed:

• UKCW Birmingham: 30 September – 2 October 2025
• UKCW London: 12 – 14 May 2026

Registration is now open for UKCW Birmingham — click here to register.