‘International Inspiring Construction’ event in November to guide members on global markets.
By 2025 global construction is predicted to grow by more than 70%, so there are huge opportunities for UK companies to gain work in international markets.
Given funding challenges overseas, UK firms’ experience of public-private partnership (PPP) and expertise in digital design could prove an attractive proposition. Furthermore, UK companies have a reputation for competitive whole-life costs and sustainable construction.
To help members take advantage of these opportunities, the CIOB is hosting the International Inspiring Construction conference on 24 November in London. Bringing together industry leaders in global construction, the conference aims to give delegates access to companies’ native to, or working in, some of the biggest international markets. Attendees will learn how they operate and how to avoid some of the common pitfalls.
Meanwhile, the UK construction market is also becoming attractive to global businesses. Law firm Pinsent Masons estimates £105bn of Chinese investment will enter Britain by 2025.
To help attendees capitalise on this trend, Dr Jianxi Cheng, project manager at Chinese developer Wanda One UK, a subsidiary of China’s largest property company, Dalian Wanda Group, will be one of the conference’s keynote speakers, assessing Chinese investment in construction in the UK and Europe, and providing insight into how China’s investment and construction companies collaborate with local partners to overcome cultural differences.
L-r: Speakers Jianxi Cheng, Arnaud Berkaet, Tony Giddings, James Wates, Andrew Pryke, and Arto Kiviniemi
Cheng said: “The Chinese investment trickle will fast turn into a wave over the next five to 10 years, especially in the UK energy, property and transport sectors.
“This will offer greater mutual opportunities for Chinese construction and development firms, and their partners in the UK to learn from each other. With an eye not just on the short term but on long-term co-operation, I look forward to sharing my experiences.”
Other international experts speaking include: Arnaud Berkaet, managing director of Bouygues UK; James Wates, chairman of Wates Construction and past president of the CIOB; Tony Giddings, partner at Argent; Andrew Pryke, managing director at BAM Design; and Arto Kiviniemi, professor of digital architectural design at the University of Liverpool.
Chris Blythe, chief executive of the CIOB, said: “The globalisation of construction is not just happening overseas. The world has come to the UK, and increasingly contractors and subcontractors now face competition from Chinese, French, Malaysian and [operators from] many other countries.
“We want to help CIOB members understand how these companies operate and how to work together. Senior directors from Chinese and French firms working in the UK [will] talk about what they want from UK subcontractors, and how they intend to cut a distinctive niche for themselves in the UK market. This two-way dialogue will not only inform but create opportunities for attendees.”
As construction picks up, those who innovate and react fastest will have a competitive edge. Take a day out to understand the future industry: members booking before 20 September get £50 off the standard member rate, and two tickets to the CIOB CPD session.
For more information go to www.ciob.org/inspire
