With just a few weeks to go, there’s a real buzz about next month’s UK Construction Week (UKCW) Birmingham – not least with the news that West Midlands Mayor Andy Street has been announced as a VIP keynote speaker.
UKCW Question Time with Andy Street will take place on the main stage on Thursday 6th October, and will see Mr Street answering Midanders’ major construction questions on the Future Homes Strategy; the Housing and Land Board; careers and skills; infrastructure; transport; regeneration and much more.
This is a major coup for the UK’s largest event for the built environment, which returns to Birmingham’s NEC from 4th to 6th October 2022.
Mr Street is just one of many high-profile names at the show; officially opened by architect and Channel 4 presenter George Clarke, UKCW Birmingham will feature a wide range of UK and international speakers including Rick Wilmott, CEO, Wilmott Dixon; Ann Bentley, Global Board Director at Rider Levett Bucknall; and Mark Thurston, CEO, HS2. BBC journalist Simon Jack will also be at the show, who will be chairperson on the Main Stage on day two (October 5th).
Andy Street said: “I’m delighted to be taking part in this year’s UK Construction Week – not least given the important role the industry has to play as a major growth sector for our region and its immense potential to create tens of thousands of jobs for local residents in the coming months and years.
“As we bounce back from the setback of Covid and revive our pre pandemic status as the engine room of a thriving UK economy, we must redouble our focus on driving the West Midlands forward towards renewed prosperity – investing to generate high quality job opportunities, building on our traditional strong suits and also looking to the growth sectors of the future – whether it’s housing, skills training, transport infrastructure or urban regeneration, we have so many reasons to be optimistic.
“I look forward to an engaging conversation – interacting with the industry on all things construction. Together, the private and public sector can change lives for the better right across our region.”
Nathan Garnett, UKCW Birmingham’s show director, added: “We are delighted to welcome Andy Street to UK Construction Week in October. We chose Birmingham as the venue for this national celebration of construction back in 2015, given the wealth of opportunities for the sector around the West Midlands.”
“Andy Street’s ambitious vision for the region is inspiring, whether that be around new jobs for offsite manufacturing, to harnessing the opportunities created by HS2, regenerating Birmingham City Centre, and creating green jobs in the construction industry. Times are tough, but Andy Street has a bold vision that the construction sector can be hugely optimistic about.”
