The evidence is unequivocally clear that diversity within a workforce improves productivity. The construction industry has a lot of catching up to do here, but the signs are encouraging, and the will is there to change. The very fact that construction is starting from a lower base on diversity than most industries means that the gains to be had are greater. That’s an exciting opportunity.
This new one day summit will take a look at how the construction industry has approached different diversity streams around gender, race, LGBT, how they got started, how they have got support from stakeholders, and reaped the rewards. It will also look to other sectors and how the narrative is moving away from labelling groups, and initiatives to attract certain groups, top a more holistic approach that creates an environment where anyone from any background can belong.
Agenda
| 08:00 | Registration and networking breakfast |
| 09:00 |
Opening remarks from the chair Vicki Reynolds, Head of Digital at i3PT |
| 09:15 |
'Diversity' why it is important and how to deliver the 4 stage action plan for change
Having struggled herself to find a sense of belonging, Anjali made it her personal aim to have companies discuss cultures and traditions to understand individuals as well as be attractive for the next generation. We struggle to bridge a massive barrier but is this down to our mindsets and stereotypes we have? After hearing she “...would not last in a man’s world”, the same man now proudly holds her graduation photo in his office. This seminar will cover Anjali's experience especially as a subcontractor, presenting findings from her research on students, ending with a 4-stage action plan.
Presented by: Anjali Pindoria, Project Surveyor at Avi Contracts Ltd |
| 10:00 | Networking refreshment break |
| 10:30 |
The value of affinity networks for increasing inclusion within Construction
Balfour Beatty established its first affinity networks in 2014 and has continued to grow and develop them, in this session we will look at the issues surrounding setting up the networks, best practices and pitfalls and how they have helped us to share and embed out equality diversity and inclusion strategy.
A case study on our experience in establishing affinity networks and harnessing our employees to shape and embed the wider Balfour Beatty ED & I strategy. Some key learning on the establishment and development of the networks within one o the UK’s leading Construction and Infrastructure contractors.
Presented by: Amanda McKay, MBA CQP FCQI TD, Quality Director at Balfour Beatty Major Projects |
| 11:15 | Networking coffee break |
|
11:30 |
Debate: Construction is segmented like no other industry Architectural practices, quantity surveyors, tier one contractor’s, sub-contractors, product manufacturers, supply chain and builders merchants (just for starters) all contribute in delivering services for the client. What role does the client play in creating a belonging culture, and how well are the different professionals within our industry doing in this area. Panelists: |
| 12:00 |
Willmott Dixon - Our Journey to Improving Gender Balance Presented by Rick Lee, Chief People Officer, Willmott Dixon |
| 12:30 | Networking buffet lunch |
| 13:15 |
Afternoon remarks from the chair Vicki Reynolds, Head of Digital at i3PT |
| 13:30 |
Providing Inclusive Learning
By providing inclusive training, we ensure that the differences of the individuals being trained are valued, remove the barriers to learning, provide a better learning experience and achieve increased engagement.
The Delivery of Inclusive Training:
An opportunity to explore the considerations needed to make learning sessions inclusive for a wide and diverse audience, take away a systematic approach to learning delivery to provide a better delegate experience
Presented by: Kevin Bowsher QPM, Assoc CIPD, FRSA, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Lead, Mace Group Ltd
|
| 14:15 |
How to deal with inappropriate behaviour, identifying it, and managing it in various environments from office to on site.
Virtually every employer has a policy on diversity and some have robust standards. There is however little evidence of anything in the way of ascertaining whether the policies and standards are being followed and met, particularly across the various tiers of suppliers, including the professionals. Construction relies on multi-disciplined teams with different employers working together. So we have quite a jumble of cultures, behaviours, skills and experiences coming together in a pressurised work environment. Little wonder we struggle with this.
Presented by: Gren Tipper FCIOB, Operations Director Construction Clients' Leadership Group (CCLG) |
| 15:00 | Networking refreshment break |
| 15:30 |
Creating an inclusive, value based company culture; From analysis and insight to sustainable change.
In this session Katae will explore:
Presented by: Jenny Hinde, Director, The Clear Company |
| 16:15 |
Three Things that can Transform your Approach to Become Far More Productive in your D&I Efforts.
This session is about UB, Belonging and Mindset. Harish will
Presented by: Harish Bhayani, Senior Partner Inclusion, Diversity & Equality at PRM Diversity Consultants |
| 16:45 |
Closing remarks from the chair Vicki Reynolds, Head of Digital at i3PT |
| 17:00 | Close of Summit |
Speakers
Kevin Bowsher, QPM Assoc CIPD FRSA
Associate Director - Consultancy - Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Lead HS2 Project at
Mace
Andrew Harrison
Chief Executive of the Plumbing & Heating Division
Travis Perkins plc.
Harish Bhayani
Senior Partner Inclusion, Diversity & Equality
PRM Diversity Consultants
Vicki Reynolds
Head of Digital
i3PT
Vicki is Head of Digital at i3PT. A core member of Women in BIM, Vicki also works hard to support, retain, and provide opportunities for women in the digital construction environment and regularly presents at schools, colleges and universities to promote STEM and Construction to girls in education. She believes strongly that the industry must diversify in order to successfully digitalise, and works hard to encourage women of all ages and experience to consider construction as a viable and rewarding career option.
Anjali Pindoria
Project Surveyor
Avi Contracts Ltd
Anjali has noted that the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME’s) millennials she belongs to are underrepresented, making it her personal goal to be the voice for change. She has researched the modernperceptions of construction and views held by the next generation in order to pave way for practical changes to diversify the industry. Due to her recent efforts, she was awarded Most Inspiring Role Model and Most Inspiring Diversity Champion at the 2019 Inspire Awards. She is a UK Construction Week Role Model and proud advocate of diversity and inclusion within the industry sitting on multiple committees to forge change.
Arleta Andreasik-Paton
Senior Project Manager
AECOM
After joining the construction industry in 2013, with no prior construction experience, Arleta aims to lead by example and prove that the construction industry has a place for everyone who is committed and willing to work hard on their professional development.
She has gained PRINCE II Practitioner qualifications within first 2 months of employment, following which she has achieved the Project Management Qualification (former APMP) with the Association for Project Management. In 2014 her hard work was recognised when she won the Women in Construction Awards in the Best New Starter of the Year over 25 category. She then went on to complete a Masters Degree in Construction Project Management with Distinction, and became a Chartered Member of the Chartered Institute of Building. All while working full time and expanding her project experience which covers the whole project lifecycle across various industry sectors, including education, retail, food and beverage and mixed use developments with a single project value up to £300 million.
In 2018 she was awarded the title of UK Construction Week Role Model of the year and she continues to engage with the wider industry and beyond in her efforts to raising the profile of construction industry and inspiring the younger generation to pursue a long lasting and successful career in construction.
Kevin Bowsher, QPM Assoc CIPD FRSA
Associate Director - Consultancy - Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Lead HS2 Project at
Mace
Kevin worked within policing for 30 years, much of this time connected to diversity activity. He played a leading role in developing the Metropolitan Police's approach to diversity and inclusion at that time. Kevin has significant experience of the aftermath of Stephen Lawrence’s murder and subsequent inquiry. He helped to deliver fundamental changes to policing that came about as a result. He was awarded the Queen's Police Medal in the 2006 NY Honours List. He was involved in the delivery of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, described as the most inclusive ever. Kevin also managed diversity and inclusion at Network Rail, where he became a Fellow of the Royal Society of the Arts and achieved Assoc CIPD status. It was here that he worked with others on the publication of a guide to inclusive learning. In 2019, Kevin joined Mace as Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Lead working on the HS2 project. He has extensive experience of designing, delivering, evaluating and inspecting training delivery.
Arran Linton-Smith
Autism Ambassador
National Autistic Society (NAS)
Although until recently, Arran, held down a senior management role at Interserve Construction, has a master’s degree in Environmental Management, is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Building and a Chartered Fellow of IOSH, just like many other autistic people, Arran left school without any qualifications and then faced significant problems at work. Arran describes his journey through the world of work as a bumpy one, where he had to re‐invent himself on many occasions and he has had to leave behind good careers such as nursing and on the railway because the challenges of be seen as being seen differently by his colleagues. Since receiving his autism diagnosis in 2012 and despite being advised by his family, that 'under no circumstances' should he disclose his autism whilst at work, Arran took the bold decision of challenging the prejudices and assumptions of autism, by being honest and open about his autism whist at work. Arran strongly feels that he now “has a duty to hold the door open for the next autistic generation".
Arran is now an Autism Ambassador for the National Autistic Society (NAS), spoken in Parliament about the Autism Employment Gap where only 16% of autistic adults are now in full‐time employment. Arran frequently appears on television, written media and is a regular conference speaker. Arran is a board member of the DARE (Discover Autism Research and Employment) research project for the University College London and was part of the NAS review panel for the review of the Autism Act. Arran is also undertaking another Guinness World Record Attempt at this year’s London Marathon.
Andrew Harrison
Chief Executive of the Plumbing & Heating Division
Travis Perkins plc.
Andrew has been in merchanting for 40 years, 30 of which have been with Travis Perkins PLC.
In March 2019 he was appointed Chief Executive of the group's Plumbing & Heating Businesses. Prior to that appointment Andrew has held the positions of Group Commercial Director, Chief Operating Officer of the General Merchanting Division and Managing Director of Keyline, Benchmarx and CCF.
Harish Bhayani
Senior Partner Inclusion, Diversity & Equality
PRM Diversity Consultants
Harish Bhayani is founder and Senior Partner of PRM Diversity Consultants (www.prmdiversityconsultants.co.uk). He has specialised as a diversity consultant, trainer and researcher since 2001. His expertise is grounded in some 20 years of prior experience working in large corporations; Exxon Mobil, Rover Group and Deloitte. Harish has developed leading edge initiatives in areas such as Unconscious Bias, Diversity Strategy, Inclusive Recruitment, Diversity Benchmarking and Supplier Diversity. He has been guiding world class clients on Unconscious Bias since 2009, delivering training and strategies for minimising bias risk, measuring biases and implementing specific bias reduction solutions. He has been a member of the Diversity & Inclusion Forum at the CIPR (www.cipr.co.uk) since 2011 and a member of the REC’s (www.rec.uk.com) Diversity & Inclusion Forum since 2012.
Harish has also followed a boardroom level career since 2006. Currently a trustee at Homeless Link (www.homeless.org.uk), Harish has previously held trustee/Chair roles at Crisis (www.crisis.org.uk) and smaller homelessness charities. In 2017 he completed his tenure as a governor at his local High School with 1500 students (Ofsted Rating ‘Outstanding’). His other board level activities include setting up his own businesses and investing in other start-ups with non-executive roles.
Harish holds a Masters level degree in Mechanical Engineering from Imperial College, London.
His clients typically say :
· “Your insights and views were great and compelling…although to be fair I did not really value them until more recently when the fog started to lift after so many conversations and more reading.”
· “Harish was taken on, on a very short and pressurised schedule given the enormity of the task. From the moment he arrived his professional attitude and approach was clearly visible. He integrated quickly and easily into the team and focused his attention on achieving the objectives.”
· “Harish Bhayani was very easy to work with, his knowledge was extensive and his diplomacy skills in leading us in the right direction of great value! He became a valued member of our bid team.”
· “It was clear that you had tailored this event to meet our specific needs, and you did an excellent job of directing and focusing our energies on the main objective - developing a realistic and effective action plan for embedding diversity within our organisation.”
· “A consummate professional with deep expertise in diversity and unconscious bias, ran a training course for my consulting team which went down well. Highly recommended”
· “An unusual but extremely useful perspective, clearly linking diversity to achieving business benefits.”
Harish’s clients have included organisations such as Aimia, Allianz, Atkins, Aviva, Balfour Beatty, BP, British Army, BBC, BT, Cabinet Office, CIPS, Crime Reduction Initiatives, Costain, Derwent Living, Durkan Group, ENEI, English Partnerships, EY, Euromoney, Ford, Gallions Housing Association, Hays, HM Prison Service, Home Office, Honda Motor Europe, HS2, Information Commissioners’ Office, Institute of Physics, Investors In People, Johnson Matthey, Lancashire Constabulary, Matchett Group, May Gurney, Metropolitan Police Service, Mott MacDonald, MSDUK, Norman Broadbent, Northern Trust, Northrop Grumman, Novo Nordisk, Page Group, WSP, Pitney Bowes, Provident Financial, Prudential, Royal Navy, Signet, Skanska, Surrey County Council, Taylor Woodrow, Tesco, UBS, Vinci, Yorkshire Building Society, Yorkshire Water.
Amanda Mckay
Quality Director
Balfour Beatty Major Projects
Amanda McKay is the Quality Director for the Major Projects business within Balfour Beatty, her main area of work is Nuclear and highly regulated projects. Amanda has worked in the Construction and major projects sector for over 35 years, mainly with QHSE roles and corporate governance. She has experience in Nuclear, rail, renewables and oil and Gas.
Amanda is an out Trans Woman and a strong advocate for diversity and inclusion within the Construction sector, regularly speaking on the topic, she also works to promote young people in STEM careers and is a mentor to a number of young people within the a number of sectors. She is a Fairness Inclusion & Respect ambassador and an OUTstanding top 100 LGBT Executive list member for the last two years. Amanda is a Chair of the Balfour Beatty LGBT+ and Allies network and the Gender Equality Network.
Jenny Hinde
Director
The Clear Company
With more than 20 years’ experience as an HR Director and more than 10 years’ experience in leading a successful Diversity and Inclusion agenda in a challenging environment, Jenny is passionate about using her expertise to help other organisations to be more inclusive.
Taking a pan-diversity approach she is highly experienced in defining the business case, setting the strategic direction and implementing robust solutions to diversity challenges, including a successful track record around gender balance, BAME, disability, LGBTA and mental health, as well as community initiatives to support broader disadvantaged groups.
She has experience of working in diverse sectors, including multi-site UK organisations and those with an international remit. Combined with extensive change management skills, and is known for making an impact.
Jenny has recently joined as a shareholder of the Clear Company in the role of Director, reflecting significant growth in recent years, and will be using her expertise to support clients with a range of inclusion projects and needs, as well as taking a lead on the learning business.
Gren Tipper
Operations Director
Construction Clients' Leadership Group (CCLG)
Gren spent the majority of his working career managing major complex construction projects for BAA the owner and operator of seven UK airports, including Heathrow Airport. He has always been passionate about the construction industry, supporting where clients can make a difference in developing better ways of working.
Gren is now the Operations Director of the Construction Client’s Leadership Group and is actively involved with a number of leading industry bodies.
Rick Lee
Chief People Officer
Willmott Dixon
Rick is Chief People Officer at Willmott Dixon, a privately owned construction and property services company that values innovation, partnership, sustainability and people.
Rick started his career at Shell, working in the Middle East, followed by roles at QA plc and the University of Nottingham.
Rick is passionate about equality and diversity – he is a member of the Women’s Business Council and heads up Willmott Dixon’s Centre for Leadership Excellence, which is developing and promoting outstanding women leaders. Rick was instrumental in securing the RICS Inclusive Employer Quality Mark for Willmott Dixon.
Rick is married with three children – a daughter and two sons.
If you are interested in speaking at the upcoming summit please email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Why Attend
Diversity within the workplace is the key to innovation; a happy diverse workforce improves productivity and helps teams to be more creative. By creating an inclusive workplace it will open your pool to attract new talent and create a skilled workforce.
- Move away from homogenous groups when it comes to recruitment and staff retention
- Opening the pool of talent & a skilled workforce
- Change the culture of construction & the industry’s mind-set
- Create a happy diverse workforce
- Improve creativity & productivity
- Learn more about the challenges we face and how to tackle them.
- Learn from industry professionals who have faced challenges and who are now thriving within the industry.
- Take a look at how the construction industry has approached different diversity streams around gender, race, LGBT, how they got started, how they have got support from stakeholders, and reaped the rewards.
- Take a look to other sectors and how the narrative is moving away from labelling groups, and initiatives to attract certain groups, top a more holistic approach that creates an environment where anyone from any background can belong.
Join us at the Belonging in Construction Summit and become a part of a changing industry, together we can create a fully inclusive construction industry.
Who Attends
Anyone who would like to learn more about how to make a more inclusive construction industry and the positive effects in doing so.
Job titles to include but not limited to:
- Head of Education and Skills, Policy & Research
- Head of HR / Head of Innovation and Research
- Group HR and Diversity Managers
- Diversity & Inclusion Directors
- Managing Directors
- Directors
- Head of Operations and Development
- Architects
- Senior Partners
Plan your visit
CentrEd at ExCeL London
Royal Victoria Dock, 1 Western Gateway, Royal Docks London E16 1XL
Plan your visit here.
Sponsors / Partners
Every Mind Matters is here to help you manage and maintain your mental health, as good mental health makes such a difference. It helps us to relax more, achieve more and enjoy our lives more.
FIS is the representative body for the £10 billion finishes and interiors sector in the UK. The FIS has 500 members drawn from contractors, manufacturers and distributers of ceilings, facades, partitions, plastering, drywall and specialist interior fit-out and refurbishment businesses.
FIS exists to support its members, improve safety, minimise risk, enhance productivity and drive innovation in the sector. As well as specialist publications, technical support and expert helplines, FIS is a dynamic network that brings the sector together through a range of events, awards and specialist working groups, all aimed at sharing best practice, setting standards and advising Government, that help its members to improve performance and win work. FIS has a dedicated skills and training team which works with a number of Approved Training Providers to attract new people to the sector and deliver a fully qualified and competent workforce.
FIS is dedicated to collaboration in construction and a proud member of BuildUK, the Construction Products Association and the Passive Fire Protection Forum.
Women in BIM is a non-profit organisation aiming to encourage Women in BIM related roles and allow them to have a strong voice in the current workplace. Diversity is crucial to collaborative BIM and encouraging women in this sector is of critical importance. By bringing together women in BIM and digital related roles from around the world, we can empower and support each other. This also supports the global issue of skills shortages which are currently causing industry big problems when it comes to working in the context of BIM.
The Construction Industry Council (CIC) is the representative forum for the professional bodies, research organisations and specialist business associations in the construction industry. Established in 1988 with just five founder members, CIC now occupies a key role within the UK construction industry providing a single voice for professionals in all sectors of the built environment through its collective membership of 500,000 individual professionals and more than 25,000 firms of construction consultants. The breadth and depth of its membership means that CIC is the only single body able to speak with authority on the diverse issues connected with construction without being constrained by the self-interest of any particular sector of the industry.
Impartial, comprehensive, unique and up-to-date, Construct UK's extensive directory of construction sales and marketing information is specifically designed for industry professionals - helping them to capitalise on the latest events, media initiatives, sales contact data and sources of experienced construction industry services, advice and support.Updated throughout the year, the directory covers everything for the construction marketer and sales professional, from PR and Marketing to Sales and Export. Divided into easily accessible sections, it comprises articles, features and databases, viewable online or in downloadable format. A few of the key resources include:
- 1,000 UK Architectural Practices, with named contacts
- Named Editorial Contacts at over 300 UK journals
- Calendar of 200+ UK Construction Exhibitions, with previous attendance and exhibiting costs data
- Calendar of 650+ Worldwide Construction Exhibitions (outside UK)
- A quick glance at the Directories and Downloads pages will show you how it can save hours in research time and help you stay up-to date with the latest construction sales and marketing information.
UK’s only dedicated sustainable construction blog and magazine encouraging a sustainable built environment.
Builders’ Merchants News and www.buildersmerchantnews.co.uk cover events as they happen. BMN has an extensive reach across print, digital and social media platforms getting in front of every industry decision-maker. BMN focuses on bringing quality
editorial to UK builders’ merchants and is driven to push the industry to focus on education and training for the next generation of merchants. BMN is a member of the
Builders’ Merchants Federation (BMF) and works closely with the federation to push for change within the merchant industry, such as the lack of women and diversity within the sector. BMN launched Women in Merchanting & Diversity in Merchanting with the
federation and this brand will continue to look at the many issues the industry is facing.
BMN is the official media partner for the National Merchants Buying Society (NMBS)the largest buying group in the sector and also for the h&b Group and works closely with the Worshipful Company of Builders Merchants (WCoBM) as well as all other buying
groups within the industry.
The BMN team also bring the longest running and most respected Awards to the Industry, Builders’ Merchants Awards now in their 18th year is a must attend event for
the whole industry.
BMN is a patron of CRASH and member of the Rainy Day Trust and works closely with the many important charities relevant to the merchant and construction sector.
Construction Enquirer is a free online news, work leads and recruitment advertising service for the UK construction industry.
Website http://www.constructionenquirer.com
The Builders Merchants Federation (BMF) is the only organisation that represents and protects the interests of builders merchants, plumbing, heating, roofing, decorative and timber merchants and their suppliers in the UK and Ireland. We are the authoritative voice for the building materials distribution sector, conveying the views and issues that face merchants and suppliers, to the widest possible audience.
Contact us
For general enquiries and booking information please contact the conference team:
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T: +44 (0)203 225 5200
For operations, speaker & content enquiries:
Jenny Gray, Senior Summit & Conference Manager
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Ext 604
For marketing and partnership enquiries:
Sema Tezel-Basbug, Senior Marketing Manager
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For sponsorship and delegate enquiries:
Keshav Barnwal, Senior Sales Executive
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Ext. 583
*It may be necessary for reasons beyond our reasonable control to alter the advertised content, timing and/or location of the event or the advertised speakers. We reserve the right to do this at any time.
