Construction lawyer May Winfield will deliver the morning keynote, titled ‘Implementing AI: Will You Get Sued?’, examining how artificial intelligence is reshaping construction workflows and the associated risks around contract liability and data responsibility. Winfield, who has nearly two decades of industry experience, will outline the legal implications of AI integration and the steps firms should take to protect projects and operations.

In the afternoon, Build UK CEO Suzannah Nichol OBE will present ‘Building Better Together: Transforming Construction for Growth and Efficiency’, addressing sector collaboration and supply chain resilience. Her session will explore how businesses can “secure their economic futures and deliver safer and more sustainable projects”.

BESA chief executive David Frise said the event would tackle the impact of cost-driven procurement models: “The race to the bottom on cost has hindered business success, damaged the sector’s reputation and undermined innovation, quality, and long-term performance.” He added that the conference would explore how to shift toward “long-term value and whole-life performance,” with sessions asking: “What does outcome-based procurement look like in practice, and how do we embed it from design to delivery to operation?”

Technical sessions will cover water quality design, heat pump optimisation, and advanced engineering processes. Recruitment and training models will also be scrutinised, with BESA’s director of competence and compliance, Jill Nicholls, noting: “In too many cases, we are still training tomorrow’s generation to do yesterday's jobs.” She said employer members and the NextGen network are helping shape “a skills model that is more fit for purpose and reflects the rapid pace of change across our industry”.

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