50% of London Build’s conference agenda is represented by female speakers

The countdown is on to the UK’s leading construction show! London Build returns to Olympia London’s Grand Hall for the live expo on the 17th and 18th November. 

Come meet, network and do business with thousands of the UK’s top contractors, developers, architects, civil engineers and more. This year the show will feature 500+ speakers across 6 stages, hundreds of exhibitors, 200+ CPD sessions, exclusive free-to-attend networking events including Meet the Buyer, Women in Construction and Diversity in Construction, the Festival of Construction with plenty of entertainment, live performances and music, surprise celebrity guests and much, much more. 

New to London Build 2021 is the dedicated Diversity & Inclusion stage. Hear from D&I leaders driving change across the industry, as they explore what can be done to make the UK’s built environment more diverse and inclusive, with two days of interactive panel discussions and open Q&A. Topics include 'Improving the Image of Construction - Challenging Stereotypes', ‘Hear From Leaders Driving Change in LGBTQ+’, ‘The Future Workforce - Fast Forward to a Completely Diverse Industry’, 'The Importance of Mentoring and Leadership', ‘Attracting and Retaining Diverse Talent’ to name a few. 

London Build are very proud to announce that this year’s show will have a 50/50 split of men and women across the conference agenda, a first-ever for any construction show! Hear from a diverse and wide range of industry leaders from across the sector, including: 

- Dr Marzia Bolpagni, Head of BIM International, Associate Director - Mace Group
- Jenny McLaughlin, Project Manager - Heathrow
- Frances McAndrew, Global Head of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion - Mott MacDonald
- Angela Brady, Director - Brady Mallalieu Architects
- Dr Wei Yang, President - Royal Town Planning Institute
- Amanprit Arnold, Senior Infrastructure Planning and Policy Officer - Greater London Authority
- Annette Fisher, Founder and Chair - Let's Build
- Sheryl Moore, Group Social Sustainability Manager - Kier Group
- Miranda Sharp, Stream Lead, National Digital Twin Programme - Centre for Digital Built Britain
- Olaide Obog, Director of Partnerships - First Base
- Christina Riley, Senior Planner - Quinn London Ltd
- Joanne Flaherty, Project Director - Bouygues UK
- Marylis Ramos, Director - PRP Architects 
- Jyoti Sehdev (She/Her), Group Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Lead and Senior Engineer - Costain

Take part in the UK’s largest networking event for women in construction. Talk to and feel inspired by fellow architects, contractors, engineers, designers and other diversity champions from all sectors that make up the construction industry. In partnership with NAWIC, this event is free-to-attend and gives visitors the chance to share their experiences with a group of like-minded people. From graduates to Heads of Departments and CEOs to government officials, this is the place to build connections and hear about what is being done to make lasting change.

Once again this year, London Build is working with a large team of inspiring Diversity and Women in Construction Ambassadors. These Ambassadors who are passionate about driving equality, diversity and change, have helped shape discussions at the show and you can network with them at the event to exchange ideas and milestones. 

Dates to mark in your diaries:

- London Build Expo - 17th & 18th Nov
- Women in Construction Networking Event - 18th Nov 10am - 11.30pm
- Diversity in Construction Networking Event - 17th Nov 4pm - 5.30pm 

London Build Expo is free to attend and promises to be two fun-filled days of high-level content, networking opportunities and endless entertainment. Find out more and register free tickets for your team today at www.londonbuildexpo.com/womeninconstruction.

Hear from some of our speakers taking the stage at London Build:

How far has the industry come and how much further do we have to go?

“The esteemed Women’s Engineering Society was formed in 1919 with the aim of supporting women in engineering and increasing their number. I wonder what they would think about the progress that we’ve made in the last 100 years?”  - Sally Sudworth, Global Head for Sustainability and Climate Change - Mott MacDonald

What do you think is the most important thing when it comes to bringing about change? 

“We need to move out of silos and adopt a holistic approach that is founded upon collaboration. Enough of talking, round tables, reports and promises that focus on only one part of industry, or – even worse – on only one trade or profession; now is the time to come together and to share knowledge, events and vacancies in a way that enables equality of opportunity for all. To bring about effective and long-lasting change we have to look at the bigger picture and take a joined-up and truly collaborative approach – together.”- Rebecca Lovelace, Founder, Building People

“‘You can’t be what you can’t see’. We need to include, highlight, and promote the representation of women and underrepresented groups at all senior levels of the professions. This is how we inspire and empower the next generation to gain the confidence to get involved and help bring about the change that’s so desperately needed: not only in construction but across all professions. As Nelson Mandela said, “it only seems impossible until it’s done”. - Annette Amanda Oyékunlè Fisher, Chair, Let’s Build and Partner FA Global

What excites you about the industry and the positive changes made?

“As architects, we appreciate and listen to all voices, from everyone who makes up our teams. I have championed Diversity all of my professional career, including when we started ‘Architects for Change’ group at RIBA and I continued this as President of RIBA. The BLM (Black Lives Matter) has showcased importance of more diversity in our profession and our gender balance has improved over the years - but it needs monitoring, with more role models and ambassadors standing up to challenges and promoting what a great profession architecture is.”-  Angela Brady OBE, Director, Brady Mallalieu Architects