The summit, organised by Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce, provides a fantastic opportunity for key figures in the construction industry to discuss the challenges and obstacles that the industry faces on both a regional and national level.

 

Supported by headline sponsors **[The University of Salford](http://www.salford.ac.uk/)**, the event will seek to address key issues such as investment, connectivity, access to funding and strategic planning.  

 

With the construction industry contributing substantially to the North West’s economy, this year’s Construction Summit North will allow businesses to gain both an understanding of how policy changes can affect them, and in turn how they themselves can influence policy changes. 

 

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Our speakers for Construction Summit North will include:

 

* Mark Carne – Chief Executive, Network Rail

* John Twigg - Planning Director, Manchester Airport  

* Paul Griffiths - Development Director, HS2 

* James Richardson - Managing Director, Skanska

* Gerry Hughes – Head of Development, GVA Grimley 

* John Alderson – Chairman, Informed Solutions 

* John Sydney  - Head of Category Management, Sellafield Ltd

* Jim Coleman - Head of Economics, Buro Happold

* Prof Mohamed Arif – Research Centre Director, University of Salford  

* Mark Stodgell  - Associate Director, PCSG 

* Tony Ellender – Emerging Talent Manager, Balfour Beatty UK

 

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The Summit will cover a wide range of topics, with panel discussions on the following:

 

**Sector Resilience & Support**

Sponsored by CITB

 

In recent economic downturns the property and construction sector has been hit first and hit hard. In 2007 the warning signs were already showing in advance of the major downturn that hit the rest of the economy the following year.

 

This session will focus on how the sector can better insulate itself against future fluctuations in market conditions and major economic shocks. In a sector that is known for “peaks and troughs” the session will look at planning and the action that needs to be taken in advance of any future downturns and threats. 

 

It will focus on:

 

* Current and future working practices – e.g. offsite manufacture, BIM.

* Labour requirements and skills – access to the labour force, training and funding for skills.

* What will current sector support need to make sure that this can become a reality?

* The role of the Northern Powerhouse, devolved local government and central government.

* What are the early warning signs and how can you identify them?

 

 

**Connectivity**

 

Connectivity is one of the fundamental strands of activity underpinning the ambitious growth plans behind the Northern Powerhouse. Following years of neglect there is now a renewed focus and vigour in delivering what will be required to sustain the northern economy when it comes to connectivity. But what will that look like, how will it impact on the sector and what will the benefits be, not just in terms of journey times, but other opportunities?

 

This session will focus not only on transport infrastructure plans and projects, but will also look at digital requirements – high speed broadband is just as necessary as high speed rail in a modern 21st century economy. It will also look at how the sector can make the most of opportunities arising from what could become the next golden age of construction – from procurement to legacy and everything in between.

 

It will focus on:

 

* How will the sector benefit from the renewed focus and delivery of infrastructure projects not just in commercial terms but in being able to move labour and materials around easier?

* What will the big projects be over the next few decades and what is the expected benefit that they will deliver?

* Can the sector react quickly and ensure successful delivery of the government’s infrastructure strategy and other major projects?

* How can there be genuine legacies left once the projects are completed?

 

 

**Strategic Planning and Land Use**

 

The availability of suitable land and the ease with which planning applications are approved play a huge part in making sure that strategic development plans can be delivered- whether they are for new housing estates, infrastructure projects or major urban developments. With increasing concerns about the shortage of housing, increasing demands on land and different models for strategic control being developed under devolution deals, the danger is that the landscape is increasing in complexity and more barriers may be created instead of the opposite.

 

This session will look at how the sector can ensure that the availability of land and the decision making and planning approval process works effectively to allow delivery of what will be required. It will also look at how the flow of development opportunities to ensure continued growth within the sector will continue and how the sector can respond effectively to changes in strategy, legislation and demand.

 

It will focus on:

 

* Housing demand, supply and future housing strategy.

* Implications for commercial development opportunities in city centres, including retail, against a changing background of decision making strategies following devolution deals and changes in habits with the rise of internet shopping.

* How the sector can successfully react to rapid changes effectively and develop and deliver short, medium and long term plans.

 

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**Don’t miss this great opportunity to take part in the key construction event in the North.**

 

**The Summit partners include: CIOB, NWCH, ICE, RIBA, ACE, University of Salford, Manchester University, Forum for the Built Environment, North West ICG, RICS, Manchester Growth Company, NW Client Group, NFB, CITB, ICES (Chartered Institution of Civil Engineering Surveyors) and Constructing Excellence - Manchester.**

 

**[Place North West](https://www.placenorthwest.co.uk/)** will be attending on the day and supporting the event as media partner. 

 

Further sponsorship packages are available for the event along with exhibiting opportunities. To find out more please contact victoria.kerr@gmchamber.co.uk

 

**#ConstructionSummitNorth**