UK Construction Week 2025 proved to be a pivotal moment for the industry, with a strong focus on culture, competency, and compliance. As someone deeply involved in technical support and industry standards, I found the sessions both challenging and inspiring. Here’s a breakdown of the key takeaways from the talks I attended.
Empowering Positive Change: The Future of Construction Culture
This session set the tone for the day, emphasising the need for a risk-based approach to competency. The speakers – Alexander Caller, Ashton Freeman, Oksana Degtyaryova, and Tom Weller – highlighted the importance of auditing internal capabilities and embracing transparency around weaknesses.
Key takeaways:
- Competency must be assessed before, during, and after the build process.
- Learning and development are not optional – they’re essential to business resilience.
- Internal reviews should be seen as opportunities, not criticisms.
The Building Safety Act and Low-Rise Housing: Clarity, Compliance, and Consequences
This session, led by Huw Wilkins, Krish Parmar, Nia Stewart, Olivia Jenkins, and Tom Weller, tackled misconceptions around the Building Safety Act. It’s not just for high-risk buildings – low-rise housing is now firmly in scope.
Key takeaways:
- Duty holders must be clearly defined, especially when clients default into roles like Principal Contractor or Designer.
- The PMMCCC framework (Planning, Monitoring, Management, Coordination, Capability, Competency) is vital.
- Resident engagement plans and remediation contribution orders are emerging as key tools for accountability.
- The industry must prepare for increased enforcement as regulatory bodies scale up.
Grenfell Phase 2: Learning, Accountability, and the Road Ahead
Catherine Adams and Tom Weller delivered a sobering but hopeful session on the legacy of Grenfell. The message was clear: change must be proactive and collaborative.
Key takeaways:
- The government is appointing an interim chief construction manager and working on a white paper for building products.
- The Building Safety Regulator (BSR) is being restructured to improve the gateway process.
- Licensing of Principal Contractors is under consideration.
- Accessibility of Approved Documents is being reviewed, with digital improvements on the horizon.
Who’s Taking the Lead? Demystifying the New Principal Designer Role
Chris Partington’s session clarified the evolving role of the Principal Designer under Building Regulations. It’s distinct from the CDM Principal Designer and carries its own set of responsibilities.
Key takeaways:
- The Building Safety Act applies to all buildings under building regulations, not just HRRBs.
- Duty holders must possess the SKEB (Skills, Knowledge, Experience, and Behaviours).
- Clients must understand their responsibilities and ensure the right people are in place.
- Subcontracting competency is possible, but verification is essential.
- Transparency tools like building regulations trackers can enhance collaboration.
Final Reflections
UKCW 2025 reinforced the urgency of embedding safety, competency, and accountability into every layer of construction. The sessions were a powerful reminder that culture change starts with leadership, and that the industry must move from reactive compliance to proactive excellence.
As we look ahead, the challenge is clear: build safer, smarter, and together.