Construction in the South East & London 2016 and beyond

Total construction output across the UK between Q2 2014 and Q2 2015 was almost £140 billion and London and the South East accounted for 35.8%* of this figure.

Looking forward London and the South East are expected to see a combined annual construction output growth of 6.7% from 2015-2019. Driven by a mixture of new works and repair and maintenance, the region remains a focal point for all professionals and suppliers targeting this burgeoning industry.

The pipeline in the South East & London

The South East will continue to benefit from the on-going £2bn Paramount theme park development on the Swanscombe Peninsula and will also benefit from strong growth in both the public housing and public non-housing sectors. ProCure 21+ projects under which NHS organisation can commission will also provide a steady pipeline of work throughout the SE and London. 

Additionally there is £122m funding in place from the Affordable Housing Programme for development from 2015 to 2018. A little further afield there is Borden, Hampshire, the proposed £250m eco town and the redevelopment of Broadmoor Hospital  at a cost of £298m.**

“By 2019, construction employment is forecast to reach 400,000 in the South East.”**

London will remain buoyant with the continuation of infrastructure projects such as the Victoria station upgrade, Thameslink and Crossrail  - all on course to be completed in in 2018, along with the start of the Thames tideway project in 2016. Large, shorter-term retail projects including the £1bn expansion of the Westfield mall and of the redevelopment of Selfridges, Oxford Street will also ensure construction activity in the capital remains high.

*Source – Scape Group Construction Industry Tracker October 2015
** Source – CITB “Construction Skills Network 2015-2019

Join leading construction companies and come along to the Expo this October

Welcoming nearly 3,000 businesses in 2015, the Construction Expo saw many leading firms in attendance. 

Construction Expo 2016 

Construction Expo provides the industry with a highly focused gateway to learn, network and capitalise on the region’s major construction opportunities.

2016 will see speakers from some of the largest main contractors discussing current projects and future opportunities, one of the only “free” meet the buyer events open to both exhibitors and visitors, a comprehensive programme of CPD-approved workshops along with displays of the latest product innovations.

Construction Expo 2016 offers your business a great way to network with other professionals form the South East and across the UK. Find out more about exhibiting by clicking here, or call Penny on 01732 758530. 

5 top tips to make your speed networking session a success

5 top tips to make your speed networking session a success

Most businesses would agree — referrals and face-to-face contact are the best ways to build and nurture business relationships — however, contrary to this many businesses spend many thousands of pounds placing advertising and sending marketing via email or though the post. 

Why you should get involved with speed networking?

If meeting someone is the best way to judge whether you can do business with them why don’t more businesses get involved with networking? Well, for many people it seems to be a little bit of nerves that can keep them away from meetings — so, if a breakfast or lunch seems too daunting how about the best and quickest form of networking — speed networking?

Speed networking is not a new concept, however, in a time when we seem to be spending more and more of our working day communicating online and through email it makes a refreshing and interesting change to your business development strategy. Arguably, speed networking will give you access to more people in one hour than you might normally meet in a month. It’s quite normal to feel a little apprehensive but do a little prep work beforehand those nerves should be calmed.

As ever preparation is key

1. Make sure you have a great opener for each of your pitches — just 10 seconds will do, covering an introduction, what your business is about or what you are looking for.  

2. Try to think about the different types of people and businesses you are going to meet and how you could change your intro to meet their needs — you’ll have far more success if you can slightly tailor your pitch to each person. 

3. Be practical — remember your business cards and a pen to make notes (on the back of each card is a good idea) and remember people’s names!

4. Not everyone is going to seem suitable for you or perhaps be interested in your product or service right now, but, remember to “think outside the box” — the product or service may not be suitable today but what about next month or in year’s time when you have diversified or grown? Consider whether a contact could become a mentor or a partner or a franchisee? The people who gain the most from these sessions are those that are the most open minded. 

5. Although it may seem counter intuitive, do your best to help the people that you meet — try to offer solutions to them and their challenges. You’d be surprised at how this “pay it forward” mentality has helped many businesses — perhaps not immediately but at some point. You’ll impress your new contact and you never know they may well recommend or use you in the future. 

Networking for success

Many of the most successful entrepreneurs are those that have spent their time networking — building trustworthy, reliable contacts across their industry, in support services and a wide variety of geographical locations. Meeting people and developing positive relationships is surely the key to a successful business?

So, hopefully now you should feel a little more prepared for a speed networking session? Well you can book your slot here for the Construction Expo October 8th. And let us know how you get on ……