NEC annual conference planned for mid-summer’s day in London

The 2024 NEC annual conference will take place on 21 June at One Great George Street in London, UK. The year’s theme is ‘striving for excellence, innovation and collaboration in the implementation of global projects’.

The influential one-day event will feature high-profile speakers presenting NEC case studies, updates on NEC contracts, regional developments and practical advice and strategies for successful NEC contract delivery.

Following a welcome by John Welch, NEC Users’ Group chair, Simon Corben, head of profession and director at NHS Estates and Facilities, will give a keynote address on setting high standards.

Programme highlights

The morning sessions will include an update on NEC Contracts from Ian Heaphy of the NEC4 contract board and a presentation on using NEC with the FAC-1 framework alliance contract by NEC contract board chair Peter Higgins and David Mosey, law professor at King’s College London.

Welch will then present a session on ‘levelling up’ and its social-economic dimension. He will explore the UK government’s role in achieving levelling up through infrastructure and investment in new areas, touching on leveraging existing infrastructure, innovative research and using NEC’s collaborative contracts to enhance social values and boost regional productivity.

Lydia McGuinness, site manager at Wates Construction, will next offer insights on using artificial intelligence (AI) to tackle industry challenges, including integrated it into NEC contracts to enhance efficiency.

Case studies and practical workshops In the afternoon there will be two practical workshops on adjudication under W1 and W2 clauses, and the practical application of Option X22 on Early Contractor Involvement. These ever-popular sessions provide an opportunity to discuss best practice in the use of NEC with colleagues and peers.

Also after lunch Siu Fa Ng, Nic Stazicker and Andy Gufogg of England’s Environment Agency will share their strategies for carbon dioxide reduction in construction through collaborative frameworks and cultural shifts, including incentivising emissions reduction using NEC clause X29 on climate change.

Trudi Sully, impact lead at Mott MacDonald, will discuss the progress with the UK government’s Transforming Infrastructure Performance roadmap to 2030. The afternoon programme will conclude with a presentation on maximising social value in infrastructure.

As ever, there will be opportunities for attendees to network with industry experts and NEC users and exhibitors during breaks and at a drinks reception.

For more information and to register, click here.