NEC annual conference will focus on investing in sustainable infrastructure

The theme of this year’s conference is ‘investing in sustainable infrastructure’. It will feature presentations on how the effective use of NEC contracts can deliver better, greener project solutions that support the UK’s 2050 net zero greenhouse gas emissions target. It will also showcase examples of NEC being used for sustainable projects across sectors and around the world.

Keynote address

The keynote address will be delivered by Mark Thurston, ICE chair of the UK Infrastructure Client Group, who will focus on digitalisation and co-operation between government and industry. Building on this, Shy Jackson, partner of Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner, will discuss how NEC supports the UK government’s recommendations in The Construction Playbook. Ian Heaphy of the NEC4 Contract Board will then introduce the new secondary option X29 designed to tackle climate change, and provide guidance on how it is intended to operate. There will be further presentations of industry case studies and best practice for using NEC in specific sectors.

In the afternoon we will be running engaging and interactive workshop sessions which will look at practical advice on day-to-day management of the contracts.

Awards ceremony

The conference will conclude with our everpopular NEC awards ceremony. The awards have been renamed the Martin Barnes Awards in honour of the ‘father of NEC’, who passed away earlier this year. They recognise the great collaborative work carried out by individuals, teams, projects and organisations around the world.