The Ripple Effect: Small Actions, Big Impact in Construction

How do you create trust, consistency, and a common language across MMC? This roundtable unpacks PAS 8700, the first sector-wide standard for assuring capability and compliance in offsite construction. From fire safety and design for manufacture to procurement and adoption, the panel explores why the PAS matters, how it was built, and what comes next for making it stick in practice.Speakers:Gaynor Tennant – Founder & Chair, Offsite Alliance (Host)Dan Rossiter – BSI (British Standards Institution), Standards LeadMatthew Egan – Architect; Founder of panelised steel frame company; Chair, BSI CB301 (MMC Standards)Nigel Ostime – Architect & Technical Lead, Hawkins\Brown; Chair of RIBA Client Liaison GroupTrudi Sully – Director, Industrialised Construction, Mott MacDonaldSteve McGrail – Fire Engineer, Cooper Reed / BEFS Ltd

What does “sector readiness” really mean when it comes to MMC? This roundtable brings together experts from across design, manufacturing, marketing, and technical standards to explore whether the industry is prepared for growth. From language and taxonomy to procurement, profit margins, approvals, and the looming impact of Gateway 2, the panel unpacks the barriers—and the opportunities—for scaling MMC as just construction, done better.Speakers:Jessie Wild – Host, Housing FestivalMatthew Egan – Architect; Founder of panelised steel frame company; Chair of BSI CB301 (MMC Standards)Laura Blair – Innovaré Offsite, Manufacturing Lead (panelised timber, education sector)Will Jones – Marketing & Digital Director, Saint-Gobain Offsite SolutionsDaniel Leach – CEO, Design for Structures (Civil & Structural Engineers)Steve Marshall – Technical Director, Galaxy Insulation; Co-chair, OA Technical Committee; Member, BSI CB301Audience contributions included:SME housebuilder (utilities & MPAN blockers)John Walker (Walker Simpson Architects)Matt (Czech automation company, 3D concrete printing)Edward (Homes England)Gaynor Tennant (Offsite Alliance)

What does it really take to build competence and capability in construction? In this roundtable, leaders from across training, recruitment, design, manufacturing, and industry bodies share frank views on skills, language, culture, and technology. From AI in training to the need for a “Clarkson’s Farm moment” to make construction relatable, the panel explores how to move from endless reports to action that actually sticks.Speakers:Gaynor Tennant – Founder & Chair, Offsite AlliancePolly Wilkinson – Head, BRE AcademyAbbie Romano – Associate Consultant, Industrialised Design and ConstructionRobert Iles – Director, Opal Flame; Member, CLC People & Skills GroupRhian Newman – Head of Offsite, Thorn Baker Construction RecruitmentAudley English – Architect & Founder, disruptive design/AI training advocateChris Ledson – Head of Operations, Mansfield Building SolutionsChris Griffiths – Marketing Manager (Public Sector), Saint-Gobain Offsite Solutions

In construction, collaboration is no longer optional , it’s survival. In this roundtable, industry leaders cut through the buzzwords and talk honestly about what it takes to work together in a sector still driven by fragmented contracts and competing interests. From trust and risk-sharing to the role of integrators, procurement, and culture, this session gets to the heart of why partnership is the difference between thriving and failing. Packed with sharp insights and real examples, it’s a conversation about building relationships as much as buildings.Join Alison Nicholl, Head of Constructing Excellence, as she hosts a panel featuring:Gavin Robinson – National Business Development Manager, Polypipe Building ServicesEdwin Richards – Product & Business Development, Tata Steel Building SystemsPhil Dufty – Business Development Manager, FramecladNick Cobray – Howard EngineeringAndrew Shepard – Managing Director, IbstockSean Morris – Group Technical Manager, LHC ProcurementMark Fenney – Howmet Fastening Systems

Housing is the biggest challenge of our time and the £39 billion Affordable Homes Programme is the largest investment in a generation. Funding alone won’t fix a system held back by procurement barriers, lowest-cost bidding, and a lack of trust. In this roundtable, leaders from across housing, architecture, and MMC share candid perspectives on what really matters: certainty, long-term partnerships, and building homes at the scale people desperately need.Featuring insights from Edward Joseph (Homes England), Angela Mansell, Paul Ruddick (Reds10), Paul Jones (Rollalong), Lucas Shone (Boutique Modern), and Jimmy Overall.