At the end of September, the GCS team headed to the NEC Birmingham for UK Construction Week 2025 (UKCW), the UK’s biggest built environment event and a real highlight in the construction calendar.
This year marked the 10th anniversary of UKCW, with the theme “Where Specification Meets Innovation.” Over three packed days, we immersed ourselves in the latest ideas, regulations, and technologies shaping the future of construction, and just as importantly, reconnected with clients, associates, and partners from across the sector.
What stood out for us
One of the biggest takeaways was how quickly the industry is moving toward whole-life carbon accountability. Design standards are tightening, carbon targets are becoming more ambitious, and by 2030 nearly every project will need to fully address sustainability from end to end. For GCS, this reinforced how vital it is to stay ahead of the curve in our work with clients.
We also made time to attend some of the main stage sessions, which offered a wealth of practical insight.
Net Zero or Bust focused on real strategies for decarbonising construction through sustainable materials, smarter design, and retrofit solutions, all central to how GCS is evolving our own project approach.
Infrastructure at the Crossroads examined the state of UK infrastructure one year on from the general election, highlighting opportunities and challenges ahead for public investment.
Connect to Change explored how system-wide thinking can transform the way we manage public estates, from refurbishment to replacement, to deliver long-term social impact.
These sessions reminded us that the journey toward a sustainable built environment isn’t just about new materials and methods, but about collaboration, policy, and shared accountability across the whole supply chain.
Innovation through digital thinking
Alongside the sustainability themes, the discussions and case studies we explored at Digital Construction Week 2025 earlier this year tied in perfectly with the conversations happening at UKCW. Both events underlined that the future of construction will be shaped by people and collaboration just as much as by technology.
Across sessions from leading contractors, designers, and digital specialists, one message stood out clearly:
“Collaboration is the tool, not just the outcome.”
From 4D planning and digital rehearsals to performance dashboards and live project reporting, the emphasis was always on using technology to solve real-world challenges, improving coordination, safety, and decision-making. Teams on major infrastructure projects such as HS2 and Everton Stadium shared how virtual simulations and shared data platforms are helping reduce risk, eliminate rework, and boost efficiency before work even begins on site.
What resonated most for us at GCS was that digital transformation only works when it’s human-centric. The best tools succeed when they’re designed around real workflows, backed by clear communication and training. Technology can support better outcomes, but people make it happen.
These insights reinforce GCS’s ongoing commitment to digital adoption that is practical, inclusive, and built around client needs rather than novelty.
Great to see familiar faces
One of the best parts of UKCW was catching up with the people behind the projects. It was fantastic to reconnect with clients and associates, many of whom we’ve collaborated with on projects across the UK. The event gave us a chance to share experiences, exchange ideas, and talk about how digital and sustainable innovation can work hand in hand on real sites.
We also met new contacts across the industry, including suppliers, consultants, and innovators, whose work is driving change in exciting ways. The conversations reinforced the sense that we’re part of a sector that’s not just adapting, but actively shaping a smarter, greener future.
Looking ahead
We left Birmingham feeling inspired and energised. Between UKCW and Digital Construction Week, one thing is clear: construction is evolving faster than ever, and collaboration remains at the heart of that progress.
As sustainability and digital innovation continue to converge, GCS will stay focused on applying what we’ve learned, bringing practical, people-first solutions to every project we deliver.
A huge thank you to everyone who took the time to meet with us at the show. We look forward to continuing those conversations and to seeing many of you again next year as we keep driving innovation, collaboration, and progress across the built environment.
