Constructing The Future

You're invited to join leaders from across government, education and industry at a landmark event designed to address the region's pressing skills challenges.

This event aims to tackle the region’s skills challenges by showcasing innovation, strengthening collaboration between education and industry, and encouraging employer engagement with training and apprenticeships. It will provide a platform for industry leaders to share insights, inspire future talent across the South West, and enable businesses to display their contributions while engaging with stakeholders. Delegates’ views on solving the skills crisis will be captured through live feedback, helping to drive investment in modern technologies, young people, and training providers.

Why Attend:

• Discover innovative solutions and practical ideas to tackle the skills crisis
• Strengthen collaboration between industry and education
• Hear from leading industry experts
• Take part in panel discussions and live delegate feedback
• Network with employers, training providers and policymakers

EXCITING NEWS! OUR FIRST WAVE OF SPEAKERS HAVE NOW BEEN ANNOUNCED

Keynote Speakers
Setting the Scene: The National Picture

Danny Clarke, England Engagement Director, CITB
Joe Wharton, Assistant Director, Homes England

Panel Session 1 - Building The Future: Industry and Housing Response

Peter Sadler, Managing Director, Vistry
Rob Woolcock, Director of Operations, Willmott Dixon
Colin Palmer, Managing Director, 3West and Chair, Home Builders Federation
Peter Everitt, Regional Bid Manager, Kier and Chair, Build Torbay
Euan Stronge, Director, Coreus and Chair, Building Greater Exeter

Panel Session 2 - The Local Economic Picture: Funding, Growth, and Regeneration

Ian Collinson, Strategic Director, Place, Exeter City Council David Carter, Director of Regeneration, Torbay Council Soo Brizell, LSIP Project Executive, Devon Chamber Ann Vandermeulen, Regional Business and Stakeholder Manager, Federation of Small Businesses

Panel Session 3 - Skills for the Future: How Education Responds

Mike Blakeley, Executive Director of Apprenticeships, Partnerships and Future Skills, Exeter College David Ashford, People and Culture Director, Ward Williams Kevin Harris, CEO, Constructing Excellence South West Alex Bickham, Managing Director, MW Benney and Vice Chair, Build Torbay Bryn Posey, Retrofit Technical Manager, Bell and Vice Chair, Building Greater Exeter