Brexit, Hackitt and the digital takeover to headline GAI conference

Three possible seismic changes to face UK construction will be discussed at this Friday’s (18th May) Guild of Architectural Ironmongers (GAI) Conference.

Chaired by GAI president, David Stacey, the annual conference will feature three experts talking about the financial state of the construction industry, the Hackitt Review and the impact of new digital developments.

The event will take place at the DoubleTree Hilton Hotel at the Tower of London – register by clicking here.

Michael Dall, lead economist at Barbour ABI (pictured), will offer an economic overview of construction, assisting attendees to make more informed decisions when considering future business.

Since joining Barbour ABI in 2013, Michael has provided monthly updates to clients and to Building magazine on the key economic, political and financial changes that influence the UK economy and construction.

He said the construction sector is currently ‘steady, but certainly not buoyant’.

“The uncertainty for the UK economy caused by Brexit is having an impact and the skills shortage is hindering the supply of skilled workers. These are both huge factors hindering growth.

“Against this backdrop of uncertainty and the expected tightening up of the entire construction supply chain following the Hackitt Review, architectural ironmongers will have an increasing role to play to ensure that the ironmongery specified and installed always meets stringent industry standards and requirements,” he said.

Jon O’Neill OBE, MD of the Fire Protection Association (FPA), will be presenting on the Hackitt Review; looking at building and fire safety regulations following the Grenfell Tragedy and related compliance and enforcement issues.

The closing speaker of the conference will be Andreas Haeberli, chief technology officer at dormakaba; he will look at how digital transformation is affecting the architectural ironmongery industry.

The GAI Conference is sponsored this year by dormakaba, GEZE (UK), Lorient, CES, HOPPE (UK), ASSA ABLOY Ltd, and Exova (UK).

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