Wright Hassall’s conference ‘UK construction industry – open for business’

Left to right - Tony Bingham, Philip Harris (Wright Hassall), David Emery (Virtechs) and Richard Threlfall (KPMG)

A leading adviser to the construction industry maintains huge international opportunities are open to the sector – despite the UK’s impending Brexit.

Philip Harris, who heads up the construction team at law firm Wright Hassall, said the UK construction market is holding up well with new opportunities opening across the globe.

Harris addressed around 80 professionals from all strands of the construction sector who attended Wright Hassall’s conference ‘UK construction industry – open for business’ held at Maple House in Birmingham.

“Post Brexit there will be huge opportunities for the construction industry,” said Harris.

“What we are seeing in the UK market is very encouraging. There are lots of opportunities available to work in markets not previously looked at before, and we don’t see this changing.

“It’s important to remain optimistic and take advantage of growth opportunities at the right times, and over the past few months we’ve certainly seen encouraging confidence across the market.

“There is some fantastic work being done across the construction industry, regionally and nationally, and this excellence was highlighted through a series of expert talks at the conference.”

An expert panel of speakers included 3PM’s Patrick Watson, project manager of space and marine research and training facility Blue Abyss and David Emery from building information modelling (BIM) experts Virtechs.

Ian Harrabin from Complex Development Projects told the conference about the highly successful regeneration projects his company has been involved in across the Midlands including Fargo Village in Coventry.

There were talks from barrister and arbitrator, Tony Bingham, Richard Threlfall, UK head of infrastructure, building and construction at KPMG and Dr Donato Masi from Warwick Manufacturing Group.