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Journey to Net Zero Panel - L-R: Liam McEvoy, Sustain IQ, Karen McShane, Karen McShane Ltd, Orla Crothers, NI Water, Barry McCarron, KORE Retrofit, and Sarah Travers, host.
Skills Panel – L-R: Rachel Tohill, Farrans Construction, Barry Neilson, CITB NI, Graeme Wilkinson, Department for the Economy, Fionnuala McKenna, Construction Futures, and Kathleen O’Hare, NI Skills Council.
Mark Spence, Chief Executive, CEF.
Elected Representative Panel – L-R: Peter McReynolds MLA, Alliance, Matthew O’Toole MLA, SDLP, Peter Martin MLA, DUP, and Chris Hazzard MP, Sinn Féin.
L-R: Janet Deane, Deane Public Works, Gail Kinkead, CEF, Ashleen Feeney, KPMG, Mark Spence, CEF, Sarah Travers, host, and Fionnuala McKenna (Construction Futures).
Sarah Travers, host.
emphasised that, while the industry is ready to deliver, it requires policy certainty, long-term investment and meaningful planning reform to unlock its full potential. Those themes are central to Delivery, Not Delay, which calls for a draft Programme for Government by May 2027, multi-year capital budgets, a long- term investment strategy to 2050 and comprehensive planning reform. The manifesto also advocates legally-binding, long-term funding for Northern Ireland Water, the creation of an infrastructure transformation fund, support for delivering 10,000 new homes annually and a more streamlined approach to skills and apprenticeships. The opening political debate featured Chris Hazzard MP, Peter Martin MLA, Peter McReynolds MLA and Matthew O’Toole MLA, who discussed planning reform, infrastructure investment, housing delivery and the funding challenges facing Northern Ireland Water. While perspectives differed, there was broad recognition of the need to create conditions that will enable investment and accelerate project delivery. The conference also examined the industry’s journey to net zero. Karen McShane (Karen McShane Ltd), Barry
McCarron (KORE Retrofit), Orla Crothers (NI Water) and Liam McEvoy (SustainIQ) explored carbon reduction, retrofit, sustainable infrastructure investment and the increasing importance of environmental performance across construction supply chains. Addressing another critical challenge, a dedicated skills panel brought together Kathleen O’Hare (NI Skills Council), Fionnuala McKenna (Construction Futures), Graeme Wilkinson (Department for the Economy), Barry Neilson (CITB NI) and Rachel Tohill (Farrans Construction). Discussions focused on strengthening apprenticeship pathways, improving careers awareness and ensuring education and training better reflect industry demand. Looking ahead, internationally- recognised AI specialist Suzanne Hill delivered a keynote address, exploring how artificial intelligence is already improving productivity, decision- making and efficiency across the construction sector. She was joined by Fiona Graham (Payapps), Peter Monaghan (Southern Regional College) and Brendan Rogers (Concara Digital Transformation) for a panel discussion
examining how digital technologies are transforming project delivery, collaboration and business operations, while considering the opportunities AI presents for the industry’s future. The event concluded with a networking lunch, providing delegates with an opportunity to continue discussions and strengthen industry connections. CEF’s inaugural Annual Conference successfully combined policy, industry insight and practical discussion at a pivotal time for the sector. Together with the launch of Delivery, Not Delay, it reinforced the Federation’s commitment to working with industry and government to ensure Northern Ireland’s construction sector has the policies, investment and skilled workforce needed to deliver the homes, infrastructure and economic growth the region requires. For more information on next year’s conference, please contact Vincentl@cefni.co.uk For more information, contact the Construction Employers Federation: T: +44 (0)28 9087 7143 E: mail@cefni.co.uk www.cefni.co.uk Want to know more?
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