The Building Alliance organises 4 Technical meetings per annum with a mixture of online and in person forums

This brings together the technical expertise in over the breath of the membership to consider changes in policy and building regulations and looks to identify ways to deliver cost effective sustainable housing solutions to support the industry and provide customers with high quality long lasting comfortable homes.

The futures group has been running for some 15 years and is highly respected by industry and government as a forum that brings together a wide cross-section of industry including policymakers, planners, regulators, manufacturers, builders’ merchants and home builders of all sizes.

Now held online this forum happens four times a year with guest speakers from government and other policy makers and influencers in attendance.
 

The Housing summit is the only low-cost forum that seeks to unite a very wide cross section of decision makers and influencers from the housing sector.

For the last 15 years this exciting event has been hosted by Arup.

Delegates hear about the macro economy from the Bank of England as well as housing market update from Savills. Other speakers cover a range of current issues.

The 2026 event will take place on the 9th October 2026.
Further details including the booking form will appear on this website in due course.

This event, staged at West Midlands Fire HQ in Birmingham annually is a response to the Grenfell Tragedy and ensures that the industry remains accountable and focused on continual improvement as we must never forget 72 people who tragically lost their lives.

The event is staged in conjunction with the West Midlands social housing group which is chaired by the CEO of the Building Alliance.

Building Alliance and Centre for Future Homes will deliver a series of STEAM Challenges 2025 from the purpose-built STEAMhouse facility on Birmingham City University campus in Birmingham.

STEAMhouse is a fantastic new building designed to ensure we achieve a major step change in collaboration across a wide range of stakeholders and sectors. Delegates can expect to be fully involved in understanding problems and creating solutions that are both viable and practical for implementation.

Research

The Building Alliance and the Centre for Future Homes are committed to securing the data and insights to allow policy makers to make evidence-based decisions.

The UK does not have enough construction workers and professionals such as Planners and Building Control Officers,  to build the 1.5 million homes the government has promised, industry leaders have warned. Tens of thousands of new recruits are needed for bricklaying, groundworks plumbing, electrical and carpentry and the supporting professions to get anywhere near the numbers required.

This is an opportunity rather than a threat as we seek to reach out to address youth unemployment and upskill our existing workforce. The construction industry can unlock the future of social inclusion and wellbeing and should be a t the heart of this current governments Renew Britain mission.

Between August and October 2024 there were 604,000 young people aged 16 to 24 who were unemployed, 84,000 more than the previous year. The unemployment rate for young people was 13.9%, up from 12.2% from the year before. There were 3.74 million young people aged 16 to 24 in employment, 5,000 less than the previous year. The employment rate for young people was 50.9%, down from 51.9% the year before.

 

There were 3.01 million young people aged 16 to 24 who were economically inactive, 55,000 more than the previous year. This is close to the highest recorded number since the current series began in 1992. However, the inactivity rate for young people was 40.9%, the same as the previous year.

Construction has a vital role to play in the growth of UK economy, and it is vital that we persuade talented individuals of all ages and backgrounds to join the industry. 

The UK construction industry needs to recruit at least one million people over the next 15 years in roles ranging from bricklayers and site managers through to sustainability consultants, planners, lorry drivers and architects. By bringing together education,  employers, students and construction professionals for the first time we hope to play a key role in facilitating this process while helping people to find rewarding, long-term career opportunities.

Unlike many other industries AI will not directly replace skilled workers so choosing a career in the wider construction sector will help to future proof young people’s prospects.