In many of my previous columns, I have emphasised that collaboration is not optional, but essential, if Scotland’s construction and built environment sector is to thrive. 

It is one thing to talk about the importance of collaboration; it is another to build it into how we actually work across the sector, roles, and institutions.

That’s why I am delighted to share that the CIOB in Scotland is joining several partners, led by Historic Environment Scotland, to deliver a full-day, cross-sector event: Building Connections: Shaping the Future of Construction. 

This event has truly been co-designed and with the goal to bring together people from diverse roles across the sector to connect, learn from each other, and develop practical approaches to shared challenges.

Excitingly, the event has completely sold out! To my mind, this level of interest in attending is itself a strong (and exceptionally positive!) signal. Clearly, there is real appetite across the sector to break down silos, to listen to diverse voices, and to act together. 

So, what do we hope to achieve on the day? And what comes next?

What we want to achieve

First, we are dedicating time to honest conversations about the challenges facing the industry today: uncertain or uneven pipelines, skills and training shortfalls, project delays, quality risks, and the particular demands of working with historic fabric and conservation. Identifying these issues individually is one step. Seeing how they intersect on real projects and exploring solutions across roles is the next step, and one of our objectives for the day.

Second, we aim to foster mutual understanding and ask attendees what they see in their work day-to-day. What pressures do different roles face on and off-site? How do procurement practices, regulation, and legislation shape what teams can deliver? By better understanding points of misalignment, we can start to consider mechanisms and means of mitigating these challenges. 

Third, we hope the event will help lay the foundations for ongoing, collaborative learning. We intend to use the feedback and insights shared on the 24th to develop and inform future events and learning opportunities. We want this launch event to be a stepping stone; a sign that Scotland’s built environment sector is committed to collaboration, with shared responsibility.

What’s to come 

Unfortunately, we can’t expand attendance for this first event. So, for those that didn’t get a ticket this time around, I want to stress that this is not a one-off. We intend to learn from the ‘Building Connections’ event, collect feedback and ideas, and return in 2026 with broader reach and a forward plan.

For those attending, please bring your concerns, frustrations and ideas. To those who could not secure a place this time: I hope you will engage with the outputs, follow what emerges, and join us in the future. 

If we can shift from “good to talk together” to “we know how to build together”, then we can start to see our ambitions realised more coherently, more equitably, and more effectively. 

I look forward to sharing reflections, insights and next steps after 24 October — and to keeping the momentum going, together!