Hertfordshire’s leading organisations are bringing together new investment, commercial space and skills provision as a unique opportunity for the construction industry at Opportunity Hertfordshire: Building a Sustainable Future on Thursday 5 November.

In a move to boost sustainable growth, the 90-minute conference will outline how Hertfordshire is supporting the smart construction industry, with keynote speeches by Minister for Business and Industry Nadhim Zahawi MP (pictured), as well as Gillian Charlesworth, CEO at BRE Group, which is a global leader in the built environment and is headquartered in the county.

The event is led by Hertfordshire LEP, bringing together partners BRE Group and Hertfordshire Chamber of Commerce, alongside its flagship programme Herts IQ, which is building a cluster of innovative, smart construction companies and supply chain in Hemel Hempstead.

Mark Bretton, Chair of Hertfordshire LEP and the LEP Network said: “Local Enterprise Partnerships are instrumental in helping local economies get firmly back on the route to recovery after the immediate economic impacts of COVID-19, and are supporting the country to build back better, greener, and faster to achieve Net Zero by 2050.

“Enterprise Zones, such as Herts IQ, are big drivers in promoting the formation of innovative green clusters, creating jobs and opportunities for sustainable growth. In Hertfordshire we have a rich heritage in the construction industry and with our strategic location, market access and innovation partners, this is the place for smart construction companies to thrive.”

The interactive, virtual conference will showcase the opportunities Hertfordshire has to offer the construction industry, against the backdrop of the race to Net Zero. It will also give delegates the chance to put questions directly to an expert panel that includes David Williams, Leader of Hertfordshire County Council; Richard Whitehead, Chair of Herts IQ and Managing Director - Building & Places (UK and Ireland) at AECOM, as well as representatives from Hertfordshire’s leading construction companies including Willmott Dixon, EasyBuild and Morgan Sindall.

Briege Leahy, CEO at Hertfordshire Chamber of Commerce, said: “We are delighted to be partnering on the Opportunity Hertfordshire conference with Hertfordshire LEP and BRE to highlight significant construction projects and commercial opportunities to support sustainable growth in the county. This is an important event to help connect our Property & Construction members in Hertfordshire to supply chain opportunities within the county now and into the future.”

Gillian Charlesworth, CEO at BRE Group, said: “As a founding member of Herts IQ and a leading authority on sustainability in construction, BRE is very pleased to support the Opportunity Hertfordshire event. As we look at the challenges of meeting the goal of Net Zero, both in Hertfordshire and more widely across the UK and beyond, we can see the opportunities to create sustainable infrastructure and jobs. This event will bring together key people and businesses as we seek to meet these challenges."

Councillor David Williams, Leader of Hertfordshire County Council, said: “I am really looking forward to attending Thursday’s conference and speaking to some of the companies looking to invest in our county. Hertfordshire is an important local and national economic area and this event will allow us to continue to showcase that, and ensure Hertfordshire really is seen as the county of opportunity.”

Register for your free place at Opportunity Hertfordshire: Building a Sustainable Future.