Constructive conversations: Platforms, platform thinking and the future of building

Constructive conversations: Platforms, platform thinking and the future of building

The Transforming Construction Network Plus is delighted to announce a new series of online events: Constructive Conversations. These webinars are designed to enhance the dialogue between academics, industry and policy-makers on areas of growing importance to the sector.

Building on our international academic webinars and our industry digests, the first in this series of conversations will explore the role of platforms in the transformation of construction. The event will consider the value that platform thinking can bring to organisations, the role of digital in delivering platform transformation, and what is happening in the industry around platforms right now.

Led by N+ Research Fellow Dr Kell Jones, from University College London, the event will feature guests from industry and academia:

• Dr Luigi Mosca, N+ Research Fellow, Imperial College London
• Trudi Sully, Impact Director for Manufacturing, the Construction Innovation Hub
• Toby Uppington, Senior Vice President, AECOM

Speakers will offer key insights on the ongoing transformation in the construction sector and the role of platforms. This will be followed by around 25 minutes of conversation exploring the topics raised, informed by audience Q&A, and moderated by the chair.

A recording of the talks and discussion will be available to watch online after the live event. Registration for this event will close on Tuesday 23 June.

Dr Kell Jones 

Dr Kell Jones is a Research fellow for the Transforming Construction Network Plus, based in the Bartlett School of Construction & Project Management, University College London. He has a background in Architectural Technology, and his doctoral thesis explored how to positively influence the innovation adoption decision in construction projects. 

Dr Luigi Mosca

Dr Luigi Mosca is a postdoctoral research fellow at Imperial College London for the Transforming Construction Network Plus. His research interests lie at the intersection of organisation theory and strategy. In particular, he focuses on organizational aspects of innovative business models.

Trudy Sully

Trudi Sully is the Impact Director for Manufacturing for the Construction Innovation Hub - a £72m programme funded by Government through the UKRI Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund. The Hub is a catalyst for change in the way buildings and infrastructure are designed, manufactured, integrated and connected within our built environment.

Trudi works with key industry groups, contractors, clients, supply chain companies and across Whitehall, to provide critical insight and influence over the programme’s strategic planning to ensure delivery of impact, value for money, and to evidence transformation at scale. With over 20 years of experience of innovation management, strategic stakeholder engagement and transformational change programmes in both public and private sector roles Trudi offers a rare breadth of perspective to support transformation in the construction sector. 

Toby Uppington

Toby Uppington is a proven industry leader with cross sector experience in developing and implementing both business strategy and new ventures by bringing diverse teams together to align on a common sense of purpose, plan for delivery and a clear understanding of successful outcomes.

Toby led AECOM’s advancement into Modern Methods of Construction championing the adoption and commercialization of Digital Design for Manufacture and Assembly processes. This initiative includes the entry into the UK offsite volumetric residential housing fabrication market and from there developing a strategy for geographic and market diversification. Toby is accountable for assuring the company makes available appropriate resource and management support to develop a sustainable new business line for the delivery of high performing products. This has transformed AECOM’s digital design process including competence to fabrication specification in partnership with a world-class architect in RSH+P. It has required collaboration with a suite of innovative materials providers for offsite assembly and subsequent installation on sites to meet the exacting needs of diverse future residents and building occupants. The learnings from this initiative are directly transferable to adjacent markets such as transport infrastructure.

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