Construction Disrupted Episode 112 - Women and the Wharf are Winning (22.04.26) Constructing Excellence AI Roundtable Registration (22.04.26 @ 2pm) In this episode, we examine the conflicting perspectives on the impact of the Middle East conflict, celebrate the surge in women completing construction apprenticeships, and hear from Canary Wharf’s development director about the estate’s remarkable transformation. Let's do this. Two conflicting reports on the impact of the Middle East conflict Middle East conflict to have ‘limited impact’ on full-year results, says Barratt Redrow Barratt Redrow, a leading UK housebuilder, has stated that the Middle East conflict will have only a limited effect on its full-year 2026 results. The company reported a solid third quarter, with a resilient reservation rate and strong forward sales. CEO David Thomas highlighted Barratt Redrow’s proven ability to navigate uncertainty, maintaining a 2% build cost inflation forecast for 2026. However, analysts urge caution, noting that current reservation rates may be supported by buyers using previously secured, lower-priced mortgages. The company acknowledges that higher energy costs could drive up material prices in 2027 and will provide further updates in July. Conflict in Middle East causes construction sector uncertainty In contrast, other industry voices are more cautious. Consultants warn that the conflict could lead to higher energy and material costs, impacting project pricing and contractors’ willingness to take on new work. The sector is closely monitoring the situation, aware that the conflict’s trajectory could quickly alter forecasts and disrupt project pipelines. The overall mood is one of vigilance, as stakeholders weigh the risks of cost inflation and possible delays against the need to maintain momentum in a challenging market. Women completing construction apprenticeships have tripled since 2018 The UK construction industry is seeing a significant shift in gender diversity. According to the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB), the number of women starting construction apprenticeships rose from 1,450 in 2018 to 2,410 in 2025, and completions increased from 340 to 910. CITB and partners like The Skills Centre have invested in training and work placements, with 182 women trained for construction employment in 2025 alone. The Women and Work All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) released a report in 2025 focusing on strategies to break down barriers for women entering construction. With the industry needing 47,000 additional workers annually, diversity is seen as a solution to the skills gap. Deb Madden, Executive Director at CITB, emphasized the importance of retaining women in the sector and ensuring their apprenticeships lead to long-term, secure careers. ‘It was never dying.’ Canary Wharf’s development director on the resurgence of the Docklands estate Canary Wharf, once considered in decline, is experiencing a remarkable resurgence. Chief development officer Tom Venner rejects the narrative of decline, describing how the estate has transformed over the past five to six years. Originally finance-focused, Canary Wharf is now diversifying into residential, life sciences, and leisure. By 2028, only 55% of the estate will be finance-related, down from over 90% in the 1990s. The area now boasts more than 3,500 residents, over 300 retailers, hotels, and vibrant weekend activity. In 2025, the estate recorded its highest-ever footfall, with 72.6 million visitors. Major projects include JP Morgan’s new European headquarters, a three-million-square-foot development by Foster & Partners, and the transformation of the HSBC tower into a mixed-use space with a hotel and leisure facilities. Venner highlighted investments in public spaces, amenities, and sustainability, as well as adaptability in the face of challenges such as the collapse of modular construction firm Caledonian. Canary Wharf continues to attract major tenants and remains a key player in London’s property market. Bios Ryan Jones - SLG Agency For almost 20 years, Ryan’s focus has been on helping brands in the construction and manufacturing sectors tell their story. His career began in PR, working for global businesses across a variety of sectors, before opting to focus on construction and the built environment. In his role as Managing Director, Ryan works to ensure that SLG Agency continues to be one of the construction industry's leading specialist strategic and creative agencies, having seen its work recognised by the likes of Campaign, Marketing Week and The Drum in recent years. Ryan is regularly asked to speak at trade shows and events, and to contribute thought leadership pieces to trade media. He is also a member of several industry advisory boards, including Constructing Excellence and the Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce. His passion for the construction sector has seen him work with clients on CSR campaigns that tackle the sector’s public perception, culminating in him recently launching a not-for-profit called Deconstruction. Peter Sumpton - buildDifferent Peter is a construction–marketing strategist and co-host of Construction Disrupted. With two decades’ experience spanning manufacturers, contractors and agencies, he helps organisations swap scattergun activity for clear strategy, joined-up planning and measurable outcomes. His approach is practical and plain-spoken: cut the noise, focus on what moves the numbers, and build repeatable systems that teams can actually use. Having seen first-hand how unfocused tactics waste time and budget, Peter works with leaders to align commercial goals, customer insight and content so marketing supports delivery rather than distracting from it. Peter's passion lies in diagnosing organisations' marketing functions' capabilities and existing market, assembling what’s required to create a functional strategy, fit for purpose and scalable. Marketing should create value, not just cost, and Peter’s work is about making that the norm.
