#SCAFFCON24

Registration for the event begins at 8.15am where you will be welcomed to the conference by the

team and have an opportunity to network with other delegates and engage with the exhibitors

that are in attendance. A buffet breakfast will be available upon arrival, and will include tea, coffee

and bacon rolls, along with vegetarian options, and lighter options for those who would prefer.

Our compere for the day Richard Bond will welcome all delegates, exhibitors and guest speakers to this inaugural event. This will be followed by an outline of the format of the day and close with what delegates can look forward to.

We are pleased to welcome Deb Madden of the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) as our first keynote speaker of the day. Delegates will get to hear first-hand about how the CITB can support with developing and nurturing people to get the best possible results for their businesses and industry.

This talk offers an analysis of the economic landscape, focusing on the scaffolding sector's financial state in 2023. We delve into opportunities for growth and sustainability through strategic funding options such as Asset Finance, Development Finance, Commercial Mortgages, and R&D Tax Credits. Gain insights into key trends, challenges, and actionable financial approaches to navigate the evolving market and ensure long-term success.

As the construction industry becomes more marketing savvy, Lee will be discussing the

importance of building a robust brand strategy for businesses looking to gain a genuine

commercial advantage.

With many scaffolding businesses operating in similar ways, it’s increasingly difficult to

differentiate businesses from others in the marketplace. Lee will show you that this couldn’t

be further from the truth, and in this session he will encourage you to ‘own your story’.

Whilst there’s always merit in a company promoting their ‘unique selling points’, true

differentiation is only gained by those businesses that invest time and budget in creating a

credible brand story about their company, that their clients can relate with.

So what’s a Brand Story you might ask? In this session, Lee will demonstrate why a brand

is so much more than a logo, catchy slogans, or a nice design. By showing you examples of

a well-founded brand story, he’ll help you think about your brand positioning to meet your

desired customers.

Lee will show why businesses need to gain maximum buy-in from all stakeholders and staff.

Factually, businesses that neglect their internal brand run the risk of lower motivation and

productivity from their people.

We will take a break from the agenda mid-morning for tea, coffee and biscuits. During this time

you will be able to meet with the range of exhibitors that we have joining us at the conference,

engage with some of our key speakers and invited guests, and network with your industry peers.

Rico will talk through the results of a report by the National Federation of Builders (NFB) produced in conjunction with the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) and the People’s Partnership. The ‘Neurodiversity in Construction’ report is a major new study, which identifies the challenges neurodiverse people face in the workplace, and provides a set of valuable recommendations for industry and employers, on how to better support neurodiversity in construction.

Ever wished that an expert could just explain Health & Safety basics to you in plain English, and let you know how to drive your business forward with better Health & Safety? Then you’ve come to the right place. In this session led by our partner Citation’s Health & Safety expert Michael Brown, you’ll get exclusive guidance on everything you need to do to make sure your Health and Safety policies, procedures, risk assessments and employee training are up to mark. He’ll also share insight into the HSE top focus areas and what they mean for your business so you can have peace of mind when the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) come to call. And that’s not all, to help you gain the advantage Michael will touch on how to use Health & Safety as your secret weapon when it comes to tendering for those big contracts. 

Did you know that at least five new acts that will affect your business have recently become law, with several more in the pipeline? 

If that’s news to you, don’t worry, you’re not alone. From carer’s leave to changes to redundancy laws, Citation’s Professional Support Solicitor, Catherine Hare, will be on hand to take you through all the changes already confirmed and those that are likely to come in the future, including changes to holiday pay and entitlement. 

And that’s not all, Catherine will also share guidance on right to work checks so you can be totally sure you’re on the right side of the law.

National Scaffolding Week provides opportunities to highlight the achievements and innovations

of organisations and individuals in the scaffolding sector. During this session we will be recognising some of the heroes of the scaffolding sector and crowning them this year’s Scaff Stars!

We will break for lunch where there will be a buffet served with orange juice and mineral water.

During this time you will be able to meet with the range of exhibitors that we have joining us at

the conference, and engage with your industry peers.

Considerations for businesses which operate commercial vehicles and specifically the obligations on business owners and leaders as Operator License holders to ensure their fleet operations are compliant and their vehicles and drivers are fit for the road.

As national legal partner for the Scaffolding Association, Holmes & Hills specialist construction solicitors will return to the stage to identify areas where attendees may be at a contractual stumbling block and provide the audience with top tips on taking back the advantage.

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The focus of Holmes & Hills Construction Division’s talk will be on dispute avoidance with a helpful insight into how to resolve disputes if they arise.

Topics to be discussed, include:

• Unknowingly agreeing on contractual terms
• Where a term you ‘think’ you have agreed to isn’t binding
• Improving your ability to contract on the terms you want
• How not to short-change yourself with the payment process
• What to do if it does go wrong

Throughout the session, attendees are invited to send through questions to be covered in a comprehensive Q&A session at the end of live discussion, this proved to be extremely popular in 2022.

To wrap up the event our compere Richard will recap some of the key points from the day’s discussions and thank all of the delegates, exhibitors and guest speakers for taking the time to attend the very first scaffolding conference, and wish you all safe travels home.