Six months on from the launch of the UK BIM Alliance’s “BIM in the UK: Past, Present & Future,” which targets BIM adoption levels of 75% across the supply and demand chain, in the opening keynote, Anne Kemp, Director of BIM Strategy and Development at Atkins and Chair of the UK BIM Alliance, will review how the strategy is developing.

Speaking ahead of the conference, Anne said: “The UK’s position as a global leader in the digitisation of the built environment is well established, but challenges to adoption of BIM remain. The UK BIM Alliance is delighted to support this key conference as we attempt to drive the continued implementation of BIM Level 2.”

Following the opening keynote, a panel discussion - which includes Founding Director of The B1M, Fred Mills - will focus on the role of professional bodies in creating a future facing built environment industry. It’s an opportunity to debate and discuss with the panel, the ground level concerns and barriers to BIM adoption in an industry comprised mainly of small and medium sized businesses.

The overarching theme for this year’s event centres around working towards Digital Built Britain. At present, a key challenge for the construction sector is how to match digital progress made by other industries – a topic to be covered by Mark Bew MBE, Chairman, UK Government BIM Task Group in the closing keynote. Combining the Digital Economy, Smart Cities and the “Internet of Things”, all against a backdrop of diminishing resources, urbanisation and global competition, the vision for Digital Built Britain is undoubtedly ambitious, but is it deliverable?

Acknowledging the ever increasing importance placed on the operational stages of a project, new to this year’s conference will be a dedicated breakout sessions for facilities managers, which are set to be led by Christine Gausden, Chair of BIM4FM. Alongside this, David Philp, Global BIM/IM Consultancy Director at AECOM will chair sessions specifically for cost and project managers.

Other key areas to be covered include the importance of ensuring security in common data environments, with a session to be led by Hugh Boyes, Cyber Security Lead at the Institution of Engineering and Technology. Also, the increasing use of geospatial data in BIM projects will be outlined.

Throughout the day, delegates will hear expert advice and guidance on effective routes to early engagement and collaboration, and best practice approaches to project handover. Plus, they will receive updates on key guidance designed to inform and improve BIM practices.