UK Construction Week Announces Partnership with the Scaffolding Association

February 5, 2025

London, UK — UK Construction Week (UKCW) is proud to announce a new partnership with the Scaffolding Association, one of the UK’s leading scaffolding trade bodies. This collaboration will see the Scaffolding Association play a key role at both UK Construction Week London and UK Construction Week Birmingham later this year, strengthening the event’s commitment to showcasing the latest innovations and best practices in the construction industry.

 

The partnership aims to elevate the conversation around scaffolding, ensuring that safety, standards, and new technological developments remain at the forefront of the UK construction industry. By joining forces, UK Construction Week and the Scaffolding Association will provide an invaluable platform for industry professionals to collaborate, share knowledge, and explore new solutions within the scaffolding sector.


A Partnership Built for Growth and Innovation

For UK Construction Week, this partnership represents a significant step in its mission to bring together all corners of the construction industry. With the Scaffolding Association’s expertise and commitment to raising industry standards, UKCW will benefit from enhanced programming that highlights the importance of scaffolding in the broader construction process.

For the Scaffolding Association, partnering with UK Construction Week presents a unique opportunity to further strengthen its visibility, engage with key stakeholders, and continue its work in improving safety and efficiency across the sector. The association’s presence at the event will bring added focus to the critical role scaffolding plays in ensuring safe and successful construction projects.


Neil Gasford, Divisional Director, Construction, said: 

“We’re excited to partner with the Scaffolding Association, one of the UK’s leading voices in scaffolding,” said Neil Gaisford, Divisional Director of Construction at UK Construction Week. “This collaboration is a natural fit for us as we continue to drive the conversation around innovation and safety within construction. We look forward to working together to elevate the importance of scaffolding, promote best practices, and create valuable opportunities for the entire construction industry to come together and push boundaries.”

The partnership will kick off at UK Construction Week London, taking place at ExCeL London between 7-9 May, followed by UK Construction Week Birmingham at NEC Birmingham on 30 Sept – 2 Oct.

Robert Candy, Chief Executive, Scaffolding Association said: 

“We are pleased to be working with UK Construction Week at both their London and Birmingham events. Their ethos matches the Scaffolding Association’s mission to promote improved safety, competence and innovation within our sector. 

Scaffolding is an integral part of the construction industry and should be incorporated early into the project planning process. UK Construction week has given us the platform to showcase these procedures and the implications of getting it wrong.”



About UK Construction Week

UK Construction Week (UKCW) is the UK’s largest built environment event, bringing together thousands of professionals from the construction sector. UKCW showcases the latest innovations, products, and services, while fostering collaboration, education, and networking across all sectors of the industry. The event features expert-led seminars, live demonstrations, and interactive experiences, providing attendees with valuable insights into the future of construction.

About the Scaffolding Association

*The Scaffolding Association is the UK's largest trade body for scaffolding contractors representing over 640 businesses in this sector of the Construction industry. It is committed to driving improvements in safety, standards, and the promotion of best practices within the sector. The Scaffolding Association supports its members who deliver high-quality scaffolding solutions across a wide range of construction projects in the UK.

For more information on UK Construction Week and to register, visit www.ukconstructionweek.com. For further details about the Scaffolding Association visit www.scaffolding-association.org or call 0300 124 0470.

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Safe Loading and Vehicle Checks for Scaffolders –
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