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Benefits of Membership
Join the CPA and reap the benefits.
Membership pays for itself


Membership pays for itself
Join the CPA and thrive
For over 85 years, we’ve been the voice of the UK plant-hire industry—representing almost 2,000 members, from one-person outfits to national giants. We know your pressures because we’re in it with you. Join the CPA and gain expert support that keeps you compliant, competitive, and confidently in control.
Events
CPA Gala Dinner 2026
Join us for an unforgettable evening of fine dining, exceptional entertainment, and industry celebration at the CPA Gala Dinner 2026.
Following the success of last year’s inaugural event, we are delighted to return to one of the UK’s most iconic venues for a prestigious black-tie gathering that brings together members, industry leaders, and distinguished guests from across the construction plant industry.
Availability is limited and will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.
Sponsorship opportunities are also available to put your brand in the spotlight.
Ready to book tickets?




Regional Golf Days
We’re taking the CPA on tour.
This is your chance to enjoy a great round of golf, reconnect with industry colleagues, meet the CPA team and help shape the issues we focus on.
Not a golfer? No problem. Join us for dinner, networking or simply a catch-up with the team.
Bookings are now open – and sponsorship packages are available to put your brand centre stage.
Events
New for 2026
CPA Clay Pigeon Shooting & Networking Day
Be among the first to experience the CPA’s brand-new Clay Pigeon Shooting & Networking Day on Friday 25 September at Quidenham Estate, Norfolk. Enjoy a day of friendly competition, excellent hospitality and valuable networking in a relaxed countryside setting. Suitable for all abilities, with professional instruction and all equipment provided.
Places are limited – book now.




Reports
Half-Built Britain – Unlocking the Nation’s Infrastructure Growth Plans
Half-built Britain: unlocking the nation’s infrastructure growth plans written for the Construction Plant-hire Association investigates how these plans will translate into action on the ground through the lens of three major policy releases over the summer of 2025—the Comprehensive Spending Review, Industrial Strategy, and National Infrastructure Strategy.

“This report provides a timely and insightful assessment of the opportunities and challenges facing the UK’s construction and infrastructure sector. It demonstrates that while the government’s National Infrastructure Strategy sets a strong direction, delivery will depend on a stable policy environment, predictable pipelines, and a confident supply chain capable of meeting the country’s ambitions.”
Steven Mullholland, Chief Executive Officer, Construction Plant-hire Association
Specialist Support that Works
Special Interest Groups
Our Special Interest Groups give members in niche sectors a focused forum to tackle shared challenges, shape best practice, and influence CPA priorities. Tailored support, real collaboration, and practical results for your area of hire.
CPA Bulletin
Your Industry,
Your Insight
The CPA Bulletin is our quarterly magazine, delivering essential news, expert views, and industry updates direct to our members.


Proudly serving construction since 1941
News and Updates
CPA News and updates
CPA Calls for Investment in Rail Infrastructure Following Two Derailments
Over the weekend CPA CEO Steve Mulholland joined Sam Francis and Dawn Neesom on GB News Breakfast, and Peter Cardwell...
City AM ‘Business as Usual’ Podcast
CPA CEO Steve Mulholland joins Felix Armstrong on City AM’s ‘Business as Usual’ podcast to talk about the chall...
Revised version of the CIG (2308) publication
This publication, first released in mid-2023 by the CPA’s Crane interest Group (CIG), provided a focus on the minim...
Learn More About Work Experience Placements
We’re encouraging CPA members to join a free webinar with the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to find out mo...
August Issue of CPA Bulletin Out Now
The August issue of the CPA Bulletin is out now and it’s one of our biggest and best issues yet, with features on t...
CPA Gala Dinner Returns as Association Celebrates 85 Years
Following the outstanding success of its inaugural Gala Dinner last year, the Construction Plant-hire Association...
Additional London Skills Funding
The Mayor of London has launched the Construction Skills Pilot, an employer-led initiative that puts £2.5 million be...
Talking Apprenticeships and Skills on TalkTV
Last night, Construction Plant-hire Association CEO Steve Mulholland joined Peter Cardwell on TalkTV to discuss Andy ...
Roundtable Summary – Half-Built Britain
Following a roundtable discussion of industry leaders organised by the French Chamber of Commerce and hosted by Soci...
Supply of Machinery Regulations 2026 Update
Parliamentary Approval of The Supply of Machinery (Safety) (Amendment etc.) and the EU Machinery Regulation (Enforce...
Sunday Telegraph Highlights Findings from Latest CPA Member Survey
The Sunday Telegraph has highlighted findings from the latest CPA member survey. If we want more apprentices to stay ...
CTA/CPCS 40th Anniversary Celebration Lunch by Peter Brown, CPA Technical and Development Director
In the May 2026 edition of the CPA Bulletin, I wrote a special feature article on the 40th anniversary of the launch...
Another Fantastic Day on the Fairways!
The CPA's second Regional Golf Day of 2026 was a great success, bringing members and guests together at Rutland Water...
Abnormal Loads Briefing Note Published
Through the CPA’s membership of the Abnormal Loads Working Group (ALG) – an industry wide coalition – p...
CPA Stars of the Future Awards Break Records as Industry’s Rising Stars Recognised
The winners of the Construction Plant-hire Association's (CPA) Stars of the Future Awards 2026 have been announced...
NOCN Group Welcomes Steve Mulholland, CPA Chief Executive, to Board as Trustee
NOCN Group is pleased to announce the appointment of Steve Mulholland, Chief Executive of the Construction Plant-hire...
Latest News from the DWP
The Department for Work & Pensions (DWP) has released its latest briefing covering the latest announcements and p...
Policy Briefing on Full Expensing
The CPA has updated its Policy Briefing on Full Expensing, highlighting the need for the government to set out in ful...
The Herald Highlights Higher Costs Threaten Prospects for Young People
Nearly half (49%) of construction plant-hire firms expect to reduce entry-level roles over the next year as rising co...
Youth Guarantee – Government’s Enhanced Offer to Employers
The Government has enhanced its Youth Guarantee initiative to ensure that every young person aged 16 to 24 has the su...
Daily Express: Andy Burnham told to get rid of 2 hated Rachel Reeves policies if he becomes PM
The Daily Express has published an article quoting CPA Chief Executive Officer Steve Mulholland, who has urged Andy B...
First CPA Regional Golf Day Tees Off to an Excellent Start
The CPA’s first Regional Golf Day of 2026 got the season off to an excellent start at Tenterden Golf Club in Kent last...
Sponsoring and Speaking at Earthfest
The Construction Plant-hire Association (CPA) is proud to be sponsoring and speaking at Earthfest for The Future of T...
CPA Conference 2026 – Watch the Highlights
What a day! If you couldn't join us at CPA Conference 2026, our highlights video captures some of the best moments...
CPA Conference 2026 Review
Unblock Britain to Unlock Growth Alan Guthrie reviews the CPA’s 2026 Conference which examined what is hindering the...
CPA Appearing in Publication Marking Royal and Parliamentary Leadership
The Construction Plant-hire Association (CPA) has been selected to appear in a new publication entitled Monarchy and ...
Publication of the CPA Member Spring Survey 2026
The full version of the CPA Spring Survey of member companies has now been published and can be downloaded below. As ...
The Telegraph Features CPA Letter to the Chancellor
CPA CEO Steve Mulholland has written to the Chancellor Rachel Reeves, urging the Government to take further action b...
The Herald : Fuel Duty Freeze Does Not Help Crisis in Scottish Industry
CPA CEO Steve Mulholland is quoted on the front page of The Herald in a story which warns that pausing the fuel duty ...
Daily Express Covers Latest CPA Survey Findings
Steph Spyro, Deputy Political Editor at the Daily Express, has covered our latest survey findings showing more than 8...
Latest Issue of CPA Bulletin Out Now
The May edition of the Construction Plant-hire Association Bulletin is out now – packed with the latest industr...
CPA Appearance on Talk TV
CPA CEO Steve Mulholland appeared on TalkTV discussing why scrapping planned fuel duty rises would be welcome –...
Speaker Line-Up Unveiled for Landmark 10th CPA Conference
The Construction Plant-hire Association (CPA) has announced an impressive speaker line-up for its milestone 10th annu...
City AM Publishes Warning About Project Delays
City AM has published a piece warning that the government risks stalling key road and rail infrastructure projects un...
CPA Welcomes Irish Fuel Support Package
The Irish Government has announced a wide-ranging package of excise cuts and sector‑specific supports aimed at easi...
From ‘Half-Built Britain’ to Full Potential: CPA Roundtable Sparks Growth Debate
Last week, the CPA hosted a Roundtable Dinner Discussion at the Institute of Directors in London. The event centred on...
Vernon Kay Gives a Shoutout to the CPA
Great to hear Vernon Kay give a shoutout to UK Plant Operators Magazine and the CPA on BBC Radio 2 this morning. Vern...
Brent Bolton
We’ve been sadly informed that Brent Bolton, after recently retiring from the HSE, passed away last Thursday after ...
Daily Express Highlights Concerns
The Daily Express has published an important piece highlighting our warning that the construction supply chain is bei...
CPA on TalkTV
CPA CEO Steve Mulholland joined Mark Dolan on Talk TV to discuss how the cap on Business Property Relief will increas...
CapX Features CPA
CapX features an editorial piece written by CPA CEO Steve Mulholland which outlines how Labour’s tax hikes are hitt...
City AM Highlights the Impact of Inheritance Tax Changes
An important piece in City AM covers the latest CPA member survey findings, highlighting the impact inheritance tax c...
Steve Mulholland Shortlisted for Construction Leader of the Year Award
We’re delighted to share that Steve Mulholland, Chief Executive Officer of the CPA, has been shortlisted as a final...
CPA Comments on Changes to Business Property Relief (BPR)
From today, changes to Business Property Relief (BPR) take effect – increasing inheritance tax liabilities for ...
Stars of the Future Successfully Complete Plant Training Course
Stars of the Future winners complete specialist plant training, earning CPCS certifications and new qualifications to...
West Midlands Police Policy Puts ‘HS2 and Major Projects at Risk’, Warns Construction Industry
The CPA warns that West Midlands Police’s handling of abnormal load movements is driving up costs and causing delay...
CPA Responds to Single Construction Regulator Consultation
The CPA has responded to the government’s consultation on proposals for the creation of a single regulator in const...
National Planning Policy Framework Consultation – Response from CPA
The CPA has responded to the government’s National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) consultation, urging stronger c...
New TCIG Publication on the Tendering and Management of Tower Cranes
The CPA’s Tower Crane Interest Group (TCIG) has launched a guidance publication on the tendering, management and op...
CPA Conference Returns With a Brand New Format, Theme and Venue
Join the Construction Plant-hire Association Conference 2026 on 21 May at One Great George Street, Westminster.
...Our New Membership Benefits Web Page is Now Live
Discover the new CPA membership benefits page. Explore exclusive offers, reduce business costs, and see how CPA membe...
CPA Proud Winners of Trade Association Forum Award
The Construction Plant-hire Association (CPA) proudly won the Environmental/Sustainability Initiative of the Year Awa...
CPA Reacts to the Chancellor’s Spring Statement 2026
CPA responds to the Chancellor’s Spring Statement, warning of rising costs for family-owned plant-hire firms and ur...
Government publishes guidance on new ‘First Year 40% Allowance’
Government publishes guidance on the new First Year 40% Allowance for qualifying plant and machinery expenditure, out...
Daily Express Quotes Steve Mulholland
The Daily Express has quoted CPA Chief Executive Officer Steve Mulholland, highlighting the pressure that #constructi...
VIP JCB Visit for Stars of the Future Winners
Discover highlights from the Stars of the Future Awards 2025 prize experience, including the JCB Backhoe Loader Dig E...
Department for Work and Pensions Providing Support to Employers
Discover how the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and Jobcentre Plus support employers with free recruitment se...
SOE Membership for Plant Hire Occupations
Explore CPA’s partnership with the Society of Operations Engineers (SOE), offering free apprentice registration, di...
Steve Mulholland Appears on Times Radio
Last night, CPA CEO Steve Mulholland joined Carole Walker on Times Radio to discuss new figures showing that one in n...
PSRO Webinar (rescheduled) – Understanding the CLC Competency Frameworks for Plant Occupations
In the wake of the Grenfell Tower tragedy, the Building Safety Act 2023 introduced new requirements to ensure that an...
Latest Construction Market Analysis from Glenigan
Have a read of the latest construction market analysis prepared by Glenigan for the CPA. It makes stark reading, with...
CPA Launches Search for the UK’s Most Promising Plant Apprentices
The Construction Plant-hire Association (CPA) has launched its search for this year’s most promising apprentices an...
CPA Exhibiting at Executive Hire Show 2026
Visitors to the Executive Hire Show 2026 are invited to visit the Construction Plant-hire Association (CPA) team on s...
Peter Haddock Talks With Luis Bassett
Content creator Peter Haddock chats with the CPA’s Decarbonisation and Sustainability Manager Luis Bassett at the r...
February 2026 Issue of the CPA Bulletin Out Now
The February 2026 issue of the CPA Bulletin is out now and it’s fully loaded with content. There’s a preview abou...
Grant Application Window Open for Phase One of the Jobs Guarantee Scheme
We have received the following information from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) advising that the grant ap...
Tower crane strikes expose ‘perfect storm’ created by government policy, warns construction industry
Strike action by tower crane operators today highlights the growing strain across construction, with the Construction...
CPA Annual Review 2025 Now Available
The CPA Annual Review 2025 is now available in a digital format and a hard copy will be posted to every CPA member al...
London Standard Writes About the Perfect Storm
Jonathan Prynn, Business Editor of the London Standard, writes about the perfect storm fuelling London’s housebuild...
Urgent Call for Energy Equipment for Use in Ukraine
Due to the recent escalation of missile and drone attacks on Ukraine, deliberately targeting the country’s energy i...
Daily Express Quotes the CPA
The Daily Express has published a story warning that Labour’s flagship 1.5 million new homes pledge is unrealistic,...
Yorkshire’s Construction Supply Chain is Under Strain
Read a piece in the Yorkshire Post written by CPA Chief Executive Steve Mulholland. Steve writes about how Yorkshire...
Remembering Douglas Anderson
We were deeply saddened to learn of the sudden passing of Douglas Anderson, Joint Managing Director of GAP Group, yes...
Half-Built Promises: New Report Reveals Cracks in UK’s Construction Pipeline
A new Oxford Economics report for the CPA warns Britain’s £530bn construction pipeline is cracking under skills sh...
Coping During the Holiday Season
Need To Talk?
You never have to face the holidays alone.
Call the helpline on 0345 605 1956 to speak conf...
Steve Mulholland Interviewed on Times Radio
CPA Chief Executive Officer Steve Mulholland has appeared on Times Radio. Steve talked about the factors that are con...
Plant Planet Features the Gala Dinner
The December 2025/January 2026 issue of Plant Planet is out now and it features an overview of the CPA Gala Dinner wh...
Daily Express Quotes the CPA
The Daily Express features the latest construction data and quotes CPA Chief Executive Officer Steve Mulholland, in a...
CPA Bulletin Media Pack 2026 Now Available
CPA Bulletin, the official magazine of the Construction Plant-hire Association, offers targeted access to key decisio...
Shortlisted for Two Trade Association Forum Awards
Construction Plant-hire Association (CPA) has been shortlisted for two 2026 Trade Association Forum Awards, recognisi...
CapX Article Warns That Chaos is Holding Back Britain’s Builders
CapX features an editorial from CPA CEO Steve Mulholland that highlights how nosediving activity is in part down to u...
Business Property Relief – CPA survey of members – the impact is real and lasting
Following a survey of family members, find out what CPA members think of the government’s reforms to inheritance ta...
CPA Budget Commentary – one week on – what does it mean?
It’s only a week since the Budget but one week on, we have now had time to properly assess and digest what it means...
Abnormal loads – amendments to the Crime and Policing Bill – sign the letter
Following a meeting of the Abnormal Loads Group, we’re calling on operators to sign an open letter to the Policing ...
Family-Run Construction Firms Deserved Better from This Budget
By Steve Mulholland, CEO, Construction Plant-hire Association (CPA) Faced with anaemic growth, Labour’s Budget need...
CPA Reaction to the Budget
Following the Budget announced by Chancellor Rachel Reeves today, Steve Mulholland, Chief Executive Officer of the Co...
December Issue of the CPA Bulletin
The December issue of the CPA Bulletin will be landing soon and it’s another bumper issue at 72 pages long. It’s ...
Navigating the Road to Net Zero: CPA Urges Caution in Decarbonising the UK Plant-Hire Sector
As the UK moves toward Net Zero, the CPA warns that high costs, complex infrastructure and limited resale markets thr...
City AM Warns That Construction Productivity is Stuck in the 1990s
City AM quotes the Oxford Economics/CPA report which highlights that productivity in the construction sector is now l...
Daily Express Quotes CPA/Oxford Economics Survey
In advance of the Budget, the Daily Express quotes the new Oxford Economics report commissioned by the CPA, which sho...
Guido Fawkes Reports Findings of CPA Survey
Guido Fawkes reports that a survey of CPA members highlights the looming threat from Labour’s changes to Business P...
Updated CPA Guidance on the Requirements for Lifting Equipment Adjacent to Railways Controlled by Network Rail
The Construction Plant-hire Association (CPA) have released the latest version of their publication on the requiremen...
CPA adds its voice to letter to Prime Minister Keir Starmer on the damaging impact of inheritance tax reforms
The CPA has joined a host of leading companies and trade associations in writing to the Prime Minister, outlining our...
Crowdfunding for the BPR/APR/IHT Legal Challenge
Following a meeting today in Westminster, a legal challenge may be the only way forward to help the businesses who st...
CPA Strives to Attract Plant Operators of the Future
To help inspire young people into the construction plant sector and plug the skills gap for Plant Operators, the Cons...
TalkTV’s Drivetime Show with Peter Cardwell
CPA Chief Executive Officer Steve Mulholland appeared on Talk TV’s Drivetime with Peter Cardwell, talking about the...
Evening of Industry Celebration at CPA’s Inaugural Gala Dinner
Join the Construction Plant-hire Association’s Gala Dinner on 6th November 2025 at St George’s Hall, Liverpool. E...
Daily Express Coverage
The Daily Express speaks to David Wernick of CPA member Wernick Group, who warns that Labour’s plan to reform Busin...
Coverage in the Daily Telegraph
The new Oxford Economics Report commissioned by the CPA highlights the threats to the Government’s pledge to “bui...
Interview on LBC
Listen in to CPA CEO Steve Mulholland’s interview with Henry Riley on LBC. Steve calls on the Government to reduce ...
Bringing our industry together
Events
From essential industry updates, recognising our rising stars, to networking opportunities — explore the latest CPA events.




The Rail Plant Association
The Rail Plant Association (RPA) is a limited liability company and was launched 1999. The main purpose of the RPA is to look after the interests of its members who hire specialist plant and equipment for use on the railway infrastructure.







































































