The Construction Plant-hire Association (CPA) has confirmed the panel speakers and topics for the CPA Conference taking place on Thursday 7th November 2024 at the Heart of England Conference and Events Centre in Meriden near Coventry. 

The theme of the one-day conference is  ‘Shaping the Future: Insights for the Plant-hire Sector’ and the event is being co-hosted by Merryn Myatt - a former television presenter, newsreader and journalist who previously worked with the BBC, ITV and Channel 4 - and Peter Haddock who is well known throughout the plant-hire industry as a content, social media and PR specialist, journalist and vlogger.

The CPA Conference 2024 will bring together a number of panel speakers discussing how organisations can shape the future of the plant-hire sector. Merryn and Peter will lead a number of interactive panel debates discussing key topics including innovation, decarbonisation, digitalisation, skills, business growth, succession planning and mental health and wellbeing in the construction sector. 

CPA Chief Executive Steven Mulholland will welcome attendees and deliver a keynote speech at the event. The panel speakers taking part in the conference are:

  • Beth Doel, Advanced Technical Trainer at Reaseheath College
  • Brian Jones, President of the CPA
  • Carl Hassell, Group Director of Skills at NOCN Group
  • Chris Cassley, Policy Manager at the CPA
  • Chris Harvey, Co-Founder of the Hire Exchange
  • Dani Saveker, CEO and Founder at Glas Method
  • David Graham, Co-Founder of the Hire Exchange
  • Deborah Madden, Executive Director, Nations Engagement, CITB
  • Gary Higgerson, Charity Advocate for Lighthouse
  • Ian McMillan, Head of Business Development at Thomas Group
  • Jamie Charles, Lead Economist at Oxford Economics
  • Jamie Morris, Technical and Managing Director at Gaia
  • Katie Kelleher, Technical and Development Officer at the CPA
  • Kathryn Adams, Commercial Director at Prolectric
  • Steve Kerslake, Trustee and Founder at Construction Sport

Delegate tickets can be booked online at https://www.cpa.uk.net/events/cpa-conference-2024 and CPA members can take advantage of a 50% discount on the standard ticket price of £80 plus VAT by emailing enquiries@cpa.uk.net for the discount code.

Last year’s CPA Conference theme was ‘Facing the Challenges’ and the CPA Conference 2024 has moved on to discussing how attendees can help shape the future of the industry and provide solutions. There will be a total of five panel debates throughout the day, notably:

  • Panel Session 1: The Plant-hire Sector in 2024 - Where the Industry Currently Sits in the Wider Economic and Political Context
  • Panel Session 2: The Innovative Plant-hire Company - Insights into Current and Future Developments and Innovations in the Sector
  • Panel Session 3: Expanding the Skills Base - Where do we Stand in the Battle for Skills, What Progress is Being Made in Attracting New People to the Industry - Especially Women?
  • Panel Session 4: Growing your Business - What Next? The Challenge of Growth and Succession Planning
  • Panel Session 5: Focus on Mental Health and Wellbeing in the Construction Sector 

The CPA Conference 2024 will run alongside a small, targeted exhibition. Confirmed exhibitors at the event so far include headline sponsor MHM Group, plus ACOP Group, Acrow Bridge, CESAR Powered by Datatag, CITB, Capja, Conquip, Explore Plant and Transport Solutions, GGR Group, Genquip Groundhog, NOCN CPCS, Parksafe Group, Plant Parts, Plant Planet, Plantworx, Point of Rental Software, Prolectric Services, Record360, Rouse Services, Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA), Spartan Solutions, Supply Chain Sustainability School, Thomas Group, Tranzaura, VUE Group and WOLFF Onsite.

A limited number of exhibition spaces are still available. For further information, please contact Lisa Collins on 07968 840390 or email: lisa@lisacollinscommunications.co.uk

CPA Conference 2024 Agenda

(PDF, 1.23 MB)