Please take a look at some of our previous events.
'Discover New Work Opportunities' event - 20th October 2011 - Sackville House, Lewes
Meet the Construction Buyer event - 23 June 2011 - Brighton Aldridge Community Academy , Falmer
Annual Construction Marketplace - 8th February 2011 - East Sussex National Golf Course and Spa, Uckfield
Sustainability Matters - 19th October 2010 - The Kings Centre, Eastbourne
'Winning Construction Work' workshop - 13th July 2010 - Sussex Coast College
Marketing to Main Contractors - 22nd April 2010 - Brighton Racecourse
'Discover New Work Opportunities' - 20th October 2011
Over 100 delegates attended the latest Build East Sussex network event held at Sackville House in Lewes at the end of October – taking the opportunity to find out more about how to work with the big construction companies and meet them face-to-face.
Opening the meeting, Councillor Peter Jones, Leader of East Sussex County Council said “Everybody knows that these are difficult times. The County Council is determined to help local businesses weather the storm. We will be using some of the County Council’s reserves, built up through prudent management during the last ten years, to increase the amount of construction work in our capital programme. Being part of the Build East Sussex network improves the chances of local companies to win work from our programmes.”
Attendees also heard a presentation from Rix and Kay Solicitors, a local company that are specialists at advising the construction industry. They provided some general advice on the issues and pitfalls facing small construction businesses, and steps companies can take to protect themselves.
The brief presentations were followed by a general networking session that allowed attendees to meet and talk to the majority of the East Sussex County Council and Brighton & Hove City Council main contractors, as well as business support organisations and colleges, and of course directly with Rix and Kay Solicitors.
The next opportunity to network with the buyers will be at the Build East Sussex Annual Construction Marketplace in Uckfied on Tuesday 7 February 2012.
Return to top
Meet the Construction Buyer - 23 June 2011
The latest Build East Sussex (BES) event held at the Brighton Aldridge Community Academy at Falmer just outside of Brighton on 23 June 2011 was a resounding success. For the first time the event was hosted by one of our construction partners, Keir. The event was held in the main school hall and whilst construction at the site is ongoing, the main hall was sufficiently complete to hold our networking event.
Around 150 delegates attended, and met with representatives from 25 construction buyers and business support organisations. John Morris from East Sussex County Council, and Chair of the BES Steering Group, welcomed delegates, who then heard from Rod Derbyshire, the Brighton & Hove City Council Project Manager for the Falmer Academy project, who spoke briefly about the Falmer construction. This was followed by Andrew Kent from Remade Southeast, who spoke about their sustainable construction project, and Barry Ashley from Constructionline, who outlined the work being managed by Constructionline on the ‘select list’ for East Sussex County Council and Sussex Police Authority. The general networking then started, during which the delegates circulated round the main contractors’ stands reporting that they also found it a useful forum to network amongst other suppliers, and a valuable way of finding out the latest news and updates within the sector.
Councillor Keith Glazier, Deputy Leader of the County Council said: “Build East Sussex is a real success story and this was highlighted by the interest shown from local businesses at the Falmer event. Over 430 pieces of work have been advertised on the BES website in the past year and those attending the Falmer meeting now have a much better idea how they can get a share of these opportunities.”
The BES team is now planning the next event which will be held in October. Date and venue have yet to be established, and information will be posted on the website as soon as it is available.
Return to top
Annual Construction Marketplace 2011
The Build East Sussex network's 450 member firms were well represented at the Construction Marketplace event at the East Sussex National Golf Course and Spa in Uckfield and network buyers, who have work ready for member firms to win, turned out in force to meet them.
Delegates were welcomed by Councillors and Officers representing East Sussex County Council and Brighton & Hove City Council who underlined their commitment to Build East Sussex and their support for local construction/built environment businesses of all sizes. John Morris, East Sussex County Council Assistant Director of Property reminded us of the three excellent events the network has held since we launched just over a year ago, the growth of the network to over 450 registered firms and then introduced the new network website and the opportunities it holds in store for network members.
"Surprisingly, East Sussex has fared better than expected from the Government’s capital grants for specific projects which has enabled us to slightly expand our capital programme for 2011/12. We have a £60 million programme to build 3 new academies and have secured planning consent for our £17 million new archives and records facility, so the opportunities for local businesses to benefit through our capital programme are there." said John.
Councillor Ayas Fallon-Khan, speaking on behalf of Brighton & Hove City Council, underlined why the Council supports Build East Sussex: "Brighton and Hove – like all other public sector purchasers – are facing some tough years ahead, and we are committed to doing all we can to help our local businesses benefit from the build projects that are currently being undertaken, and that will be embarked upon in the next few years. I am most impressed to see how many of you have engaged in the Build East Sussex initiative, clearly demonstrating your own determination to take every opportunity that you can for your business."
Delegates were then treated to a real-life case history from Matt Hepburn from B M Hepburn Ltd a small Eastbourne-based plastering, dry lining, screeding company and Guy Dawes who is the Framework Manager of one of the network buyers, Osborne's. Matt met Guy at a network event last year and told us:
"That single conversation eventually led to us winning a contract with Osborne for the Cradle Hill project, which we’ve recently completed. It can take time, but things do happen … and I certainly would never have picked up the telephone to speak to Guy, nor he to answer I suspect. Build East Sussex was a very effective match-making service for us and we have since worked on a couple of smaller Osbornes projects so I can honestly say that attending the Build East Sussex events is definitely worth while for any business."
Guy added: "To have gone through our selection process, been selected for a job, and to have completed it all within one year is pretty much as good a story as there is!"
Brighton & Hove City Council Head of Property Services, Angela Dymott, then thanked the speakers and invited the delegates to meet the Framework Contractors and the networking session began in earnest.
The exhibitors did a fantastic job and took the time with every firm to talk them through upcoming work opportunities and what they are looking for in their local suppliers and subcontractors. On average they each met with over 30 firms and arranged 12 follow up meetings during the event. There was a consistent message coming through in their post-event feedback: ("It was really useful to meet new sub-contractors and consultants to expand our local supply chain and to network with those we already know. We made excellent contacts to follow up for future business")
Network member firms were even more enthusiastic and said there were three key things they got out of the event. Many reported that the network buyers had reassured them that despite the economic climate, more work would be coming through Build East Sussex. ("It's great to know that the future is positive after talking to contractors who have many opportunities"). Also, members appreciated the opportunity to meet and talk to local authority and other network partner representatives. ("We had the chance to meet key people in Brighton & Hove Council") The third theme of members' feedback was that they found it useful to meet other network member firms ("We made contact with several companies which may prove to be beneficial") We certainly hope that Build East Sussex events and the new website will encourage firms to explore new business relationships and potential partnerships.
Tip for Members: Enter your company information on the website if you wish to be visible to network buyers. You must complete your SIQ or PIQ for your firm to be visible in buyer searches. You may also wish to update your project history so buyers can see what you can do.Both exhibitors and delegates gave the event an average score of more than 8 out of 10 so it looks as though a good day was had by all. As Peter Warner of the McAvoy Group wrote "The Formula Works!"
Return to top
Sustainability Matters - it's the future of your business
Date: 19th October 2010
Venue: The Kings Centre, Eastbourne
Event Report
Over 100 delegates attended the "Sustainability Matters" event in Eastbourne and after hearing presentations from Matthew Powell - East Sussex County Council on "The Local Authority Approach" and Catherine Whitby - Brighton and Hove City Council on "Brighton and Hove Architectural Perspective", were able to network with 18 exhibitors including Main Contractors and Business Support Organisations.
Thank you to all who attended.
If you did attend and did not do so at the event, please take a moment to fill out an event feedback form
To view the presentations, please click on the images below.
To save a copy of the presentations, right click on the image and choose 'Save target as...'
Return to top
'Winning Construction Work' Workshop
Date: 13th July 2010
Venue: Sussex Coast College
Event Report
90+ delegates attended the "Winning Construction Work" event in Hastings and after hearing presentations from Aidan OReilly-Vinci Construction on how to "Stand Out From the Crowd" and Anne Grace-Mears Group on "Caring for your Customer", were able to network with 21 exhibitors including Main Contractors and Business Support Organisations.
Thank you to all who attended.
If you did attend and did not do so at the event, please take a moment to fill out an event feedback form
To view the presentations, please click on the images below.
To save a copy of the presentations, right click on the image and choose 'Save target as...'
Return to top
Marketing to Main Contractors
Date: 22nd April 2010
Venue: Brighton Racecourse
Event Report
Over 200 local small businesses involved in Construction and the Built Environment attended this event where they were able to network with 20 exhibitors including Main Contractors and Business Support organisations.
They also heard Presentations on Marketing from Business Link, Morgan Ashurst and Westridge Construction.
To view the presentations, click the links below
Business Link Marketing - Getting it Right
Morgan Ashurst - So.. You want to work for a Main Contractor
Westridge Construction - Customer Service .. A Winning Strategy for Your Business
Return to top