Constructing Excellence in the North East

Happy Monday everyone — I hope you all had a lovely weekend and are feeling refreshed for the week ahead! Now that UKREiFF and the May half term are behind us, if you’re available for some additional networking in Newcastle, why not sign up for our First Friday event this Friday (5th June)? It’s a relaxed and informal networking opportunity where you can connect with other professionals across the sector. 🧷 Sign up here - https://lnkd.in/ePKSpCDq Leanne Conaway Chelsea Corbett Catriona Lingwood Nik Welsh Lee Francis Angela Carney Fred Hood Richard Farrey Dr Olli Jones Rebecca Storey Andy Ray Kathryn Gardner Alex Rayner John Cartwright

We are really excited to officially announce a brand new event from the Constructing Excellence in the North East, Constructing Excellence Yorkshire and Humber and Constructing Excellence North West networks: THE NORTH BLUEPRINT – Delivering Action Together 📍 Aspire, Leeds 📅 17 September 2026 ⏰ 10am – 4pm A full day focused on: ▪️ The future of procurement ▪️ Retrofit & Net Zero ▪️ Major projects across the North ▪️ Collaboration across the supply chain ▪️ Innovation & best practice ▪️ Interactive workshops and discussion The aim is simple - bring together clients, contractors, consultants, SMEs, innovators and industry leaders from across the North for practical conversations that actually help move things forward. We’re also now opening discussions with organisations interested in sponsoring the event, with headline and event partner opportunities available. If you want to be part of shaping and supporting the conversation across the North, get in touch. Drop me a message or contact admin@ceyhclub.co.uk if you’d like to: ✔️ Register your interest ✔️ Talk sponsorship ✔️ Get involved in the event 🎫 Tickets are available online >https://lnkd.in/exxNmhih Looking forward to building this one over the next few months. Leanne Conaway Catriona Lingwood Chelsea Corbett Peter McDermott Caroline Key Mike Raven The University of Salford Tom Oulton Donna Lee

Alanis Burgess named future leader at Generation for Change (G4C) Awards for North East construction talent. https://lnkd.in/ekegr3pE Constructing Excellence in the North East G4C North East NAWIC North East and Tees Valley Catriona Lingwood Chelsea Corbett Leanne Conaway Megan Groom P+HS Architects Castle Jessica Morgan Victoria Beattie Paul Dodsworth Simon Rennison-Rae Matt Beattie

Today we had the pleasure of visiting RE:GEN Academy in Sunderland. RE:GEN Academy is an employer-led skills provider dedicated to growing people, developing workforces, and helping tackle the construction skills gap across the North of England. Backed by the experience and insight of the RE:GEN Group, the academy delivers high-quality training, hands-on learning, and real work experience that creates meaningful pathways into employment. It was inspiring to learn more about the incredible work they are doing to support individuals looking to start their careers, reskill for new opportunities, and help businesses build stronger, future-ready workforces. Thank you to Richard Whiteley for the warm welcome and for sharing your vision for creating sustainable progression within the industry. Chelsea Corbett | Leanne Conaway | Catriona Lingwood | Lee Francis | Cheryl Campbell | Nik Welsh #TrainingAndSkills #CareerDevelopment #ConstructionSkills #Employability

We’re pleased to welcome Central Employment as a new member. Established in the North East, Central Employment has built a strong reputation working with some of the region’s largest businesses and most recognised brands. Specialising in temporary, contract, and permanent recruitment across a broad range of industries, they supply skilled staff to organisations throughout the UK. Their commitment to creating seamless matches between employers and candidates helps drive efficiency, productivity, and long-term success across projects and businesses alike. You can find out more here 👉 https://lnkd.in/efqNyc4K We look forward to working together and supporting their continued growth. Welcome to the network! 👏 Nik Welsh | Leanne Conaway | Catriona Lingwood | Chelsea Corbett | Daniel Walker #Welcome #NewMember #CentralEmployment #Recruitment

We’re delighted to welcome FW Capital to the CENE network! FW Capital is a specialist SME finance provider helping ambitious businesses across the North East, North West, South West of England and Wales unlock their growth potential. Since 2010, they’ve built a strong reputation for delivering flexible finance solutions that help businesses thrive - from growth and expansion loans of up to £2 million, to funding for business acquisitions, property development and bond finance. We’re excited to have FW Capital as part of the community and look forward to seeing the continued impact they make in supporting regional business growth and innovation. You can find out more here 👉 https://fwcapital.co.uk Welcome aboard! 👏 Catriona Lingwood | Chelsea Corbett | Leanne Conaway | Nik Welsh | Lesley Telford | Sarah Knox | Chris Dixon | Joanne Whitfield #Welcome #NewMember #FWCapital #Collaboration #Networking

Get Hands-on with Cyber Security 📅 24th June ⏲️ 9.00am - 12.00noon 📍 Crowne Plaza Hotel, Newcastle If your business faced a cyber attack today, would you know what to do? In this hands-on session, you’ll work through a realistic breach scenario (using LEGO!!) and see how it impacts your operations, your people and your wider network. It’s practical, engaging, and designed to build confidence in how you respond. Plus, breakfast and a chance to connect with other local businesses. To sign up please follow this link - https://lnkd.in/enTMDbZ9 Leanne Conaway Chelsea Corbett Catriona Lingwood ITC Service #CyberSecurity #BusinessResilience #NorthEast

Join us for the next Constructing Excellence North East First Friday Networking event at the fantastic Crowne Plaza Newcastle - Stephenson Quarter – on Friday 5 June, 12pm–2pm. This informal monthly networking event is a great opportunity to connect with industry professionals, build new relationships, and catch up with familiar faces from across the sector. Whether you're looking to collaborate, share ideas, or simply expand your network, we'd love to see you there. 📍 Crowne Plaza Newcastle – Stephenson Quarter 📅 Friday 5th June 🕛 12 PM – 2 PM Interested in raising your profile even further? Sponsorship opportunities are available for this event - contact leanne@cene.org.uk for more information. Book Your Place Here 👉 https://lnkd.in/e9pXUX73 Catriona Lingwood | Leanne Conaway | Chelsea Corbett | Nik Welsh | Angela Carney | Fred Hood | Alex Rayner | John Cartwright | Kathryn Gardner | Rebecca Storey | Lee Francis | Andy Ray | Dr Olli Jones | Richard Farrey #Networking #Construction #BuiltEnvironment #NorthEast #ConstructingExcellence #BusinessNetworking #ConstructionIndustry #Newcastle

🔴 Get up to speed with the Building Safety Act 📅 30th June 2026 ⏲️ 8.30am - 11am ❗ Grand Hotel Gosforth Park, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE3 5HN The Building Safety Act 2022 has been in force for around 3 years and remains one of the most significant pieces of legislation affecting the construction industry, aiming to revolutionise building safety in England. Staying compliant with the new legally mandated duties is crucial, with penalties for non-compliance including unlimited fines and up to 2 years’ imprisonment. But what are the legal responsibilities for designers, developers, contractors, and occupiers? On 30th June, the CENE Innovation Group are partnering with Gentoo Group and Muckle LLP | B Corp™ to reflect on the legal framework, examine the developing caselaw and share practical steps to staying compliant. What’s in store… In this face-to-face session, Muckle construction experts will uncover the key changes introduced by the Act and the legal implications of the first cases examined by the Court. Gentoo’s team will also share their first-hand experience of engaging with the Act as a leading, large-scale social housing provider as well as provide actionable insights and best practices for staying compliant. Who should attend? This training session is aimed at those with legal responsibilities under the Act, including but not limited to designers, developers, contractors and owner/occupiers. Free parking is available on-site. Book Your Place Here 👉 https://lnkd.in/eE8RENWr This event is organised jointly between Muckle LLP, Gentoo & CENE. If you register to attend, your data will be shared between each organisation for the purpose of administering the event. Catriona Lingwood | Leanne Conaway | Chelsea Corbett | Ross Galbraith | Jill Cull | Sophie Douglas | Andy Ray | Ashley Dale CEng MICE | David Taylor | Jonathan Duckmanton | Kyle Hodgson | Richard Farrel | Niraj Thurairajah | Gary Bell | Dan Herron | Nik Welsh | Adam Aston | Rebecca Graydon | Jane Heath

🔴 Social Impact Spotlight: Sustainability 📅 Tuesday, 16th June 2026 ⏲️ 9am - 11am 📍 Gateshead College Construction Campus - Kingsway S, Gateshead NE11 0JL Constructing Excellence North East are pleased to announce the third Social Impact Network event to be held 9am – 11am at Gateshead College on Tuesday 16th June 2026. The Social Impact Network brings together social value professionals from across the region to share best practice and successful examples of social impact, key challenges and opportunities for collaboration. Each social impact event will focus on a key theme, in response to attendee feedback the third session will focus on Sustainability through the lens of Social Impact. We will hear from Willmott Dixon and members of the CENE Climate Action Group, sharing best practise on how to embed sustainability in social impact strategy, examples of collaboration and how to track and monitor progress and impact. The event also includes an optional tour of Gateshead College’s construction campus, including their new Gas and Renewables Centre. This event is open to members and non-members; tickets are likely to sell out so early registration is recommended. Book Your Place Here 👉 https://lnkd.in/ehPKF38F Catriona Lingwood | Leanne Conaway | Chelsea Corbett | Rebecca Storey | Leanne F. | Sarahjayne Parvin | John Cartwright | Debbie Watson | Laura Frost MRICS | Sam Moralee | Tom L. | Dr Isabel Williams | Angela Carney | Anjana Raj | Rachel Massey | Kate Marshall | Fred Hood | Lucy Malarkey (She/Her) | Ross Galbraith | Terry Hanlon | Hollie Laws | Mark David | Tim Barrett | Neil Willis | Emily Jowett | Nik Welsh | Cheryl Bone