The ACE annual conference in May brought together over 200 industry professionals to discuss and debate the critical issues facing the infrastructure and built environment sector as we emerge from recession. 

View all of the conference sessions here.

Keynote presentations included and update on government policy and commitment to infrastructure investment by Lord Deighton, London deputy mayor Isabel Dedring on the capital’s 2050 strategy for infrastructure and Lord Heseltine on the role of Local Enterprise Partnerships

Other discussion panels included; a focus on transport with John Dowie of the Department for Transport and Alison Munro of HS2; on sustainability with a keynote from Mike Putnam, chief executive of Skanska UK and chair of the Green Construction Board; plus a look at the devolved nation including a presentation by Robert Hough of the Liverpool City Local Enterprise Partnership. 

The ACE annual conference in video

Session 1: Keynote Address: Rt Hon The Lord Deighton KBE, Commercial Secretary to the Treasury

Session 2: Economic regeneration and the role of integrated transport

Connecting regional cities, towns, and communities has been identified as a key driver of economic activity, facilitating the movement of people, goods, and services to educational opportunities, jobs, and markets. The fundamental questions for the future development of the UK are how we develop these transport links best, and attract the finance and funding to build and run them. 

Alison Munro, HS2 Ltd, John Dowie, DfT, Darren Caplan, AOA, Andrew Boagey, Systra

Chaired by David Tarrant, Mott MacDonald

Session 3: Sustainability – more than just a luxury

Future cities and communities cannot afford to ignore sustainability of growth, resource, jobs, and skills, if they are to succeed and grow. Developments (including homes, social resources like schools and hospitals, places of business, and transport connections) will have to adhere to ever-stricter regulations around resource use and management.

Mike Putnam, Skanska and Green Construction Board, Jon Kirkpatrick, Lend Lease, Rob Pannell, Managing Director, Zero Carbon Hub, Dr Priti Parikh, University College London

Chaired by Ashley Bateson, Chair ACE Sustainability Sector Interest Group

Session 4: Devolved nations and the regions 

With the trend for devolved nations and local authorities, including Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs), to combine resources to focus on holistic regeneration and growth, and as new funding pots becoming available, 2014 will be a year with new challenges and opportunities for the construction industry. 

Kevin Rowan, TUC, Robert Hough, Merseyside Partnership, David Mosey, Kings College London, Michael Batheram, WSP 

Chaired by Mike Barber

Session 5: Afternoon Keynote: Isabel Dedring, deputy mayor for transport and the environment, Greater London Authority

Session 6: Utilities: how will the bare necessities be provided?

Affordable provision of the fundamentals of life has flown back to the top of the agenda in recent years, with an unprecedented energy gap looming over the UK, climate change posing a threat to water availability and supply, and better communications playing an ever-increasing role in our economy. 

Sir Neville Simms, Thames Tideway Tunnel, Ian Gardner, Arup, Mike McNicholas, Advisory Board Member, Tidal Lagoon Power

Chaired by Andrew Cowell, ACE Utilities Group Chair, Engineering Directory, MWH

Session 7: Interview with Lord Michael Heseltine: Infrastructure Intelligence editor Antony Oliver puts the questions and leads the Q and A.