The cost of late procurement: National research briefing

Date
3 June 2026
Time
08:00 - 13:00
Location
The Bridgewater Hall
Lower Mosley Street
Manchester, M2 3WS
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What to expect at our event

Across keynotes and 3 expert panels, the briefing will dive into new, never seen before data, to explore the cost and programme impact of early contractor involvement.

You can expect:

  • Exclusive cross-sector networking opportunities
  • Knowledge exchange between decision makers in public and private sectors
  • Discover the growth potential of different sectors and local areas

Don’t take our word for it

hear from previous attendees on why you should register for a CCBP event:

 

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This event launches the findings from a Government backed study into Early Contractor Involvement. Be the first to discover the cost and programme impact of ECI on public sector projects.

Event details

Date: 3 June 2026

Time: 08:00 - 13:00

Location: The Bridgewater Hall
Lower Mosley Street
Manchester, M2 3WS

The numbers below include tickets for this event already in your cart. Clicking "Get Tickets" will allow you to edit any existing attendee information as well as change ticket quantities.
The cost of late procurement: National evidence briefing
This half day conference marks the launch of a government-backed report into Early Contractor Involvement (ECI), bringing together industry and public-sector leaders to explore what the evidence tells us.
£120.00
75 available
Quantity: 0
Total: £0.00

Companies attending

Arcadis, Balfour Beatty, BAM, Bury Council, CIAT Global, Cowburn Watson-Box Ltd, DGC Consulting Engineers, Eric Wright, Future of Greater Manchester, Galliford Try, Gleeds, Greater Manchester Combined Authority, Hill Dickinson, iM2, Kenmac Associates, Kier, Knowsley Council, Liverpool City Council, Mindflow, Manchester Airport Group, Mott Macdonald, Morgan Sindall, PLACED, RealWorth, RECOM Solutions, RIDGE, Seddon, Stepnell, The Garland Company, Trafford Council, Turner and Townsend, VINCI, Walker Sime, Wates, Willmott Dixon and many more…

Why Attend?

Be the first to hear the results of a Government-backed research study into ECI

This is the first time CCBP will share the findings and recommendations of their Government-backed report into ECI before the findings go to Parliament. The report examined over 400 public sector projects, comparing the cost and programme impacts of each RIBA stage.

Hear from regional decision makers in Greater Manchester 

For the first time, procurement Leads from Manchester City Council, Manchester Airport Group, Trafford Council and more will be sharing their regional spending priorities and procurement strategies, along with keynote Lisa Taylor who will be sharing her vision for Greater Manchester.

Connect with decision makers in Procurement

Decision makers in procurement and supply will be present to hear how other authorities are mandating, enabling and measuring Early Contractor Involvement. This is a unique opportunity to connect with industry peers and discuss procurement strategies openly.

Network with industry colleagues in an honest, open format

Benefit from exclusive networking opportunities with public sector clients, professional services organisations and main contractors in an open format. Those attending are seeking strategic procurement advice.

Tickets are limited. Register now.

Agenda

08:00 - 09:00 Registration & Networking
09:00 - 09:10 Welcome and Housekeeping
09:10 - 09:25 Keynote Speaker
Trevor Steven, CEO, Mindflow
09:25 - 09:50 National research briefing: Exploring the impact of early contractor involvement in public sector projects
09:50 - 10:00 Comfort Break
10:00 - 10:30 Mandating early contractor involvement
This panel will explore the impact of mandating early contractor involvement across public sector schemes
Barney Harle, Head of Major Projects, Manchester City Council
Paul Mann, Regional Director, Gleeds
Mike Lane, Director, Willmott Dixon
Chaired By Robbie Blackhurst, Chair of CCBP
10:30 - 11:00 Enabling early contractor involvement
This panel will explore how to, and how not to, deliver ECI.
Adrian Blackie, Pre-Construction Director, BAM
Richard Cooper, Procurement Contracts Manager, Manchester Airport Group
Julian Cobley, Director, Arcadis
Chaired by Conor Neild-Crabb, Head of Centre, CCBP
11:00 - 11:15 Comfort Break
11:15 - 11:45 Measuring the benefits of early contractor involvement
This panel will take a view of the benefits and drawbacks of early contractor involvement
Jo Harrop, Founder & Director, PLACED
Tim Clement, Morgan Sindall
Phil Higham, Director, RealWorth
Chaired By Lisa Taylor, Executive Director, Future of Greater Manchester
Matt Doran, Victoria North Strategy Lead, Manchester City Council
11:45 - 12:00 Keynote
Lisa Taylor, Executive Director, Future of Greater Manchester
12:30 - 13:00 Closing Remarks & Networking

Our speakers

Barney Harle

Head of Major Projects, Manchester City Council

Barney Harle

Head of Major Projects, Manchester City Council

Barney is a chartered Quantity Surveyor with a background in private sector construction and retail who has more recently worked in the public sector. In his current role he heads Manchester City Council’s Major Projects team who are responsible for construction and refurbishment of facilities in the fields of education, public realm, corporate estates, social housing and leisure. The team are currently responsible for the construction of new social housing, new schools, refurbishment of the international cycling and aquatic centres and an estate wide programme of low carbon retrofit projects to meet MCC’s net zero carbon ambitions for 2038.

Outside of work Barney is a keen cyclist who acts as chief mechanic for Tandem Trekkers a cycling club for the visually impaired and is also a regular part of the GB contingent at the World Human Powered Speed Championships.

Jo Harrop

Founder & Director, PLACED

Jo Harrop

Founder & Director, PLACED

Jo is passionate about diversifying the voices involved in the design and decision-making process in relation to the built environment, enabling the less heard voices to shape our places and spaces. Jo worked in regeneration, housing, and education, gaining significant experience working with diverse stakeholders and communities to understand complex issues within cities and neighbourhoods.

Jo established PLACED a northwest social enterprise in 2011 to deliver creative, accessible, creative programmes that enable people to meaningfully engage with and shape their built environment. She leads the team on strategic delivery and direction of programmes and partnerships. PLACED works with clients from local authorities and City Regions, to housing associations and design teams, and advocates for genuine involvement in the design of places.

Richard Cooper

Procurement Contracts Manager, Manchester Airport Group (MAG)

Richard Cooper

Procurement Contracts Manager, Manchester Airport Group (MAG)

Richard is a Charted Construction Manager “MCIOB” with over 25 years + experience of managing procurement and commercial functions on major construction projects in the UK and aboard.​
Richard currently leads the Commercial and Procurement functions for the Transformation and Major Projects at MAG including the recent Manchester Airport Terminal 2 Transformation scheme.​
 
Richard has a passion for early contractor engagement to and sustainability, and shapes the construction frameworks at MAG to reflect this collaborative approach to construction at MAG

Trevor Steven

CEO, Mindflow

Trevor Steven

CEO, Mindflow

Trevor Steven is a former professional footballer with a career spanning 17 years in the top-flight, playing for Burnley, Everton, Glasgow Rangers and Olympique de Marseille. During his illustrious career, Trevor won 36 England Caps and was part of the 1986 and 1990 World Cup squad.
Since retiring from the playing side of football in 1997, Trevor stayed within the sport, working in broadcast and media. Following a spell working in the Middle East, in 2020 Trevor joined Causeway Technologies, a leading provider of software and services for the construction and maintenance industry, as a Mental Health Ambassador to help project the spotlight onto mental health in the construction industry and campaign for positive change.

Today, Trevor is Chief Executive Officer of Mindflow, a charity founded by Causeway Technologies, committed to championing positive mental health in the construction industry by harnessing the power of football.

Lisa Taylor

Executive Director, Future of Greater Manchester

Lisa Taylor

Executive Director, Future of Greater Manchester

Lisa set up Future of GM in 2020 after six years leading influential Future of London. She focuses on FoGM strategy, connection, content design and consultancy, directs our place leadership programmes, and is a sought-after facilitator and coach. Prior to FoL, she was project director for international TV and events.

Julian Cobley

Director, Arcadis

Julian Cobley

Director, Arcadis

Julian Cobley is a senior director at Arcadis with extensive experience across local government and the private sector, specialising in digital transformation, economic growth, and strategic partnerships. He has held senior leadership roles at Cheshire County Council and Cheshire East Council, led ICT infrastructure across Europe and emerging markets, and served as Partnership Director at Equans. Now Regional Accounts Director for Local Government in the North West at Arcadis, Julian works closely with public sector leaders to tackle complex societal and environmental challenges and create better places for communities. He is also a long-standing trustee and governor of Crewe UTC.

Limited places available. Book your place today.

This event launches the findings from a Government backed study into Early Contractor Involvement. Be the first to discover the cost and programme impact of ECI on public sector projects.

Event details

Date: 3 June 2026

Time: 08:00 - 13:00

Location: The Bridgewater Hall
Lower Mosley Street
Manchester, M2 3WS

The numbers below include tickets for this event already in your cart. Clicking "Get Tickets" will allow you to edit any existing attendee information as well as change ticket quantities.
The cost of late procurement: National evidence briefing
This half day conference marks the launch of a government-backed report into Early Contractor Involvement (ECI), bringing together industry and public-sector leaders to explore what the evidence tells us.
£120.00
75 available
Quantity: 0
Total: £0.00

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