'International' agenda takes centre stage at #CPSummit2026
- Digital Twin Skills Academy CIC
- 3 days ago
- 4 min read
"the 'global' skills conversation, has never been more important!"
_ Dr Bola Abisogun OBE
The diversity of participant, across both days, was deep and extensive, with senior leadership drawn from across government, industry and academia.
Credit: Connected Places Catapult
...... the range of topics & speakers was vast ........
Credit: Connected Places Catapult
Credit: Connected Places Catapult
"BUSTING BARRIERS & UNLEASHING THE POWER OF CONNECTED DIGITAL TWINS"
Moderator (June 2023): Justin Anderson, Director of the Digital Twin Hub, Connected Places Catapult.
Businesses can reap unprecedented value and return on investment from connecting digital twins, but what challenges and barriers are preventing industry from implementing systems thinking? And how can we enable system-level innovation across industries?
Credit: Digital Twin Hub (June 2023)
After an amazing three years of partnership working, at the DTSA - where we continue to make the case for #upskilling and the 'systems-level' adoption of connected #digitaltwins - we very much look forward to supporting the wider, national (and emerging international) agenda, now being forged by Justin and his talented team, at Connected Places Catapult ...... watch this space!
Despite the intentions and 'ever increasing' ambitions of government, the language and inclusivity of 'standard' #procurement processes, across the #publicsector is still a challenge for many small business owners. As Chair of the Black Business Association at the London Chamber of Commerce & Industry 'LCCI', (where I remain a NED / Board Member), we are seeking better solutions to facilitate more productive and meaningful ways, for micro and small businesses to engage, and scale.
Credit: LCCI, London
And, it was heartening to hear from a Senior Representative at Department for Business & Trade, that the role of small business, (particularly the micro-business, less than 10 staff employed) in consideration of the country's pursuit of greater innovation, is now being recognised much more seriously, due to an emerging proliferation of UK start-ups in AI.
This dovetails well with the recent Tech Prosperity Deal agreed between the UK and US as part of President Donald Trump’s second state visit to the UK, late last year. With the US standing as the UK’s largest individual export market for goods and services, as well as its largest source of inward investment, strengthening this 'special' relationship is central to the success of UK businesses, particularly those based in London. Voted as the World's Best City 2026 _ and, as the nation’s economic hub, & a major contributor to the UK’s export market, a thriving London economy will (and should) benefit the country as a whole.
With current procurement ambitions, more generally in the UK, now being discussed in recognition of more 'business friendly' solutions noting some of the more common #BAU models, as deployed across the United States of America; specifically the emerging concept of PPP / P3 projects _ the embedded contractual requirements to utilise and demonstrate both 'dynamic' and diverse #supplychain #partnership models, that create and sustain social value legacies, has never been more timely.
Supported by the Construction Leadership Team at Connected Places Catapult _ a full copy of the UK's Digital Construction Capability (May 2023) can be downloaded, using the link below _
And on the topic of both, international and domestic #procurement opportunities, the public facing presence of DBT's very own Rodney Berkeley CBE, has further inspired us at the DTSA; so again, watch this space!
The amazing panel, was 'expertly moderated' by Elena Williams, Director for International and Trade, Connected Places Catapult 'CPC'. Such a riveting conversation that had the audience asking some fairly technical questions ..... all of which were addressed by the panel.
Followed, by a 'chance' meeting, with a CPC Board Member .........
................. it was great to meet Claudette Forbes too - who, literally insisted on joining our #selfie - and, as an esteemed Member of the Connected Places Catapult Board, her request was happily embraced and dutifully acknowledged, by both of us ......
Notwithstanding, any 'procurement' reservations have since been mitigated following a very kind introduction to Rikesh, via the amazing Kayleigh (ex-RICS) ..... we are looking forward to seeing how 'international' commercial opportunities in 'digital construction' can be 'repackaged' to include, both the 'start-up' & micro business community, alongside the wider SME business sector.
Yes, it was a very long day ......... the 18th March 2026, ending with my annual stint at the #DCAwards2026 _ where I sat alongside my fellow Judges to witness 'the #Oscars' of digital construction .......
Just another fabulous opportunity to meet up with 'friends and family' - to discuss all things 'digital' / 'policy', success and/or failures(!) - onwards and upwards for 2027!
And finally,
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