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ACE International Conference - last chance to book

Global Infrastructure challenges

Global infrastructure leaders from across engineering and consultancy will set out a unique perspective on the opportunities for UK businesses and professionals at the ACE International Conference on Wednesday, 20 May.

The keynote speaker line-up for this launch event now includes Mark Whyte, Director Crisis and Security Consulting at global specials Control Risks who will set the scene for global opportunities available to the global infrastructure market and analyse the risks and challenges from this rapidly expanding sector.

Whyte will draw on his experience in the planning and delivery of major security and resilience programmes for critical infrastructure and built environment projects. Prior to joining Control Risks he headed the security and counterterrorism design and engineering practice at Carillion (TPS), and previously served as a lieutenant colonel in the British Army Intelligence Corps. 

For details of the conference, programme and speakers and to book your place at the event on 20 May, visit the International Conference website at www.ace-international-conference.co.uk

Also on the speaker line up is Ogan Kose, managing director, Accenture Strategy who will set out the challenges and opportunities around new international infrastructure financing solutions.

Kose’s delivery will explain and discuss what constitutes a quality investable project and explain the emerging financial mechanisms being used to bring projects to life across the world and how infrastructure professionals can influence deliverability.

UKTI Senior International Advisor Malcolm Cohen has also joined the programme to highlight the significant business opportunities – and government assistance - now available to small and medium sized enterprises in the global market.

Mark Beresford-Smith, senior economist from HSBC joins the conference to set out and explore the pitfalls of working globally and identify strategies to properly managing the risks. The session will provide facts and experience needed to manage the critical issues which can often turn a good business opportunity into a high risk, low return or even business failure.

Sponsors:

Bentley Systems

Griffiths and Armour

EY 

The day will conclude with a unique insight into and perspective on the global market by Atkins group chief executive Uwe Krueger, drawing on his global experience and recent work with the Global Infrastructure Initiative and at influential panels at the World Economic Forum. 

Other speakers and panellist from across the global industry will bring delegates from the unique insight on current and future global business opportunities, post-recession drivers of change, investment strategies and successful approaches to navigating market entry risks and barriers.

“We operate in a rapidly changing business environment and the ACE International Conference provides the perfect platform to learn from a variety of stakeholders how political, financial and technological trends are impacting how global infrastructure projects are delivered.” Tom Smith, Global Director, Property & Buildings, WSP | Parsons Brinckerhoff

Speakers already confirmed include:

  • Mike Haigh, UK managing director, Mott MacDonald
  • Philippe Valahu, chief executive, PMU
  • John Horgan, AECOM, managing director, EMEA and India
  • Andrew Ivison, partner, CMS Cameron McKenna 
  • Malcolm Bairstow, senior partner, EY
  • Gavin English, MD IMC Worldwide, chair ACE International business group
  • Bernard Obika, managing director, Roughton Group
  • Mathew Riley, Arcadis EC Harris
  • Mark Whitby, Whitby Mulhair
  • Julia Prescot, chief strategy officer, Meridiam
  • Ben Mellors, partner, Beale and Company
  • Ailie MacAdam, senior vice president, Infrastructure, Bechtel
  • Paul Westbury, group technical director, Laing O’Rourke

Delegates from across the range of businesses across the sector will be given insight into how to take advantage of the growing global infrastructure opportunities available to UK infrastructure professionals around the world.

“The quality of the high profile speakers and discussions planned on the growing global infrastructure opportunities this year is tremendous.” Gavin English managing director of IMC Worldwide and chair ACE International business group

Other topic to be covered include manage the risk of overseas business opportunities, the international role for small and medium sized businesses, overcoming barrier to market entry, understanding the global infrastructure growth hot spots, UK global success stories and learning from mistakes made in the past.  

In particular the conference will also be a critical event to help young professionals to understand the complex and exciting career opportunities on offer around the world of infrastructure. To assist, concessionary pricing is offered to ACE Progress Network members. 

For details of the conference, programme and speakers and to book your place at the event on 20 May, visit the International Conference website at www.ace-international-conference.co.uk

“Maximising Global Infrastructure Opportunities”  - 20 May 2015 – 1VS Westminster Conference Centre

“Seems a must for anyone serious about developing  international business in infrastructure.” Bernard Obika, managing director, Roughton Group

Reasons to attend

  • Understand how you can take advantage of the growing global infrastructure opportunities available to UK infrastructure professionals around the world.
  •  Join in the debate about the how best to manage the risk of overseas business opportunities. 
  • Does size matter – what is the international role for small and medium sized businesses? 
  • Gain insights into where the global infrastructure growth hot spots are and in what sectors
  • Hear case studies from UK global success stories and learn from mistakes made in the past.  
  • Understand the benefits and challenges of establishing a local presence for your business when chasing international clients.
  • Learn about how both large and small businesses can overcome the barriers to international market entry.
  • Gain expert insight into how to effectively negotiate the regulatory and bureaucratic challenges of building businesses abroad.
  • Contribute to the debate about the challenges of market consolidation in consultancy so as to understand the global opportunities that different sized businesses can benefit from.
  • Network with ACE members, their partners and supply chain.
If you would like to contact Antony Oliver about this, or any other story, please email antony.oliver@infrastructure-intelligence.com.