On 9th October, we welcomed industry leaders, changemakers, and passionate advocates to our ‘Coalition in Conversation’ Conference – and the feedback has been incredible.
Attendees described the event as “thought-provoking, practical, and deeply human.” From powerful storytelling to interactive workshops, the day was filled with meaningful conversations that challenged perspectives and inspired action.
A standout session came from Mark Freed, whose keynote was described as a “lightbulb moment.” His authentic reflections reminded us that inclusion is not just a policy — it’s personal. As Mark said: “Turn the mirror on yourself — inclusion starts with YOU.”
During the Q&A, our panellists shared practical, honest advice for driving inclusion in the workplace:
- Angela Rushforth encouraged us to “steal with pride” — learn from and adopt great ideas from fellow Coalition members.
- Carrie Dunn reminded us to “listen first to the voices in your own organisation” to find your direction.
- Gemma Webb emphasised the importance of leadership buy-in, urging leaders to “loudly leave” — visibly prioritising family moments like sports days and nativity plays to role model an inclusive culture.
- Rachel Wheeler advised us to “understand the problem you’re trying to fix” and to “educate, educate, educate — we don’t know what we don’t know.”
- Mark Freed closed with a powerful call to action: “Turn the mirror on yourself — inclusion starts with YOU.”
We’re proud to have created a space where lived experience was at the heart of every conversation. Huge thanks to our speakers, facilitators, and attendees.
Let’s keep the momentum going. Together, we’re building a more inclusive future for construction.
