Construct UK successfully hosted and chaired a full-to-capacity panel debate, entitled “AI or Die: Rewriting the Rules of Construction Sales and Marketing”, at UK Construction Week on Thursday.
Held on the Marketing & Procurement Stage, the session brought together leading voices from across the construction, technology, and investment sectors to cut through the hype surrounding artificial intelligence and focus on its real-world impact.
Chaired by Susan Bendall, Co-Director of Construct UK, the panel featured:
- Faisal Amin, Founder, Peak One Partners
- Anthony Buckley-Thorp, Chief Product Officer, Building Radar
- Ceris Burns, Managing Director, CBAi
- Angie Wilkes, Managing Director, Construct Virtual
The discussion explored how AI is already reshaping construction sales and marketing, highlighting practical applications that are delivering measurable results today, while also addressing common misconceptions and barriers to adoption.
Panellists shared first-hand experiences of how AI is being used to save time, improve targeting, and generate leads, alongside honest reflections on where implementation has proven challenging. Key themes included the evolving role of AI in client engagement, concerns over trust and security, and the cultural resistance businesses often face when introducing new technologies.
The debate also tackled bigger-picture questions around whether AI is simply accelerating existing industry trends or fundamentally changing how construction businesses interact with clients, architects, and contractors.
The session concluded with a lively audience Q&A, reinforcing the high level of interest and engagement around the topic.
Susan Bendall commented, “We were delighted to be part of UK Construction Week and to see such a strong turnout for this session. The level of engagement in the room showed just how important – and immediate – the conversation around AI in construction has become. Our aim was to provide practical, no-nonsense insight, and I believe the panel delivered exactly that.”
Attendees left with clear, actionable takeaways, including immediate steps that sales and marketing leaders can take to start using AI effectively – without wasting time, budget, or credibility.
Construct UK would like to thank UK Construction Week for the opportunity to host the session, and all panellists and attendees who contributed to a highly insightful discussion. For organisations looking for support for their sales and marketing activities, staging.constructuk.com/ has a wealth of resources. Find out more here.