Scotland’s construction industry gathers in Glasgow today for an expanded national summit bringing together contractors, developers, policymakers, housing organisations and public sector leaders.

The Scottish Construction Summit is being held at the SEC in Glasgow on Thursday 22 October, with the event moving to Hall 5 after its inaugural gathering at the University of Strathclyde last year.

Organisers say the move reflects significant growth in the event, which is significantly larger than its first edition.

The industry summit runs from 9.30am until 4pm and includes an exhibition alongside programmes running across three stages: the Main Stage, Scottish Construction Now Stage and a dedicated Scottish Housing Summit Stage.

The agenda puts some of the biggest challenges facing the industry at the centre of the discussion, including recruitment and retention, construction costs and procurement, artificial intelligence, digital technology, sustainability, housing delivery and the transition to lower-carbon buildings.

Scottish Futures Trust chief executive Peter Reekie is among the opening speakers, while Lisa Goldie, head of construction procurement policy at the Scottish Government, will address the commercial environment facing the industry.

Steven Boyd MBE, former chief executive of the UK Government Property Agency, is delivering the summit's keynote address.

Mark Farmer, founder of construction consultancy Cast and author of the influential Modernise or Die review of the UK construction industry, is also appearing on the main stage.

Other sessions will explore the use of AI in construction bids and live projects, recruitment, sustainable design, circular construction, public sector tendering and the industry's skills requirements.

Housing has been given a substantially larger role at the 2026 event.

The new Scottish Housing Summit brings together housebuilders, housing associations, architects, planners, energy specialists and policymakers at a time when Scotland remains under a national housing emergency.

Sessions include discussions about how many new homes Scotland needs, sustainable retrofit, planning and place-making, heat networks and the proposed More Homes Scotland agency.

A panel chaired by Chartered Institute of Building Scotland lead Dr Jocelyne Fleming will examine what the housing industry needs from More Homes Scotland, with representatives from AS Homes and Briar Homes, Sanctuary Scotland, Homes for Scotland and Persimmon Homes taking part.Other sessions will explore the use of AI in construction bids and live projects, recruitment, sustainable design, circular construction, public sector tendering and the industry's skills requirements.

Housing has been given a substantially larger role at the 2026 event.

The new Scottish Housing Summit brings together housebuilders, housing associations, architects, planners, energy specialists and policymakers at a time when Scotland remains under a national housing emergency.

Sessions include discussions about how many new homes Scotland needs, sustainable retrofit, planning and place-making, heat networks and the proposed More Homes Scotland agency.

A panel chaired by Chartered Institute of Building Scotland lead Dr Jocelyne Fleming will examine what the housing industry needs from More Homes Scotland, with representatives from AS Homes and Briar Homes, Sanctuary Scotland, Homes for Scotland and Persimmon Homes taking part.

The Scottish Government has said More Homes Scotland will begin operating from April 2027, with the new agency intended to bring funding, expertise and delivery powers together to accelerate housebuilding and unlock stalled developments.

The summit also comes as construction remains one of Scotland's largest industries.

Scottish Government figures show around 157,000 people were employed in construction in Scotland in 2024, representing 5.9 per cent of total employment.

There were 22,930 registered construction businesses in Scotland by March 2025, with more than 98 per cent classed as small businesses. The sector generated turnover of around £25.1 billion in 2023.

Skills are another recurring theme throughout today's event, including a new Future Talent Hub intended to connect people entering the industry with construction employers and organisations.

The summit programme includes sessions on recruitment and retention throughout the day before concluding with a discussion on developing the skills required for a healthier and increasingly digital construction sector.

More than 1,000 people had already registered for the Scottish Construction Summit and its accompanying housing event by late September, when organisers had also confirmed more than 65 exhibitors and sponsors and more than 40 speakers.

The Scottish Construction Summit is organised by Scottish Construction Now, with SPI Piling serving as headline sponsor.