Yesterday, we had the privilege of attending the Supply Chain Sustainability School FIR Conference and the Inspiring Change Awards in London, a day dedicated to promoting Fairness, Inclusion and Respect (FIR) across the construction and infrastructure sectors. The energy in the room was inspiring, and the conversations were refreshingly candid.

We caught up with Ella, who reflected on the opening keynote from Nadine Pemberton of CITB. “Nadine’s announcement of the £850k investment into EDI really set the tone for the day. It felt like a clear signal that change is not just encouraged, it’s being funded and prioritised. There’s momentum now, and being there to hear that first-hand was a standout moment.”

One of the conference’s most striking themes was how EDI priorities often struggle to reach site level. Caitlyn noted, “It was eye-opening to realise how frequently budgets and leadership buy-in don’t align. You can have the best policies in place, but if the message doesn’t make it to those delivering the work day-to-day, the impact is lost.”

Throughout the day, a recurring message was the importance of moving beyond the term “EDI” and embracing language around inclusion, wellbeing, and belonging. This shift in focus aims to make these values more meaningful across all levels of an organisation. Caitlyn shared, “That change in terminology resonated with so many people in the room. It’s about making this work human, relatable and not just ticking boxes.”

The conference also gave space for real honesty. During one panel, representatives from a major UK contractor admitted they often struggle to tell whether clients genuinely care about EDI or just include it for the sake of procurement criteria. In contrast, another shared how EDI is deeply embedded within their leadership, creating a clear expectation for all partners.

We asked Ella about that contrast. “It’s a reality check. You see a real divide, some organisations live and breathe EDI, while others just perform it. I appreciated the transparency from everyone involved. It made for better conversations.”

One such conversation came from Network Rail’s Ripesh Patel, who shared not just powerful words, but a real sense of responsibility. With 70% of their 4,800 suppliers being SMEs, the challenge, and opportunity, to influence at scale is immense.

Another highlight was celebrating excellence through the Inspiring Change Awards. Belina Blake of National Highways was honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award. Ella said, “hearing Belina’s contributions and legacy made me feel proud to be in this industry.”

Our table discussions were equally impactful. We were lucky enough to sit with Jennie Martin MBE FCILT, whose insights on transport and infrastructure policy, and how inclusion fits into that were truly fascinating.

From morning arrivals to the final panel exploring what construction can learn from other industries, the day was full of learning, connection, and, importantly, action.

As a recruitment agency we felt it was important to be in the room for these conversations. It’s a reminder that we have a role to play too. Caitlyn summed it up perfectly: “There’s still work to do, but events like this show how powerful collaboration can be. We’re here to listen, learn, and lead by example.”

We’re proud to be part of the conversation, and even prouder to help drive change across the sector.