Why supporting early careers is vital in our industry

Thank you to Simran Dusanjh from AHR, alongside Erin Hadley from Core Five and Charlotte Youe from Ramboll, for organising this event, a brilliant example of cross industry collaboration in action. We’re proud to recognise Simran’s role in driving the event forward and co-founding the group;  her commitment to bringing people together in a fun, inclusive and sociable environment is something we truly value and champion. 

It was fantastic see so many people from across the industry step outside their comfort zone, sharing experiences and building relationships that will help shape our industries future. Events like this are so important in supporting rising talent, and we’re thrilled to see such a strong appetite for collaboration, connection and community, here’s to many more evenings like it.

Turning introductions into real conversations

We know that networking can be intimidating. Walking into a room full of strangers is something many of us find uncomfortable, and its often the biggest barrier to building meaningful professional relationships. That is exactly why evenings like these matter. 

A simple icebreaker opened the evening: everyone was tasked with finding the person whose name badge they were holding, using nothing but natural conversation to do it. It was a light-hearted touch that got people talking almost immediately.

What followed was a series of thoughtful, wide-ranging conversations. Young professionals from across the construction industry shared advice, speaking honestly about navigating their careers and set about making real connections.

Growing careers through connection 

Director of our Birmingham office, Simon Lamprell’s opening presentation on marketing and business development in architecture and the construction industry provided a strong focal point for the evening. He explored the importance of building networks in a way that feels authentic and aligned with individual strengths and that networking confidence develops through practice, persistence and patience. 

By the end of the evening, people who had arrived in familiar clusters found themselves drawn into conversations with new faces, not just exchanging LinkedIn details but leaving with new contacts, stronger confidence and relationships across the Midlands construction community. 

If you’re an emerging industry professional who hasn’t attended an event like this yet, keep an eye on our Linkedin and Instagram for information on upcoming events.