ETIM UK has confirmed the four speakers taking part in its panel discussion at Digital Construction Week 2023.  Chaired by Dame Judith Hackitt, the panel will discuss building safety as a driver for digitalisation, and the need for standardised product data to enable and accelerate the process.

Successful digitalisation requires participation from all stakeholders in the construction process, represented by the four panellists:

Angus Macdonald is the Founder and CEO of Galion, an award-winning South-West based property development company creating traditionally designed homes for contemporary living.  Galion is focused on sustainable construction, providing homes that have minimal impact on the environment and communities around them.  In 2010, Angus founded British Solar Renewables Ltd, with a view to reducing global reliance on fossil fuels. 600MW of solar power were delivered during his 6-year tenure, and his ethos continues a drive to help reverse climate change.

Nico van der Merwe is Chief Executive Officer for Signify UK and Ireland (formerly Philips Lighting).  He has two decades of experience leading and transforming international businesses, with a track record of developing and implementing new business models and delivering sustainable results. Nico is focused on growing the voice and opportunities for electrical manufacturers in the UK. He is also chairman at Voltimum UK, a leading digital media business and sales enabler for the electrical industry, and a director at ETIM UK.

Frank Elkins is Group Chief Operating Officer of Travis Perkins where he is responsible for the operational  and strategic development for the Group’s businesses which include : Travis Perkins, Toolstation, BSS,Keyline and CCF. He is passionate about the development of the customer proposition through modernisation, skills development  and the ongoing raising of standards in health, safety and wellbeing. Frank also sits on the BMF Board where he has strategic responsibility for skills and people development.

Stephen Jeffery is Chief Technical Officer at Mace and a member of the company’s Group Board, where he holds overall responsibility for Mace’s technical services delivery across the company’s construction, develop, operate and consultancy projects.  He has a particular focus on the promotion of digital transformation, off-site manufacturing and other modern methods of construction.  He also chairs Mace’s Innovation Board and co-chairs the company’s Digital Transformation Group, and Health, Safety & Wellbeing Leadership.

Taking place on Thursday 18 May at the ExCel Centre in London, the panel discussion will be followed by a reception and lunch on the Sunborn Yacht Hotel, jointly hosted by the BMF and the EDA.

ETIM is the tried and tested data international standard for structured product data, specifically technical and performance data.  It was adopted by the Builders Merchants Federation (BMF) in 2019 for building materials, HVAC and plumbing products, having been introduced to the UK’s electrotechnical sector in 2017 by the Electrical Distributors’ Association (EDA).