Preconstruction Innovation Summit

As the preconstruction function becomes i9ncreasingly more important and central to successful and timely project delivery, the importance of leadership, collaboration, and quality assurance grows. In this opening session, NSW Building Commissioner James Sherrard will reflect on the evolving expectations for early project planning, risk identification, and cross-sector accountability. He’ll also share insights on how regulatory perspectives and industry collaboration can elevate outcomes from the earliest stages of construction.

James Sherrard, Commissioner, Building Commission NSW

This session will explore the latest trends in the Australian construction market and offer a forward-looking forecast for the sector. Attendees will gain insights into the strategic directions, emerging innovations, and key shifts in workforce and policy needed to succeed in a rapidly evolving environment. With global financial markets in flux and uncertainty dominating the outlook, we know that international construction supply chains will be impacted by events like Liberation Day. And while Trump’s policy positions continue to shift, this session will examine the likely implications for the sector — and how preconstruction teams can better prepare for what lies ahead.

• Assessing the outlook for the global and Australian economy and identifying the headwinds and tailwinds shaping the future of construction and infrastructure
• Examining the implications of Liberation Day Tariffs and its potential impact on global construction supply chains
• Reviewing the key drivers of demand for construction and the challenges and opportunities posed by rapid urbanisation
• Considering the impact of net zero and climate change on construction and infrastructure

Dr. Nicholas Fearnley, Head of Global Construction Forecasting, Oxford Economics

As preconstruction takes on a more strategic role in project delivery, success increasingly depends on how well diverse construction teams collaborate with each other and their clients. In this opening panel, preconstruction industry leaders explore how strong client relationships and cohesive teams lead to clearer feasibility, more flexible and informed commercial decisions, and better alignment across the whole lifecycle of a project. The discussion will set the tone for the day by focusing on the real-world impact of trust, clear roles, and aligned expectations.

• Building trust and transparency with clients to improve decision-making and project clarity
• Examining how the right team structures drive better outcomes, not just better processes
• Aligning design, estimating, and delivery teams early to avoid rework, reduce risk and cost escalations
• Creating space for flexible, commercially viable contract conversations to navigate feasibility, scope, and approvals more effectively
• Comparing delivery models and how they influence collaboration and improve commercial clarity

Panellists include:

Jack Robson, Head of Strategy and Conversion, Built

Adam Ashcroft, General Manager, Growthbuilt

Daniel McLean, State Pre-Construction Manager, VIC, ADCO Constructions

Moderated by:

Martin Fenn, Manufacturing and Integration Lead, PT Blink

In this session we bring together delegates for a series of 40 minute facilitated round table discussions with leading industry experts. Join the table that interests you most to discuss hot topics and share ideas for tackling some of the biggest challenges on the road to success in preconstruction. The session will close with a 2-minute summation by each of the Roundtable leads.

Round Table 1:         Enhancing collaboration between stakeholders

Facilitated by: Adam Alfonsi, Senior Procurement Manager – NSW/ACT, BMD Group

Round Table 2:            Maintaining effective cost controls across the preconstruction and estimation phase of projects
Facilitated by: Guilain Chevreul, Senior Finance Manager, ACCIONA

Round Table 3:            ESG’s relationship to preconstruction, what it is, why it matters, and how we best respond internally and to client requirements.
Facilitated by: Leah Singer, Director, Entwine

Round Table 4:          From draft to win: Rethinking the bid lifecycle with AI
Facilitated by: Rafael Garcia-Krailing, Chief Operating Officer, AutogenAI and Jack Brandon, Account Executive, AutogenAI

Round Table 5:        Addressing workforce challenges in preconstruction

Facilitated by: Kirsten Wade, Business Development Manager, BMD Group

Round Table 6:        Navigating regulatory complexities in project approvals

Round Table 7:        Managing risk through flexible contract structures

Round Table 8:        Improving documentation quality and scope clarity
Facilitated by: Adam Alfonsi, Senior Procurement Manager – NSW/ACT, BMD Group

Adam Alfonsi, Senior Procurement Manager - NSW/ACT, BMD Group

Guilain Chevreul, Senior Finance Manager, ACCIONA

Leah Singer, Director, Entwine

Rafael Garcia-Krailing, Chief Operating Officer, AutogenAI

Jack Brandon, Account Executive, AutogenAI

Kirsten Wade, Business Development Manager, BMD Group

In just a few years, AutogenAI has grown from a startup into a global force in bid writing and automation, supporting some of the world’s largest contractors across infrastructure, construction, and professional services. In this session, Rafael Garcia-Krailing shares the story of that growth, including key lessons from launching in the UK, US, and Australia. You’ll hear real success stories of how customers have used automation to increase win rates, reduce writing time, and unlock strategic capacity across their bid teams. We’ll also explore how the AI landscape is evolving: where we’ve been, where we are now, and where we’re headed next — and what that means for organisations looking to stay competitive in an increasingly automated world.

Rafael Garcia-Krailing, Chief Operating Officer, AutogenAI

When early-stage design and preconstruction management are misaligned, it leads to rework, cost blowouts, and lost value. This panel explores how collaboration between design, cost, and delivery teams can improve buildability and reduce risk. We’ll also examine the digital divide – especially downstream – where many subcontractors still rely on analogue processes. From document control to consultant engagement, the session unpacks how stronger design-phase coordination drives better and more sustainable outcomes.

• Breaking down the disconnect between design ambition and construction realities
• Exploring how preconstruction teams can influence design outcomes without compromising intent
• Improving communication loops between consultants, clients, and contractors
• Reducing risk through early documentation review, design freeze protocols, and staged sign-offs
• Bridging the gap between analogue and digital tools across the supply chain
• Examining the role digital tools play in tracking changes, coordinating inputs, and ensuring up-to-date information reaches site teams on-time

Panellists:

Kurt Brissett, Chief Digital and Information Officer, Built

Alberto Sanchez, Head of Planning, Lendlease

Andrew Deck, Project Director, Seymour Whyte Group

Adam Alfonsi, Senior Procurement Manager - NSW/ACT, BMD Group

Moderated by:

Rafael Garcia-Krailing, Chief Operating Officer, AutogenAI

Unfair contract terms can increase project risk for everyone—not just the contractor. This session will explore how smarter, more collaborative risk allocation during the preconstruction phase leads to better project outcomes.

• How extreme risk-shifting impacts project delivery
• Why fairer contracts support stronger collaboration and sustainability
• Practical strategies for balancing client and contractor needs
• Building an industry culture that rewards transparent, achievable contracts

As market conditions remain volatile and pressure on margins continues, preconstruction teams must rethink how they price risk, build trust with clients, and secure projects without compromising viability. In this closing discussion, commercial and estimating leaders will unpack the evolving strategies shaping the way construction firms pursue and secure work – from recalibrating risk to strengthening bid/no-bid decision frameworks.

• Examining how rising costs and delays are reshaping estimating strategies and what this means for you and your project?
• Balancing competitiveness with margin protection in today’s bidding environment to improve outcomes for contractors and project owners
• Collaborating earlier with clients to align expectations and reduce risk
• Risk transfer vs. risk management: where should the line be drawn?
• Strengthening the link between design, estimating, and delivery to reduce surprises later

Panellists include:

Charlotte Nichols, Engineering Services National Lead Cost Planning & Estimating | Building Group, John Holland

Kyle Bosworth, Estimating Manager, Richard Crookes Constructions

Kirsten Wade, Business Development Manager, BMD Group

Moderated by:

John Fitzgibbon, Pre-Construction Solutions Expert,

From carbon tracking platforms to AI-driven design tools and cloud-based data ecosystems, technology is transforming how projects are scoped, priced, and coordinated long before construction begins. In this session, you’ll hear three rapid-fire 5-minute presentations from companies at the forefront of preconstruction innovation. The presenters will then join a 20-minute discussion on how these tools are reshaping the sector—accelerating delivery, improving accuracy, and helping teams meet ESG goals.

Talk 1: Estimation in the age of AI

Led by: Jon Sibley, Founder and CEO, TRUEBUILT

Talk 2: Real-Time Workforce Monitoring & Site Safety Enhancements

Talk 3: Centralising data storage for better project visibility and stakeholder collaboration

Talk 4: Generative Design and AI-Assisted Concept Planning

Jon Sibley, Founder and CEO, TRUEBUILT

Moderated by:

Rene Essomba, Co-Founder & Co-Host, What The Tech!? Podcast/ Oricha.ai

As pressure grows for the construction sector to reduce its environmental impact, sustainability must be embedded early – well before ground is broken. This panel will explore how preconstruction teams are aligning design, procurement, and delivery decisions with sustainability targets, and what tools, processes, and partnerships are making a measurable difference.

• Mitigating risk through climate resiliency assessments for climate transition and physical
• Integrating carbon budgets into planning workflows and reducing embodied carbon through efficient design, smart material choices, and reuse strategies.
• Navigating evolving client expectations and ESG requirements
• Aligning consultants, contractors, and suppliers around shared net-zero goals
• Understanding how cultural, contractual, and operational changes can unlock more sustainable project outcomes

Panellists include:

Rory Bracken, Head of Carbon and Circular Economy, Fulton Hogan

Renee Zaitouni, National ESG Coordinator, ADCO Constructions

Mark Falconer, Preconstruction & Sustainability Manager, Douglas Construction & Engineering

Dr Fatima Afzal, Head of Course - Construction Management, Central Queensland University

Moderated by:

Leah Singer, Director, Entwine