Speakers
Richard Beresford
Rob Wright
Chris Abbey
Danny Dwyer
Business Management
Session overview: In a Question-Time style discussion, this session tackles the commercial realities facing the scaffolding sector head-on. Structured around three interconnected pillars - Skills, Safety and Success - the panel brings together voices from government, construction, scaffolding contractors and suppliers to explore the most difficult challenges faced across the supply chain and address what each link in the chain needs from each other to succeed. Topics will be topical - including fair payment, contract terms, workforce pressures and how scaffolding firms can build stronger relationships with clients.
Why this session matters: This session puts the client, the contractor, the supplier and the government in the same room to say what they actually think and what works. If you want to win better contracts, get paid fairly and build a business with a reputation that opens doors, the insights from this session are worth acting on immediately.
Richard Beresford joined the National Federation of Builders (NFB) as Chief Executive in June 2014. As well as heading up daily operations, he works closely with the NFB board, comprised of members, to define organisational strategy and priorities. As the link between NFB business and members across England and Wales, he is at the forefront of the federation and able to offer a unique and multi-faceted perspective. In addition to his expertise in construction, he has worked in financial services, telecommunications, and healthcare, providing him with cross-industry commercial awareness.
Rob Wright has over 30 years of experience working within a variety of heavy industries such as mining, steel, petrochemical and construction and is currently Director of Group Health, Safety & Environmental Director at Lindum Group.
Rob started his working life as Apprentice welder within the Steel industry – working his way into management and then Health, Safety and environment. Health and safety allowed Rob to travel the world working in a variety of sectors, cultures and legislations. Rob has worked in a range of diverse locations and industries, some unsophisticated, some highly regulated (Petrochemicals) but all considered dangerous! “I learned that systems, procedures and policies are key components, but that communication and leadership are crucial to implementing an effective H&S strategy.”
The philosophy of Rob and his teams is that: managing a Health & Safety strategy within an organisation can do so much more than keeping colleagues from harm; it should provide the comfort to deliver products and services in a safe working environment supported by systems, procedures and policies which are understood and accepted by everyone and ultimately result in a positive impact on our mental health.
Rob’s strong commitment to health and safety within the construction industry led to his appointment to the Board of Directors for the National Federation of Builders in 2025. In this role, he represents the building profession at a national level, contributing strategic insight on key industry policies and promoting high standards of excellence, innovation, and best practice across the sector.
Chris Abbey is Senior Vice President, HSE for Altrad across the UK, Ireland, and Nordics, bringing nearly three decades of experience in health, safety, and environmental leadership within high-risk industrial sectors. He is responsible for shaping and delivering strategic HSE frameworks that drive operational excellence, strengthen governance, and support sustainable business performance.
Chris is widely recognised for his practical, people-first leadership style and his commitment to creating a culture of care—where safety, wellbeing, and accountability are embedded into everyday behaviours. Drawing on deep frontline experience, he works with leaders and teams to build trust, improve engagement, and deliver lasting improvements in safety performance.
A strong advocate for behavioural safety and leadership accountability, Chris helps organisations move beyond compliance towards high-reliability performance. He is also passionate about mental health and wellbeing, supporting initiatives such as the Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) to encourage open conversations and reduce stigma in the workplace
Danny Dwyer is the Managing Director of PHD Access. Having initially qualified as a Civil Engineer Danny worked for a large multi-national construction company before returning to the family business.
PHD Access is an international award-winning scaffolding and access provider, with a strong focus on delivering innovative solutions that exceed client expectations. In the 35 plus years’ experience, they have worked on bespoke and high-end projects in the UK, Ireland, Denmark, Dubai and the Bahamas.
Fergus Harradence leads for the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade (DBIST) on sponsorship of the infrastructure, construction, logistics, airports and water sectors.
Since joining the Civil Service in 2000, he has worked in a number of Departments in a range of economic policy roles, including trade policy, export promotion, innovation and corporate tax. His current responsibilities include DBIST's policies to help improve the productivity and environmental performance of the construction, airports and water sectors, including through decarbonising buildings and construction operations, strengthening the logistics sector and supply chains in the UK, and managing the relationship with the construction sector through the Construction Leadership Council.