On 11 June, the BOPAS Forum returned for its eighth edition—this time hosted by Hadley Frame in Oldbury—and delivered what many delegates described as the best Forum yet. It was a day defined by two things: torrential, unrelenting rain and a sector determined to push forward with industrialised construction despite the storm overhead.
Yet the conditions only seemed to heighten the sense of commitment in the room.
Setting the Scene: Pride, Purpose and a Sector in Transition
From the outset, one theme stood out: pride. Delegates repeatedly commented on the evident pride shown by Steve Chesters in presenting Hadley Frame’s work. His overview of the business—specialists in cold roll‑formed steel systems serving construction, infrastructure, transport and industry—set the tone for the day. He made clear how Hadley Frame’s processes, systems and culture align with the Forum’s central theme: industrialised construction (IC).
One attendee summed it up simply:
“The thing that stood out for me the most was Steve Chesters’ obvious pride in what Hadley Frame were doing.”
Showcasing Excellence: Certification and Growth
A highlight of the morning was the presentation of the BOPAS certificate to Edorath, part of AtkinsRéalis. Robert Webb, Head of Business Systems, delivered an engaging overview of the organisation’s growth strategy—and revealed the story behind the name: an anagram of “Everyone Deserves A Roof Over Their Head”, a mission firmly rooted in social housing.
Industrialised Construction: A Conversation That’s Only Just Beginning
One of the most valuable parts of the day was the panel session chaired by Terry Mundy, bringing together:
- Oliver Novakovic, Barratt Redrow
- Steve Chesters, Hadley Frame
- Eva Magnisali, CEO & Founder, Datalab Form
- Mike Ormesher, CEO, Ottersbrook Consulting
Because Steve and Oliver had already set out their perspectives earlier in the programme, Terry invited Eva and Mike to go deeper into the realities of implementing industrialised construction.
Their insights were candid and resonated strongly with the audience.
They identified a multifaceted set of barriers, including:
- fragmented supply‑chain integration
- cultural resistance to new delivery models
- lack of confidence to invest
- inconsistent demand signals
- challenges in scaling digital and manufacturing capability
This honesty — grounded in real‑world experience — was widely praised by delegates and helped anchor the IC conversation in practical, actionable reality.
Factory Tour: BIM, Integration and Manufacturing Discipline
Hadley Frame went to exceptional lengths to deliver a meaningful factory tour. Delegates praised the balance between shop‑floor immersion and process explanation, with staff providing detailed insights into design integration, manufacturing flow, and logistics from factory to site.
For some, the most valuable aspect was the clear link to Building Information Modelling (BIM)—particularly relevant for organisations like LRQA delivering ISO 19650‑2 certification.
One attendee noted:
“The tour had a number of links to BIM, which was important to me. It showed how digital assurance and manufacturing discipline come together.”
A Forum That Delivered—Despite the Storm
Despite the weather, or perhaps because of it, the Forum achieved something memorable:
- high attendance
- strong engagement
- honest discussion
- a clear appetite to push the IC agenda further
As one delegate put it:
“The event was the best one I have been to, with good participation throughout.”
The rain may have dominated the first two hours, but it didn’t dampen the energy, ambition or collaboration that define the BOPAS community.
The sector is ready for the next step—and the conversation on industrialised construction is only just beginning.
