In 2012 Marcel Hendricks set up the Education Construction Network (ECN) to provide sector specific networking at a time when information in relation to design, procurement and tender opportunities was difficult to come by.

 

The concept arose after speaking to organisations who were reviewing their marketing and business development budgets. They were unwilling to continually spend large amounts of money to attend conferences where little new information was shared, coupled with limited time to network with colleagues and peers.

 

Having organised various one-off networking events and conferences, Marcel wanted to create something which was user friendly without being too much of a burden on financial and time resources and be accessible to as wide an audience as possible.

 

There are over 100 companies who have joined the ECN from architects, engineers and project managers to constructors, manufacturers and suppliers. All share a passion for the sectors they are involved in and a desire to seek new opportunities for their businesses.

 

Following the success of the ECN, the Residential Construction Network was launched in 2014, with 2016 seeing the arrival of the Healthcare Construction Network.

 

The Alliance of Construction Networks now brings together these three organisations, with cross sector events incorporated into the calendar.