Karen Kirkham is a construction lawyer at BDB Pitmans LLP. She has 30 years’ experience working with JCT contracts, advising clients from all sectors of the industry. Her clients include commercial developers, occupiers, charities, local authorities, public infrastructure companies, contractors, sub-contractors, architects, and individual householders. Karen has been listed as a leading construction legal practitioner in Chambers since 2008 and regularly publishes articles on topical construction issues.

Karen’s involvement and interest in JCT goes back a long way. She is a former legal director of the Construction Confederation during a key period for the industry when major legislation, including the Housing Grants, Construction and Regeneration Act 1996 and Arbitration Act 1996, was being passed.

Katy Dowding has been president and CEO of Skanska UK since May 2023, following a construction career spanning more than 35 years. She has a wide breadth of experience across the building, infrastructure and service sectors, including defence, transportation, education, commercial office, light industrial and healthcare.

A highly respected figure in UK construction, Katy sits on the industry-level Construction Productivity Taskforce. She was also a member of the Skanska Costain STRABAG joint venture board, overseeing the delivery of the London tunnels section of High Speed 2.

A passionate advocate for greater inclusivity within construction, Katy chaired the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) for eight years and has been executive sponsor of Skanska UK’s Womxn’s and Pride LGBTQ+ employee networks.