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This year's Members' Day brought together more than 100 collaboration professionals from across the ICW network at Plaisterers' Hall in London to connect, share ideas and learn how effective collaboration delivers better outcomes across organisations, projects and society.

Through a series of thought-provoking presentations, research insights and expert panel discussions, the event reinforced a clear message: successful collaboration requires intentional leadership, the right behaviours, strong governance and a shared commitment to creating lasting value.

Click here to learn more about the day's discussions and key insights

ICW welcomed Corporate Members, industry leaders, government representatives and collaboration professionals to its Collaborative Working Reception 2026 at the House of Lords on 26 June, hosted by ICW Chairman Lord John Hannett OBE.

The event celebrated the impact of collaborative working across sectors and featured the launch of The Partner 2026, ICW's flagship annual publication. Guests also heard keynote presentations from Adrian Collins of BAM UK & Ireland on collaboration in delivering critical energy infrastructure, and Matt Page of BSI, who outlined new initiatives to improve access to workplace standards and training.

The reception also recognised outstanding individuals and organisations for their contribution to collaborative practice. Valerie Elliott (Mitie) was named Collaborative Champion 2026, Dr Ghaith Al-Werikat (National Highways) received the Collaborator of the Year Award, Catherine Buckley (Balfour Beatty) was awarded an ICW Fellowship, and the Lower Thames Crossing tunnelling team (Murphy and Bouygues Construction) achieved ISO 44001 certification.

ICW extends its thanks to BAM, our Ambassador Member, for sponsoring the event and to all our members, partners and guests who continue to champion collaborative working and its positive impact on organisations, their people, communities and society.

Click here for more details and photos

The Institute for Collaborative Working (ICW) is delighted to announce that Adrian Collins, Director of Energy Networks Scotland at BAM UK & Ireland, will be the keynote speaker at the ICW Collaborative Working Reception taking place on 26 June 2026 at the House of Lords.

This exclusive, invitation-only event, supported by BAM UK & Ireland, will bring together ICW Executive Network members alongside senior leaders from industry, government and partner organisations to celebrate the value and impact of collaborative working across sectors.

Adrian's journey with BAM has seen him work in some of Scotland's most remote locations, helping deliver transformational energy projects that will shape the nation's future. By working closely with partners and local communities, he has helped drive projects that leave a meaningful and lasting legacy.

As an ICW Foundation organisation and Ambassador member, BAM continues to champion collaboration across industries as the key to delivering projects earlier, safer, cleaner and better for all. The organisation plays an active role in promoting collaborative working, innovation and sustainable delivery across the built environment.

Speaking ahead of the event, Adrian Collins said:

"It's a pleasure and privilege to be speaking this year. Collaboration is a journey, not a destination – and one we should all be on together. Being an Ambassador member is about more than simply talking about collaboration. It's about showing real examples of how, by working together, we can genuinely transform the way we work."

The ICW Collaborative Working Reception at the House of Lords provides an opportunity for senior leaders from industry, government and partner organisations to connect, share insights and explore how collaborative working can continue to drive positive outcomes across sectors and communities.

ICW looks forward to welcoming Executive Network members, guests and collaboration champions for an afternoon of high-level networking, discussion and celebration.

On April 30th, ICW's CEO Frank Lee visited the TransPennine Route Upgrade as a guest of ICW's Ambassador member BAM, working with Network Rail as the client.

This is in many ways a quiet good-news story that doesn't always get the attention it deserves. It is a major UK infrastructure programme, being delivered through a genuinely collaborative approach, and it was impressive to see how effectively it is being delivered, on time and on budget. The transformation underway will strengthen connectivity between Manchester and Leeds, support communities, and help deliver faster, cleaner journeys for the future.

Frank said: "One of the things I value most as CEO is getting out and spending time with our members, listening to their views and making sure our plans stay true to the purpose and values of the Institute."

The Institute for Collaborative Working (ICW) is delighted to congratulate and welcome its newest Certified Collaborative Leaders following the successful completion of the ICW Collaborative Leaders 4-Day Course at the University of Warwick.

The new Members of the Institute for Collaborative Working (MICW) are:

Helen Cooper
Emma Hardcastle
Eleanor Preece
James Brener

The programme was expertly delivered by tutor Leigh Lawry, with assessment support from Dr Paul Connor.

The Certified Collaborative Leader programme equips professionals with the skills and knowledge needed to drive effective collaboration, while providing practical, in-depth expertise in collaborative business relationship management. Successful candidates are automatically enrolled as members of the Institute and are entitled to use the post-nominal MICW.

This year's smaller cohort also allowed for a more personalised and learner-focused experience, encouraging deeper collaboration and engagement throughout the course.

Find out more about the ICW Collaborative Leaders programme

The House of Lords provided the setting for a high-level business luncheon hosted by the Institute for Collaborative Working (ICW) on 22 April, bringing together leaders from across the UK public sector and its supply chain.

Welcomed by Lord John Hannett of Everton, this invitation-only event created a valuable forum for public sector collaboration, enabling open dialogue, knowledge sharing, and relationship-building among professionals committed to improving public service delivery. ICW also welcomed Ambassador members, including representatives from BSI, highlighting the growing global importance of collaboration standards.

Collaboration as a Strategic Imperative

In his address, Frank Lee, Chief Executive Officer of ICW, reinforced a clear message: collaboration is no longer optional; it is foundational to effective public service delivery.

As organisations respond to increasingly complex and interconnected challenges, including national security, economic growth, infrastructure delivery, the transition to net zero, and the delivery of social value, it is clear that these issues cannot be addressed in isolation. Effective collaboration across sectors, organisations, and geographies is critical to achieving sustainable outcomes.

A System-Wide Approach to Collaborative Working

Effective collaborative working in the public sector must operate across four key levels:

• Central government collaboration: aligning departments around shared outcomes to improve accountability, reduce duplication and deliver better value for money
• Public sector partnerships: strengthening links between government and arm's length bodies to connect policy with delivery capability
• Devolved and local collaboration: enabling national priorities and local insight to work together through shared data and aligned governance
• Public-private collaboration: moving beyond transactional procurement towards long-term partnerships with the government supply chain

This system-wide approach enables faster decision-making, improved programme delivery and more resilient public services.

Turning Strategy into Action: The ICW Collaboration Playbook

A key highlight of the event was the ICW Collaboration Playbook, a practical framework designed to embed collaborative working practices across organisations.

Developed with input from leaders across government, local authorities, arm's length bodies and industry, the Playbook provides guidance on:

• Leadership behaviours that enable collaboration
• Governance and decision-making frameworks
• Commercial models aligned to outcomes
• Data sharing, transparency and trust

The Playbook supports organisations in moving from intent to scalable, repeatable collaboration, improving outcomes across complex delivery environments.

The Tangible Benefits of Collaborative Working

Discussions reinforced the clear benefits of public sector collaboration, including:

• Improved value for money through shared resources and reduced duplication
• Faster and more aligned infrastructure and programme delivery
• Enhanced resilience through shared capability and risk management
• Stronger trust between government, partners and citizens

However, successful collaboration requires more than intent. It depends on leadership, governance, transparency and cultural change, shifting from organisational silos to shared outcomes.

Building a Collaborative Future for Public Services

The discussion at the House of Lords reinforced a critical point: collaboration is a strategic capability for government and its partners. As the UK public sector continues to navigate complexity and change, embedding collaborative working practices will be essential to delivering long-term value, resilience, and impact.

ICW extends its thanks to all attendees and looks forward to continuing to support organisations in advancing public sector collaboration.

ICW, in partnership with Babcock International Group, hosted an Executive Knowledge Exchange at Babcock's London headquarters on 19 March 2026.

The event brought together senior leaders from a number of sectors, including defence, construction, aviation, nuclear, and artificial intelligence, creating a dynamic forum focused on advancing collaboration as a strategic capability. Discussions explored cross-sector partnerships, SME engagement, and practical approaches to embedding collaborative working across organisations.

Simon Reid, Managing Director at Babcock International Group, chaired the session, highlighting that effective collaboration is no longer optional - it is essential for organisations working successfully with customers, suppliers, and SMEs. Frank Lee, ICW CEO, welcomed attendees and reinforced the value of cross-company and cross-sector knowledge sharing, noting how these exchanges strengthen both individual organisations and the wider collaborative ecosystem.

The session featured contributions from leaders across ICW's Executive Network, offering real-world insights and diverse perspectives on driving cross-sector collaboration. Key highlights included:

Simon Reid (Babcock International Group) - Simon shared the intent behind Babcock's SME Charter, illustrating how it fosters stronger collaboration with smaller suppliers and partners. The charter is openly available for use and adoption by other organisations via the Babcock website.

Denis Leonard (Graham Group) - Denis highlighted Graham's 'Collaborative Leading Edge' recognition, explaining how it supports the company's ambition to embed collaborative working practices at all levels.

Gary Shuttleworth and Emma Bevilacqua (Morgan Sindall) - They explored how Morgan Sindall is integrating ISO 44001 principles across its business, demonstrating both the challenges and successes of embedding collaboration strategically across projects and teams.

Anuj Puri (UST) - Anuj provided a forward-looking perspective on AI in collaboration, exploring how emerging technologies can enhance connectivity, decision-making, and cross-organisational working.

Q&A and Open Executive Discussion - Attendees engaged in a lively, interactive discussion, exchanging insights, debating challenges, and identifying practical ways to bring collaborative ideas back into their organisations.

The event reinforced ICW's commitment to championing cross-sector learning and collaborative practice, connecting leaders, and promoting actionable insights for improved organisational performance. ICW will continue to host Executive Exchange sessions in the future. Members are invited to get involved-whether to host, speak, or participate - and help shape the ongoing dialogue on collaboration.

The Institute for Collaborative Working (ICW) is pleased to announce that BAM, our long-standing Ambassador Member, will once again be the proud sponsor of our Annual Collaborative Working Reception at the House of Lords, taking place on 26 June 2026.

This flagship event brings together ICW Executive Network members, industry leaders, and partners from across sectors to celebrate the value and impact of collaborative working.

Frank Lee, CEO of ICW, said: "We are delighted that BAM - an organisation whose values closely align with those of ICW and which actively champions collaboration and the positive impact it can deliver across the infrastructure sector - is once again supporting our Executive Network reception. Collaboration is most powerful when diverse perspectives are brought into leadership and decision-making. This year, we are placing a special focus on recognising the vital role that female collaborative leaders and practitioners play in strengthening partnerships, shaping inclusive cultures, and delivering lasting impact across projects, organisations and sectors."

Gillian Peters, Preconstruction Director (Infrastructure) at BAM UK & Ireland, who represents BAM on the ICW's Ambassador Members Board, will attend the reception, alongside colleagues and partners committed to advancing collaborative working across the sector.

This exclusive, invitation-only reception at the House of Lords provides a unique opportunity for senior leaders to network at the highest level, celebrate excellence in collaborative working, and explore the future of collaboration.

ICW looks forward to welcoming BAM, ICW Executive Network members and their guests, including leaders from sectors where collaboration makes a real difference, to an event celebrating the power and value of working together.

The ICW March Leaders Course held last week at Warwick University was truly an international affair, with delegates coming from Canada, Australia, Wales, and England to do the course.

The 7 Delegates are seen here with the course tutor Leigh Lawry and the Exam invigilator Dr Paul Connor.

L to R: Tom Bastians (Australia), Brianne Fox (Canada), Paul Connor , Russel Hunter (Canada), Marla Gerein (Canada), Dafydd Guto Carrod (Wales), Leigh Lawry, Richard Fraser-Williams (Wales), and Mike Raynor (England).

The successful candidates will automatically be enrolled into the institute and have the use of the post nominal MICW after their name.

The Institute for Collaborative Working (ICW) recently brought together a group of outstanding female collaborative leaders for a business lunch at the House of Lords. The event was hosted by ICW Chairman Lord John Hannett of Everton, along with ICW CEO Frank Lee.

The lunch formed part of ICW's ongoing commitment to collaborative leadership, inclusive partnerships and cross-sector engagement. Bringing together senior women from across sectors and our executive network, the session provided a valuable opportunity for open dialogue, insight sharing and the exchange of perspectives on strengthening collaboration and delivering lasting value.

Supporting Collaborative Leadership and Inclusive Participation

ICW has long championed diverse perspectives and inclusive collaboration as essential elements of successful partnership working. The lunch provided an opportunity to explore how ICW can continue strengthening its collaborative and inclusive culture, ensuring that talented professionals from a wide range of backgrounds feel welcome and represented within our collaborative community.

Key themes included:

• Encouraging member organisations to put forward talented female leaders to participate in ICW events, programmes and leadership initiatives.
• Strengthening the participation of women in collaborative leadership roles across sectors.
• Exploring opportunities to form an ongoing informal advisory group that ICW can consult as it continues to develop initiatives that support inclusive collaboration.
• The Value of Diverse Perspectives in Collaboration

A central theme of the discussion was the importance of collaborative leadership that draws on a broad range of experiences and viewpoints. Participants highlighted how organisations that actively engage diverse perspectives are better positioned to foster innovation, improve decision-making and deliver stronger outcomes across complex collaborations.

ICW is grateful for the leadership, candour and expertise shared during the lunch. These perspectives will help inform the continued development of ICW's inclusive and impactful collaborative community.

Building on Strong Foundations

The discussion also reinforced the strength of the existing ICW network and the organisation's ongoing commitment to creating opportunities for collaboration, leadership development and knowledge sharing.

ICW looks forward to continuing these discussions with its members and partners, building on strong foundations to support inclusive collaboration and strengthen partnerships across sectors.