Digital Construction Exports Group (DCEG)
The UK offer
The UK is renowned for its leadership in digital technology and innovation across its export offer: from fintech to the creative industries, from smart cities to cybersecurity the UK leads the way.
The UK’s export offer of construction professional services for delivering the world’s infrastructure is no different: digital innovation is core to the UK’s infrastructure and construction brand. This leadership is underpinned by its strong research institutions, government support, a thriving startup ecosystem and a skilled workforce.
Working with government to promote the UK offer
The Digital Construction Exports Group (DCEG) was formed to promote the UK’s excellence in digital construction to maximise the UK’s export opportunity, estimated to be worth £11.5bn, to the infrastructure sector by leveraging its digital leadership. Supported by the Department for Business and Trade, DCEG is a UK construction industry group formed by leading exporters and hosted at the Connected Places Catapult.
Increased awareness of and demand for, the UK’s digital offer internationally provides an opportunity for this unrivalled capability to support governments and public clients in the introduction of BIM and digital construction techniques.
Maximising the UK’s digital construction export opportunity
DCEG is establishing a joined-up approach across the UK’s export capability, bringing together construction services providers and export enabling actors across industry and Government to better connect services to international market demand. This is done by DCEG acting as a:
Convener
Acting as a bridge across the digital construction exports ecosystem, including but not limited to UK suppliers, Government and sector enablers to maximise the UK’s competitive advantage in the global construction market.
Opportunity connector
Raising awareness and providing intelligence on existing and emerging markets, flagging opportunities for the UK’s digital construction offer by connecting with foreign demand stakeholders and export enablers in key markets.
Knowledge provider
Inform suppliers and export enablers by developing knowledge products, tools, methodologies to support growth of exports.
Resources
Empower UK SMEs in Digital Construction Exports
Read our report about driving innovation and global competitiveness through strategic collaboration and support.
“Our partnership with the Digital Construction Exports Group has been highly advantageous. The connections we have forged, the knowledge we have acquired, and the opportunities we have identified have all been invaluable. We look forward to continuing this productive relationship and exploring new horizons together.”Juan Rossi, Mott Macdonald
Our pitch
“An integrated Team UK will work alongside and guide you to implementing the world-leading digital construction methodology to deliver greater value from capital investment, improving collaboration for faster and more consistent delivery and enhanced social and environmental outcomes.”
Contact
Register via the form below to stay up to date.
If you have any questions, please contact DCEG@cp.catapult.org.uk
Partners
Digital Construction International Programme (DCIP)
The Digital Construction International Programme (DCIP) advances global infrastructure through the adoption of digital construction techniques such as Building Information Modelling (BIM) aligned with international standards.
The programme helps governments and infrastructure owners respond effectively to local and global challenges including rebuilding critical infrastructure, addressing climate resilience, supporting the drive towards net zero and closing the infrastructure gap. BIM helps secure better value for public money enabling infrastructure investment to go further.
DCIP also connects the UK export ecosystem to overseas market opportunities and supports international collaboration, innovation, and trade growth.
Objectives
Grow international public sector demand for digital construction methodologies
Increase public sector capacity for introducing, procuring, and using digital construction, aligned with international standards
Connecting UK agencies, bodies, and exporters of digital construction-related solutions to opportunities overseas
45+ partner countries
across four geographic regions
2200+ public officials trained
27 SMEs, 11 UK consultancies, 5 industry bodies
engaged in DCEG events in 2025
Benefits
Economic outcomes
Digital construction methodologies, such as BIM, have resulted in[1]:
- A reduction in unbudgeted change by up to 40%.
- Contract value savings of up to 10% through improved construction coordination;
- A 7% reduction in overall project delivery time.
In addition, a UK study found that information management for infrastructure owners can secure between £6.90 and £7.40 in direct cost savings for every £1 invested[2]: a seven-fold return on investment.
Environmental outcomes
Digital construction is a key enabler to reaching net-zero targets, e.g., for methods to calculate embodied carbon, the energy efficiency of assets and whole-life carbon footprints.
Social outcomes
An important social outcome of digital construction is its power to build digital skills and knowledge, creating jobs and reskilling workers to participate in the digital economy.
Building Information Modelling (BIM)
At the heart of digital construction is the adoption of Building Information Modelling (BIM) aligned with international standards. BIM is information management for the construction and operation of the built environment.
It is a technique to enable better decision-making for the delivery and operation of the world’s infrastructure. As a coordinated set of processes, supported by technology and standardization, BIM adds value through the creation, management, use and sharing of digital information about an asset throughout its whole lifecycle.
“The Catapult has helped us to connect Cape Town’s BIM programme to our infrastructure development plans, supporting our goal to become a more resilient city, and a leader in digital transformation in South Africa and across the African continent.”Rob Laubscher, Head of Engineering Innovation Unit, City of Cape Town
What we offer
Policy and strategy guidance for local outcomes realisation
Advisory and guidance for BIM implementation and compliance
Knowledge transfer and provision of knowledge products
Capability and capacity development of the public and private sector
Digital Construction Exports Group (DCEG)
The Digital Construction Exports Group (DCEG) works with UK enterprises and SMEs interested in exporting to international markets. For more information about how DCIP connects exporters of digital construction-related solutions to opportunities overseas, visit our Digital Construction Exports Group.
Resources
Global BIM Network’s knowledge base
Explore and contribute to the Global BIM Network’s knowledge base, hosting over 560 resources from over 70 countries
Submit your resource to the knowledge base, here.
Construction Digital Transformation Playbook
Access the Public sector Construction Digital Transformation Playbook for information, ideas and inspiration on each step of your digital transformation journey Playbook – Global BIM Network
Contact
For more information about working with the DCIP on your country’s digital transformation journey, please contact: dcip@cp.catapult.org.uk
[1] “Report: “Building Information Modeling (BIM): Benefits, Risks and Challenges”, Stanford CIFE
[2] “Report: The Value of Information Management in the construction and infrastructure sector”, KPMG; Atkins
