Fourth nima virtual conference reiterates key Information Management Initiative themes

The nima Virtual Conference 2025 on Thursday 6 November attracted some 340 unique visitors to its new, immersive and avatar-driven event platform. Keynotes, expert panels and networking sessions all implicitly marked the first anniversary of the launch of the nima-led Information Management Initiative (IMI).

Why and how to change

nima chair Anne Kemp says nima’s fourth virtual conference addressed both the need to change (why) and how the built and natural environment sector should change:

“We heard from David Hancock, Construction Director and Infrastructure Practice Lead at NISTA, the recently-formed National Infrastructure and Services Transformation Authority. He described how NISTA was continuing the work of the former National Infrastructure Commission and the Infrastructure and Projects Authority, and how information management is a key pillar in helping deliver the UK’s national infrastructure strategy, addressing perennial challenges such as cost and schedule overruns and low construction productivity.

“Concluding the day, former Crossrail digital chief Malcolm Taylor urged everyone to back the IMI and nima as it sought to bring about a much-needed transformation of the sector. While built and managed environment professionals face ever greater complexity, he said they also had unprecedented opportunities to collaborate through better information management practices to fulfill the ambitions of the IMI.

“And, in between these two keynotes, consistent IMI-related themes running across the conference sessions included:

Conference sessions were recorded for sharing with the approximately 600 -pre-registered users.
Updates (10, 14 November 2025) – see also Construction Management‘s conference report: NISTA: ‘infrastructure needs to get better at digital’. and Information management: the experts’ reasons for change in DCplus.
Update (12 December 2025) – Watch David Hancock’s presentation here. It is part of a full 2025 conference playlist on the @WeAreNima YouTube channel.

Event partners

Anne thanked all the individuals and organisations who helped to deliver the event:

“The success of the event was a testament to the energy, insight and knowledge of our speakers – whether in the main stage sessions or, as with our buildingSMART UK & Ireland chapter, in the networking spaces – as well as the audience participation through the online discussion tools. The event also would not have been possible without the generous support of our event sponsors – ALEC, AtkinsRealis, Bentley Systems, Bluebeam, Egnyte, Global e-Training, GS1 UK, Man+Machine and Morta. Thanks also to the Construction Leadership Council, DCplus, Digital Construction Week, Build in Digital, and Women in BIM for their support.”

Anne also singled out one conference contributor for a special accolade. Nottingham University professor Sarah Davidson, a volunteer who has contributed extensively to nima since it was originally founded as the UK BIM Alliance in 2016, was announced as the latest winner of the nima Outstanding Contribution Award.

Strategy development

Building on the conference themes, nima is developing its strategy for the next 5-10 years. It will be working with industry to embed IMI principles into organisational thinking so that businesses and projects can mandate and deliver information management practices that are relevant to their specific needs and their target outcomes. Anne says:

“The IMI is not a ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach. It is about encouraging individuals and organisations to understand how IM relates to their daily work and how they will need to adapt to meet ever more stringent demands for timely, cost-effective, safer and more sustainable delivery and operation of built and managed assets.

“We must also make nima more financially and intellectually sustainable. We have instigated a membership programme to offer a ‘home’ for information managers while looking at other opportunities to expand nima’s revenue streams. And we will continue to work with our members, patrons, sponsors and our amazing volunteer community to ensure our strategy is tailored to the medium- and long-term needs of the sector.”

IMI and nima engagement

• nima welcomes people wishing to become nima members; nima also has a bulk membership scheme for organisations wanting to fund membership for multiple individuals – see nima membership.
• Organisations can register their backing for the Information Management Initiative as IMI signatories, as IMI supporters (donating resource), or as IMI sponsors (helping fund the IMI).
• nima also welcomes organisations wishing to become nima patrons.