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BCF Annual Conference: A focus on AI, digitalisation and navigating uncertainty
The British Coatings Federation (BCF) hosted its 2025 Annual Conference as a thought-provoking and dynamic event, uniting key players from across the UK coatings sector. Despite representing a robust market worth around EUR 4.7 billion, the industry continues to grapple with ongoing volatility — now a permanent backdrop, as BCF Chair Sharon Hart pointed out in her opening remarks.
This theme was further explored by keynote speaker Dr Daniel Thorniley, who opened the conference with a compelling call to action. Declaring that “uncertainty is killing the business”, he urged the sector to move beyond hope and adopt more strategic responses to the mounting pressures of rising regulation, escalating costs, and stalled investment. Thorniley also ventured a bold forecast, suggesting the UK will “inevitably” rejoin the EU within the next 10 to 15 years. While highlighting that manufacturing and chemicals are not currently among the global “winning sectors”, he encouraged the audience to resist excessive pessimism, stating, “The worst is behind us.”
Throughout the event, digital transformation emerged as a recurring theme. A panel discussion on artificial intelligence and data-driven technologies sparked active participation from the audience — and highlighted the industry’s mixed levels of confidence with AI. A live Slido poll revealed that 48% of attendees had “played around with it”, for example using ChatGPT to plan a holiday or write a speech. Meanwhile, 29% said they understood the principle but didn’t use AI, and 16% reported actively incorporating it into daily tasks. Just 7% said they didn’t know where to begin.
Another Slido poll captured the top concern on delegates’ minds: economic volatility, cited by 42% of respondents as the biggest challenge facing the coatings industry over the next five years. Regulatory changes followed closely with 38%, while talent acquisition and retention was selected by 15%. Only 5% saw being left behind by technology as the top threat — suggesting confidence in the industry’s ability to adapt, despite the mixed levels of personal AI use.
The unveiling of the BCF’s new Careers Strategy was another major highlight. Designed to attract younger generations into the industry, it positions coatings as a purpose-driven sector with real societal impact — far more than just a job.
On the market outlook, BCF Managing Director Tom Bowtell described the UK coatings sector as “flat”, trailing behind national GDP growth. However, stabilising economic indicators and easing inflation are helping to foster cautious optimism.
Despite facing a range of headwinds, the coatings industry reflects on a strong year and looks to the future with renewed purpose. With innovation, sustainability and digitalisation at its core, the 2025 BCF Annual Conference sent a clear message: the industry is not only adapting — it’s evolving with resilience.
