Q3 2026 Networking is a crucial aspect of any career, but especially so in the world of design, build, and construction. For these professionals, who you know is just as important as what you build. PiGs AKA People in Glazing Society has championed this ethos for over two decades, bringing together the people of the glazing sector in a relaxed environment to socialise and do business. As the organisation is named in the Design & Build Awards 2026, we spoke with Director Sarah Ball and Editor George Lewis for more. The story of PiGs began in 2004, when Dave Broxton and Paul Godwin from Glassex aimed to foster connections between the press and businesses within the glazing industry. This mission was taken over in 2014 by Sarah Ball, who had been a member of the network since its inception. Sarah’s leadership has been instrumental in growing PiGs to its current status, with a focus on continuing the vision of the group as an open-to-everyone networking event. Today, PiGs stands as the biggest and longest-running network in the glazing industry. Open to all and free to attend, its events have become a significant part of the industry’s networking and social calendar. Everyone in the glazing industry is welcome to attend, attracting a wide range of system companies, fabricators, installers, component manufacturers, distributors, and consultants. This year alone, PiGs welcomed more than 350 people to its Birmingham event, over 100 to its brand-new Belfast event, and nearly 190 to Bristol, with more than 150 expected in Newcastle and around 300 in Manchester. While other events offer networking as part of their wider offering, no other organisation has networking at its core like PiGs. The people-first networking organisation hosts its events in bars to ensure attendees feel relaxed from the moment they arrive, a key principle that has been upheld since the very beginning of PiGs. With events held at venues across the country, industry members can attend as often as they wish, regardless of their location. “By ensuring that the surroundings are relaxed, we focus on facilitating the building of strong and lasting relationships that often turn into friendships,” Sarah told us. “We want relationships to be built authentically, not just because of job titles. So, no one has a name badge; instead, conversations are started just by being in the same room. It could be a general chat or, as has happened on many occasions, strong partnerships and deals have started at our events.” Now looking to the future, PiGs has its sights set on expansion and innovation. The organisation aims to attract even more professionals to its network and is preparing to explore different locations across the UK to find additional hubs to host successful events. Of PiGs’s future plans, George shared, “Our goal is to carry on promoting the glazing industry through our events by increasing numbers, both in the people attending and the companies supporting our events.” To keep these groundbreaking events entirely free for the glazing industry, PiGs relies on sponsorship funding from companies in the supply chain. Each sponsor contributes £300 per event – whether a multinational corporation or a small business – which is crucial for PiGs’s mission to maintain fairness and create great experiences for all attendees. At present, the annual sponsors of PiGs’s 2026 events include more than 50 companies from across the whole supply chain including longstanding supporters APS Group, Emplas, Forel, GGF, RegaLead and Selecta Systems. There are also event sponsors for each of PiGs' five 2026 events. Equally important to PiGs is giving back. The organisation is heavily involved in charity work, undertaking a number of charity challenges throughout the year. In 2024, a team of people within the glazing industry climbed Kilimanjaro and raised almost £100,000 and, what’s more, a team is currently preparing to tackle the Inca Trail. This year, PiGs has announced Harry’s Pals as its Charity of the Year, a charity providing emotional support to parents of severely ill and disabled children. Over the last 22 years, PiGs has grown to become the leading name in networking for the glazing industry. The organisation has propelled itself to stand at the very forefront of the industry, leveraging its powerful position to help others – both through networking events and charitable endeavours. PiGs has not only made a significant impact on countless individuals and businesses across the glazing industry, but also numerous underserved communities and people in need. For its exceptional contributions to its field, PiGs AKA People in Glazing Society has been named the UK’s Leading Glazing Industry Professional Network 2026. Contact: George Lewis & Sarah Ball Company: PiGs AKA People in Glazing Society Web Address: www.peopleinglazing.co.uk The Beating Heart of the Glazing Industry Mar26035
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