Colin Evison appointed BAM Nuttall’s first head of innovation

Previously engineering manager, he will lead a team looking to bring in and develop the best new technology, methods and ideas from a wide range of sectors, companies and institutions such as manufacturing, small start-ups and universities.

‘As Head of Innovation I will be formalising and driving forward our approach to innovation’, he says. ‘My role will be both internally and externally focused. We have ten operating companies and this is an ideal opportunity to explore ideas that work across the group and then share them. I won’t, however, limit us to looking internally. Undoubtedly there have been great ideas within BAM Nuttall but I want to look globally at how other sectors and companies can bring their ideas to bear on our industry. The manufacturing industry is an obvious one but we should also be working with technology start-ups and academics. Materials technology, for example I see as a key area – around both manufacturing and fabrication. In truth, we’ve used many of the same materials for hundreds of year but can they be improved on? We must also look at hardware and software and ensure we are harnessing data correctly.’

With over 25 years of design and construction experience, Colin Evison has worked on a number of major projects including Victoria Station Upgrade and and Bhairab Bridge in Bangladesh.

A Fellow of the Institution of Civil Engineers and member of the British Tunnelling Society, Colin is a past chairman of the Railway Civil Engineers’ Association.