TechFest Awards 2020

09:10

Keynote: Transformative disruptors to civil engineering

Delving into how technology is disrupting large infrastructure projects, from planning to asset management, and discussing how it is transforming businesses and the sites of the future.

Matthew Griffin, CEO, 311 Institute

09:35

09:45

A new era: how can we procure for infrastructure that doesn’t exist?

​New demands of a modern-day society require clients to update their procurement strategies in order to integrate a flexible approach to turning technological innovations into mainstream asset delivery before it becomes obsolete. How can clients bridge the gap between needing to introduce new ways of working and traditional methods? What scope is there to introduce unique technology with no competitors in the current procurement strategy? How can the supply chain bring their solutions to market and do we need to review standards and regulations across the industry?

James Crompton, strategic project director, Anglian Water
Jonathan Kerbey, digital director, Heathrow
Simon Adams, head of commercial and controls, Crossrail 2
Andy Mitchel, CEO, Tideway 

11:00

Project Case Study: Integrating the use of big data on HS2 to make decisions with real time information

Exploring how data is the key to increasing productivity and health and safety on site. Examine how to expose real value from data and share across the delivery of a major project to manage operations, reduce cost and take a proactive approach to issues to drive the overall efficiency. 

David Lowery, executive director, EKFB
Gurpreet Sohal, head of technical development, EKFB 

Project Case Study: Unearthing the innovation adopters of the water sector

Discover lessons learnt from the water sector’s early adoption of technology. Learn how they procure, test, and embrace new ideas and technology and integrate them into their infrastructure.

Project Case Study: Building a digital city for Helsinki

Revealing the latest update in the creation of a digital twin of the citywide infrastructure. Understand best practice and key lessons learned in establishing a 3D representation of Helsinki and the benefits of sharing data to promote smart city development. 

Jarmo Suomisto, project manager, Helsinki 3D+

12:15

Question and answer panel

13:15 – 13:40

Live Demonstrations – Join innovative suppliers over lunch to hear short talks explaining how their solutions could impact your business. 

13:40

Retrofitting technology and innovation into existing infrastructure

Comparing processes for retrofitting technology and their ways of overcoming this mammoth task. Revealing what is currently being done to take advantage of new technology and how it will be retrofitted to existing infrastructure and aging assets. Explaining the decision-making process for technologies and the importance of data to effective asset management and renewal. 

Jim Barlow, deputy director asset performance and engineering, Environment Agency  

14:10

Embracing technology to improve business resilience

With an abundance of technology, what do organisations need to do to upskill and prepare their workforce and improve business resilience? How can we create a cultural change towards and flexible approach to working? What skills and competencies are needed for a resilient future proofed workforce and how do we change the mindset of the industry? 

Lara Potter, director, workforce for the future, Arcadis 

14:35

Enhancing the use of data and technology to decarbonise infrastructure

With a target to hit net zero by 2050, there is a need to explore all avenues of the role data can play from metrics and reporting to new low carbon materials. How can we use the wealth of data to create low carbon designs, improve project delivery and the whole life management in pursuit of enhanced outcomes? 

Chris Hayes, sustainability operations director, Skanska
Richard Shennan, digital business development director, Mott MacDonald 

15:30

The fourth industrial revolution and how its transforming construction and engineering 

Understand the roadmap and strategy in place to help the industry navigate through the complex digital world improve efficiency and productivity on infrastructure projects. Why is technology so important to the sector? How can the sector learn to embrace disruptive technologies such as AI, robotics, IoT, VR? What incentive or policy can the industry expect? 

Huda As’ad, head of performance, IPA

16:00

TechFest Accelerator Award Live Judging

Returning for the third consecutive year, New Civil Engineer invites the small, innovative disrupters to the industry to pitch their exciting solutions live to the TechFest audience. Pitches will be followed by a Q&A session with the Accelerator judges. The winning pitch will be announced at the TechFest Award ceremony.