Beyond Brunel - from the South West Infrastructure Partnership (SWIP)

Beyond Brunel returns for Series 4 with new co-presenters, Claire Gibson and Katy Toms. In Episode 1, they welcome Pippa Gibbs Joubert, Associate Director at Copper Consultancy, to share her insights on the crucial role of public attitudes in shaping regional infrastructure, particularly in the context of the South West. This podcast explores the importance of public consensus in infrastructure pr...

In this episode of Beyond Brunel, presenter Christopher Ackland is joined by Steve Maslin, Associate, Technical Authority for Inclusive Design, AtkinsRéalis, and Pam Turton, Head of Transport Strategy, Sustainable Communities, Bath & North East Somerset Council, to gain a better understanding of inclusive design and why it should be a fundamental necessity in infrastructure planning. Topics di...

According to the World Economic Forum, “Hydrogen is the simplest and most abundant element in the universe… And, if generated using renewables, it can be a clean alternative to burning fossil fuels”, so why have we been reluctant to develop and use it as a sustainable energy alternative? In this episode of Beyond Brunel, presenter Christopher Ackland is joined by David Eccles, Director of Hydrogen...

What is the circular economy and how is the South West approaching circularity in order to make strides towards sustainability? In this episode of Beyond Brunel, Christopher Ackland is joined by Hannah Lawrie, Global Practice Director at Ricardo, and Tim Danson, Director of Sustainability and Energy at Pick Everard, to explore the concept of circularity and what it will take to transition from a l...

The South West is home to two UNESCO World Heritage Sites, a UNESCO Geopark, and the first National Marine Park, among many other natural assets, but how do we recognise these assets as critical infrastructure that support the economy, public health, and climate resilience? In this episode of Beyond Brunel, Chris Ackland is joined by Julian Gray, Director of the South West Coast Path Association,...

Electricity demand could quadruple by 2050 to support decarbonization and the South West faces significant challenges – and opportunities - in readying its electricity network for the future. In this episode of Beyond Brunel, host Christopher Ackland, coastal engineer at Moffatt & Nichol and senior vice chair of ICE South West, is joined by Emily Taylor, Strategic Engagement Officer at Nationa...

The Beyond Brunel podcast is back for its third season, and in Episode 1 we ask how does infrastructure directly impact economic growth, particularly in a region like the South West? Civil Engineer & Senior Vice Chair of ICE South West, Christopher Ackland, returns as podcast host and is joined by Jan Ward, Chair of Plymouth and South Devon Freeport, and Dan Pritchard, Founder of Tech South We...

In S2 Episode 6 of the Beyond Brunel podcast, presenter Chris Ackland poses this challenging question to Peter Radford, Associate Director at Turner & Townsend Infrastructure, and Alicia de Haldevang, Sustainability and Inequalities Consultant at Stantec.  Topics they discuss include the role of infrastructure in addressing inequalities, how to measure the impact of infrastructure on areas suc...

The South West has 620 miles of motorway and strategic A-roads as well as one of the largest networks in the UK of local roads, many of which are vital to small, rural communities. In this podcast, Christopher Ackland is joined by Richard Stevens, Managing Director, Plymouth CityBus (Go South West), and Jason Humm, Director of Transport and Highways, Gloucestershire County Council, to discuss the...

In this podcast, Christopher Ackland is joined by Martin Rule, Lead Adviser, Nature Based Solutions, Environment Agency and Ed Whitelaw, Director of Nature & Neighbourhoods at Real Ideas Organisation to discuss the concept of nature-based solutions and how infrastructure can have a positive impact on nature in the South West. They explore the idea of working with nature rather than against it...

Christopher Ackland is joined by Katie Farrell, Assistant Planner, KierBAM JV, based at Devonport Dockyard in Plymouth and Lou Dawson-Thomas, Head of Apprenticeship Services, AccXel Construction School in Gloucestershire, to discuss how we can engage with young people in the South West and encourage them to choose careers in infrastructure industries. He also asks young engineers and apprentices w...

Are South West ports ready for floating offshore wind? That’s the important question posed in Season 2 Episode 2 of the Beyond Brunel podcast. Captain Richard Allan, Chief Executive and Harbour Master, Port of Plymouth and member of the South West Regional Ports Association, and Matt Hodson, Chief Operations Officer, Celtic Sea Power (based in Cornwall) join Chris Ackland to discuss the readiness...

Episode 1 of Season 2 features Matt Wheeldon, Director of Infrastructure Development, Wessex Water, and Dave Turner, Coastal Engineer, Moffat & Nicholl, who discuss how the South West can deal with extreme weather outcomes like drought and flooding, avoid environmental issues caused by storm overflows and create more sustainable, nature-based solutions such as rain gardens and green streets. T...

What challenges and opportunities face the energy sector in the South West as it works towards net zero carbon by 2050? In this episode of Beyond Brunel, Christopher Ackland tackles these tough questions with the assistance of Becky Fowell, Energy Market Analyst at Regen, Linda Irwin, Project Manager at Southwest Net Zero Hub and SWIP Energy Sector advisor, and Peter Kydd, Strategic Advisor to WSP...

The podcast is dedicated to exploring the future of infrastructure in the South West with a view to achieving net zero by 2050. This episode delves into the infrastructure needs and implementation required to achieve these ambitious targets. Presenter Chris Ackland is joined by industry experts from across the region: David Carter, Deputy Director of Economic and Community Infrastructure and Commi...

How can the South West achieve its goal of reaching net zero by 2050? What role does sustainable infrastructure play? And what are nature-based solutions? All these questions and more are answered in the third episode of the Beyond Brunel podcast, titled “Climate Change & Net Zero”. In this episode, presenter Chris Ackland is joined by Megan Pearce, Climate Change Consultant at the Met Office,...

In Episode 2, our panel of experts discuss digital and data infrastructure across the South West and how they can be used to improve the region's connectivity and transition to a net zero future. Presented by civil engineer, Christopher Ackland, and featuring Kate Doodson, Joint Chief Executive and Digital Transformation Consultant at Cosmic UK, Lucy Knight, Data Lead at The Data Place, Katharine...

In Episode 1 of Beyond Brunel, our panel of infrastructure leaders and industry experts from across the South West discuss innovation and productivity and how they can shape the region for the better. They examine what needs to change and how new innovations and ways of thinking can help achieve our 2050 net zero target.  Presented by civil engineer, Christopher Ackland, the first episode features...