Innovation Champions

The innovators, disruptors and thought leaders transforming the sector.

BE an Innovation Champion

Are you leading change in the built environment?

Join our growing group of more than 60 innovation champions to help us transform the sector.  

Our innovation champions are the disruptors and thought leaders in either industry or research who want to influence change. They work together with us to set our priorities and inform our support programmes. They help us to share knowledge, expertise and inspire the wider sector.

For more information on what's involved read below, and if this sounds like you get in touch.  

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What have our Innovation Champions achieved?

  • Contributed to Scottish Government working groups delivering policy transformation.

  • Developed technology solutions for the construction sector’s post-Covid recovery action plan.

  • Developed a zero carbon sustainable blueprint for commercial retrofit innovation project.

  • Supported MSc students with industry projects and provided educational mentoring.

  • Delivered work as part of the United Nations Development Programme.

  • Shared knowledge and insights with industry.

  • Connected industry with our Innovation Factory, its equipment and technology.

Group of four diverse people engaged in conversation at a conference or seminar, sitting around a white table with notebooks, glasses, and personal items, in a well-lit modern venue.

Meet our Innovation Champions

  • Andrew is a Senior Lecturer in Architecture, University of Strathclyde. He has over 80 high-impact publications in the areas of integrated Architecture-Engineering-Construction Interfaces and ICT supported collaborative technologies. Andrew has undertaken research in the Built Environment Visualization in the UK and Australia and is recognised for his expertise in technology-enhanced learning within the Architecture field. Recently, Andrew was the Co-lead on AFRC-funded research project focusing on the development of on-demand simulation models for managing major project programmes through hybrid application of building information modelling and image processing. He was the Lead Academic Partner on a CSIC-funded project on the development of a remote building verification platform, combining image processing, VR and BIM technologies.   Andrew is a Director & Trustee of the Architects Professional Examination Authority Scotland and the Glasgow Building Preservation Trust. 

  • Dr Rwayda Al-Hamd is a structural engineering lecturer at Abertay University. Her research focuses on fireproof sustainable materials and eco-friendly alternatives, all aimed at reducing the environmental impact of the construction industry. By exploring the potential of these materials, her research seeks to identify efficient solutions for lowering the built environment's carbon footprint and enhancing the overall health and safety of construction buildings. Furthermore, her studies are centred around the utilisation of artificial intelligence (AI) and soft computing techniques within the field of civil engineering.

    Dr Al-Hamd is an Institution of Structural Engineers member, serving on multiple IStructE panels. In recognition of her work in teaching and research, which raised the profile of structural engineering, she was awarded the Scottish Structural Engineering People Awards under Best Structural Engineering Researcher/Lecturer.

  • Having trained to be an architect and practiced for a number of years, Sebastian shifted his focus to robotics in 2013 to facilitate the adoption of digital automation within the construction, design and craft industries. Sebastian specialises in Computational Linguistics and Natural Human-Machine Interfaces.

    In 2014, Sebastian co-founded, HAL Robotics, a London-based software company focusing on novel applications of robotics in manufacturing, construction, and creative industries who, since 2014 we have been helping their clients in the UK, Europe, North America and Australasia innovate and get to market faster, by providing them with robust and highly flexible solutions to program, simulate, control and monitor processes involving industrial machinery.

    As well as covering traditionally automated processes, HAL Robotics specialise in the programming of complex toolpaths, such as those required in additive manufacturing; highly variable jobs allowing production of small batches and unique items; and applications which require adapting robot tasks from various software ecosystems.

  • Pamela Bell is an Innovation Consultant and Board Director to a range of start-ups, Council controlled entities and commercial organisations. Her work is focused on innovative construction, affordable housing and added-value timber.

    She founded PrefabNZ ‘the hub for innovative construction’ in 2010 from her Master of Architecture thesis Kiwi Prefab which was also turned into a book and museum exhibition.

    Pamela has been the lucky recipient of several awards including the Victoria University of Wellington Alumni Award (2019). She is an Adjunct Professor at VUW investigating the relationship between design thinking and business. Most recently she has become intrigued about the interface between design thinking and governance for the boardroom with a series of articles for the Institute of Directors.

  • Frédéric is Reader in Construction Informatics and Infrastructure Programme Management in the School of the Engineering at the University of Edinburgh. He is the Programme Director of the MSc Leading Major Programmes. Research-wise, he is a member of the Centre for Future Infrastructure (CFI) and the Edinburgh Centre for Robotics, and leads the CyberBuild Lab whose research covers two main areas:

    • Processing of reality capture data to enhance asset construction and life cycle management (scan-to-BIM, scan-vs-BIM, digital twin), for application in the new build, renovation and heritage sectors.

    • Development and use of virtual and mixed reality technology, to support collaborative and engaging design, construction and engineering works, as well as training.

    Frédéric’s research has received a few international research and innovation awards, including two CIOB International Research & Innovation awards in 2016, and the IAARC Tucker-Hasegawa Award in 2018 for “distinguished contributions to the field of automation and robotics in construction”. Frédéric is the current President of the International Association for Automation and Robotics in Construction (IAARC), and he is Associate Editor of the journal Automation in Construction (Elsevier).

  • After graduating from Napier University with an HND in Building and a BSc (Hons) in Building Engineering and management, Iain has been with the A Proctor Group for nearly 30 years where he have been initially internal sales/technical, then Technical manager and now Technical Director.

    Iain has extensive experience in construction membranes both vapour control, air tightness and vapour permeable. he sits on various pitched roofing technical committees including BS 5534, NFRC Slating and Tiling Technical meetings and BS 5250 where he sat on the roofing subcommittee and chaired the Wall subcommittee meetings as well as sitting on the main committee. Iain recently completed a CIOB Level 6 Certificate in Fire safety for Construction. Iain also deal with APG extensive range of gas contaminated land membranes and systems.

    Iain has been involved in our acoustic flooring development, and involved in HBF robust details development.

    He heads up the various Innovation groups within the A Proctor Group which includes roofing, Fire, High Rise and Facades, Offsite/Modular, Gas contaminated land, Accessories, Acoustics, General Idea Generation and Sustainability.

  • Mari’s role at Interface focuses on encouraging businesses from all sectors and social enterprises in Scotland to collaborate with Scotland’s academic expertise, to help business' develop new innovative products, services or processes.  This helps organisations to grow and in turn will reinforce Scotland’s excellent reputation for innovation and benefit Scotland’s economy. In addition, Mari can help organisations access a wide range of specialist equipment available for commercial use across Scottish Universities and Research Institutes. Mari was a finalist in the Praxis Auril Knowledge Exchange Awards 2021 - Pandemic Pivot of the Year and is also a Champion for the Scotland Construction Innovation Centre. Mari holds a BA in Business and Enterprise and has a long and varied career working in Marketing and PR within local government and Scottish Enterprise. Mari’s role before joining Interface was as Development Manager for the 7stanes Mountain Biking Community Interest Company, which was very much a hands-on role at all levels of the business. 

  • Alastair Forbes (FRIAS RIBA ARB PGDip) studied at the University of Strathclyde, which included a scholarship to ETH Zurich in 1999, and gained his post graduate diploma in advanced architectural design in 2003. Alastair qualified as an architect in 2006.

    Alastair previously worked for NORD (Northern Office for Research and Design) from its inception in 2003 and was a contributor to the growth and success of this award winning practice that included NORD being recipients of the Building Design Young Architect of the Year Award (YAYA) in 2006 and Scottish Architect of the Year in 2007.  In 2013, Alastair joined Ryder Architecture, working across numerous sectors including education, workplaces and healthcare. His time at Ryder included leading the delivery of the new Prince and Princess of Wales Hospice in Glasgow. Alastair established Alastair Forbes Architects (AFA) in 2020 and currently works on a broad range of projects including masterplanning, smart mobility infrastructure and sustainable living.

    Alastair is passionate about creating simple, contextual and innovative architectural solutions and believes that design rigour and close multi-disciplinary collaboration are key to achieving exceptional architecture.

    Alastair has also been involved in architectural education as a design studio tutor at Strathclyde University for five years, has lectured at numerous institutions in the UK and authored a British Council for Offices published research paper on the adaptive reuse of buildings for workplaces.

    Alastair was elected a Fellow of the Royal Institute of Architects in Scotland (RIAS) in 2020.

  • Russell is an experienced heat pump champion. Initially an electronics and systems engineer in the defence industry, but for the past 15 years he has provided a range of services relating to heat pumps including consultancy, specification, systems design, installation, servicing, diagnosis and repair. He will be able to assess the suitability and potential performance of heat pumps in domestic and commercial building environments. His involvement in projects will ensure an optimum, energy efficient and low-carbon design. He is also particularly interested in new, innovative solutions to energy efficiency, such as using time-of-use tariffs and demand-side energy management / load-shifting.

  • David has over 40 years experience in the house building market starting off working with his bricklayer father on leaving school. He also studied at Abertay University and on completion of his HND in Building in 1981 he went on to work as a Site Engineer with a civil engineering company where he added an HC in Civil Engineering to his qualifications. 

    He then went onto work with Perth & Kinross Council in Building Control and over the 7 years there became an Area Office Manager. 

    David started in the structural warranty sector in 1999 with Zurich Building Guarantee and when they withdrew from the market he moved to Checkmate as a Regional Surveyor in 2010 and is now Head of Surveying where he leads a team of professionally qualified surveyors. He has assisted in creating an innovative and bespoke process for their risk management. 

  • Colin is a Director at Bruach Architects, a growing architectural firm based in Clydebank.  He has been a qualified architect since 2009, after graduating from the University of Dundee with an honours degree in 2006.  He has worked in a variety of sectors including residential, healthcare and office developments, with experience of working directly with clients to deliver projects on time and on budget.

    His particular passion is innovation, and use of digital tools to improve the design and construction process, and the advantages this brings to time, cost, safety and other aspects.  Colin is an experienced project architect, contract administrator and lead consultant on projects ranging from £500k - £20m in value.  Colin is ARB registered, a member of the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA), the Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland (RIAS), the Glasgow Institute of Architects (GIA), the Scottish Ecological Design Association (SEDA), and an Incorporated Member of the Association of Project Safety (IMaPS). 

    He is also a STEM Ambassador, a Professional Studies Adviser at the University of Strathclyde, and a bank lecturer at City of Glasgow College.

  • Michael is an Architect with over 15 years' experience in the construction industry. In his current role he works as a Design Manager for Multiplex, a Tier 1 contractor, on a range of complex and large-scale construction projects.

    Michael leads a ‘model-first’ approach to design review on all Multiplex projects across Scotland. The University of Glasgow’s new western campus demonstrates this approach to design and construction, with a strong focus on model coordination between design consultants and specialist subcontractors to resolve complex interface design issues.

    ‘Model-first’ has been key to the success of the western campus, in addition to many other Multiplex projects.

    In his previous role, Michael was Digital Construction Lead for the business.

    Before joining Multiplex, he worked with BAM Construction for 6 years as BIM Lead on a wide range of projects including schools, office buildings and the iconic V&A Museum in Dundee.

    Michael has been a member of the Architects Registration Board for 12 years and has worked for architectural practices in both the UK and Canada. He gained his degree and postgraduate diploma in Advanced Architectural Design at the University of Strathclyde.

  • Professor Malcolm Horner is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh and the Institution of Civil Engineers, and an Honorary Fellow of the Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland. He is a civil engineer specialising in constructiomn management whose career has embraced both academia and industry. A former Vice Principal of the University of Dundee, he has held numerous private and public sector appointments at director level, and chairs his own company, Whole Life Consultants Ltd which he founded in 2004.

    He was Vice Chair of RICS’s working group on the Global Professional Statement on Cost Prediction, and is currently Vice Chair of the ICMS Standards Setting Committee and Chair of the Analytical Consortium of the Transport and Infrastructure Efficiency Strategy’s Living Lab Project which seeks to demonstrate how benchmarking can drive improved performance.

    Professor Horner has published over 125 papers, notably in the areas of labour productivity, cost modelling and control, benchmarking, whole life costing, asset management and sustainability assessment.

  • Scott is a leading expert on management, skills and innovation, which is supported by his applied research work. As a former stonemason, project manager, SME construction contractor,  lecturer, and now MD of Pvotal Consultancy - www.pvotalconsult.com, an innovative management consultancy service, who are dedicated to improving the growth and resilience of SME construction industry businesses.  

    He has played an influential role in developing and driving the action plan of improvement initiatives aligned with Government policies and the Construction Scotland Industry Strategy.  For example, he is part of the Future Skills Industry Leadership Group and Pvotal Consultancy Ltd were selected as a key contributor to the 2020 Scottish Construction Recovery Plan. 

    A member of the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB), BIM4 Heritage and CIPA, as well as a Fellow of the Institute of Innovation and Knowledge. He has an PhD in Construction Project Management from Heriot Watt University, whose doctorate thesis is titled: 

    "A Common Structured Integrated Collaborative Digitised (CrOsS) Framework for the Repair and Maintenance (R&M) Sector". 

    Scott brings a unique perspective and ability to the consultative approach, providing business, industry, academic and research understanding to the critical nature of communicating and collaborating effectively and aligning teams, to work towards growth and resilience, through the vehicles of innovation and digital transformation.

  • Don is a designer, technologist, and educator with a career spanning over 25 years in product design, immersive VR, interactive entertainment, communications and service design, digital, design research and healthcare.

    Working at the junction of design and technology, Don has been involved in the development of products and services with companies and organizations across commercial, public and applied research sectors including Virtuality, Oyster Partners (now DigitasLBi), The Fraunhofer Institute, MIT and Giugiaro.

    Currently, Don divides his time between the Innovation School at Glasgow School of Art, where he is Design Director, The Digital Health and Care Innovation Centre, where he holds the same title, and with various companies as an independent Creative Technologist.

  • Kirsty is a highly experienced Sustainability Practitioner and MBA Finalist with a strong focus on innovation, sustainability, inclusive growth & circular economy. Kirsty has over 18 years of cross sectoral experience, working with businesses and organisations to deliver creative and impactful solutions to customers. Kirsty is an IMEA Full Member, Full Member Assessor, Steering Group Member and a Chartered Environmentalist board member and Chairperson of Environmental Scottish Children’s Charity.  Her key skills are in designing and supporting projects that align business priorities with the transition to a net zero and circular economy, creating jobs, opportunity and enhancing biodiversity systems.

  • The built environment is having a significant impact on our planet and its inhabitants, my motivation is to prioritise approaches that reduce, stop, and reverse the damage it is inflicting on our natural world.  I want to see a world that is thriving and adapted to the impacts of climate change.  Where the world’s population have access to food, shelter and clean energy and are working together to prioritise and protect the biodiversity that our survival is so intrinsically linked. 

    Acting on the Climate and Biodiversity Emergencies have been the motivation for my working practice for over 15 years. It began at University when working on volunteer projects for local charities and self-build groups in Brighton and has continued throughout my time within an Architectural Practice, a national Contractor, and an Active Travel charity. I am now a Principal Design Officer at Architecture and Design Scotland (A&DS) focusing on the intersection between climate action and a place-based approach, a Trustee of Creative Carbon Scotland and the Chair of A Place in Childhood, a charity that supports young people to change our world.

  • James Robb is a committed sustainability professional with 20 years of experience working in the built environment. He holds an MSc in Architecture (Advanced Environmental & Energy Studies) and has qualified as a Chartered Environmentalist (CEnv.), Chartered Architectural Technologist (MCIAT), and BREEAM Accredited Professional (BREEAM AP). James is a visiting tutor at several UK universities.

    As an Associate Sustainability & Carbon Consultant at Hoare Lea consulting engineers, James' primary role is to lead projects related to the carbon, energy, and sustainability performance of buildings, infrastructure, and businesses. He is also the leader of the Glasgow Institute of Architects sustainability committee and the deputy chair of the Construction Industry Council 2050 Group. Through these positions, James aims to influence the construction industry, its institutions, and companies to mainstream sustainable approaches and take positive action towards achieving a Net Zero Carbon society (and beyond).

    James is particularly interested in the need for buildings that perform better, with lower carbon emissions, lower energy demand, higher comfort levels, and providing a healthier environment for occupants. He has a wide range of project experience relating to the carbon, energy, and sustainability performance of buildings, infrastructure & businesses, including lifecycle analysis, environmental assessment, energy use, sustainable materials, and climate change adaptation.

    James' main focus is on Whole Life Carbon and Circular Economy, using his experience of multiple lifecycle assessments and in-depth knowledge of technical building design. He has worked on a wide range of project types, scales, and at all project stages. This enables him to develop low carbon solutions from conceptual design to detailed specification that can be realized.

  • With Over 35 years’ experience in construction, Carl's career started in Building Services. Here he served a Technical Apprenticeship before progressing into design and Operations Management.

    The last 20 Years have been spent with Principle and Main Contractors, where Carl has been Head of Design, Building Services and Construction Teams operating throughout the UK. In Carl's position as Group Head of Sustainability, he is challenging the way the industry currently approaches and operates. Carl is driving innovation, a change in mind set, a whole life carbon approach and bringing sustainable and environmental governance to take the industry to net zero and beyond.

  • Allan Sandilands has 18 years’ worth of experience in the construction industry, with a passion to drive transformation and change in the industry, specifically in relation to the Circular Economy and Net Zero Carbon.

    Allan has been working to embed sustainable practices across a variety of sectors delivering unique insight into the barriers for sustainable thinking and economic opportunity. Allan has worked in the public, private and not for profit sectors and as such has experience from multiple viewpoints and has learned the best techniques and levers to pull to effect real change.

    Allan is now the Head of Environmental Sustainability at Bell Group UK, the largest painting and maintenance contractor in the UK, and is leading the development and delivery of the organisations environmental sustainability strategy and preparing the business of the environmental challenges and opportunities which lie ahead.

  • Stephen is Managing Director of Galliford Try’s Environment business which operates across the UK water sector. Stephen is also a Director of CECA Scotland, President of the Chartered Institution of Civil Engineering Surveyors and a visiting Professor in Digital Construction at Robert Gordon University. Stephen’s interest lies in automation, artificial intelligence and virtual reality in construction and is currently leading several research and development projects in blockchain, AI and digital twins. As a passionate low carbon professional, Stephen also supports Scottish Water on their low carbon expert panel and is developing several low carbon products and services for the Water sector.

  • Mark qualified as a Chartered Surveyor in 1994 working in Aberdeenshire Council and Chesterton. In 2001, he found Open Era Systems, one of the UK’s first online property management systems companies gaining clients including BNP Paribas Real Estate. After eight years in Finland running a VC-backed startup, he returned to form Beringar with Paul. The vision – to take the real estate industry to the next level using the power of IoT.

    Read about Mark's thoughts on joining as an Innovation Champion here.

  • Graham is a director specialising in BIM Strategy & Implementation with 35 years’ experience in AEC including over 25 years’ experience using various BIM platforms. A Technician member of both the Institution of Civil Engineers & the Institution of Structural Engineers with an MSc in BIM Management, based the Glasgow, Scotland.

    In 2017, Graham founded Digital Guerrilla Consultancy Ltd, Scotland’s 1st Digital Information Management Consultancy, with the aim to ensure their client’s use of digital technologies is improved through training, education, and support to gain efficiencies and better business outcomes throughout the design process.

    Over the past few years, Digital Guerrilla has built up an impressive client base delivering Information Management on projects worth over £500m throughout the UK, working on some of the UK’s key frameworks including the Department of Education’s £3bn Offsite Schools framework & the Scottish Governments £1bn Schools for the Future Programme, and delivering over 70+ courses to over 600 staff members and launched Digital Guerrilla Academy in Q3/2020 to offer an online cost-effective training platform with their 1st course on offer Delivering COBie, Ifc & Classification using Autodesk Revit (uniclass 2015 version).

    Graham is also an Associate Tutor and part of the Associate Consultancy Programme at BSi delivering their BIM training courses across the UK and a part-time lecture at Glasgow Caledonian University.

  • Dr Michael Tong is the Head of the Department of Construction & Surveying at Glasgow Caledonian University, overseeing the education of over 1200 undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral students. He has a keen interest in construction innovation, digital transformation, productivity, project management, and supply chain management. Dr Tong is actively involved in supervising undergraduate, master's, and PhD students, and conducts industry-focused research in collaboration with forward-looking organizations.

    Dr Tong's most recent research project was as project lead for the Built Environment Futures Reports, a collaboration with CSIC, Robertson Group, Autodesk, and Scottish Enterprise. The project was tasked with identifying and highlighting emerging technology trends within the construction industry. As the lead, Dr Tong worked to provide construction organizations with a simple four-step approach to engage with the future in the short, medium, and long term.