John works with clients, contractors and consultants in the built environment; setting future technical and digital strategy, enabling design and construction and generating winning, innovative ideas. Areas of expertise include:

Engineering Innovation: Construction Engineering and Modern Methods of Construction (MMC). Technical strategy and innovation for conceptual design and bids. Design review and forensic engineering.

Digital Transformation: Digitally enabling design, delivery and Construction Technology (CTech). 

Strategic Advice: The future of engineering design practice and technical processes and management.
Over the past 36 years John led and influenced at Laing O’Rourke, Atkins and Arup, working in London, Los Angeles, Bangalore and Hong Kong. He took consultant and contractor teams through all project stages from conception to construction. 

A civil and structural engineer, he brings together the diverse technical and leadership skills needed for ‘one team’ multidisciplinary design, construction, and assurance. He has delivered major projects in sectors including aviation, rail, nuclear, water, offices, stadia, and public buildings.

John is the Royal Academy Visiting Professor of Digital Technology and Net-Zero Design and Construction in the Built Environment at the University of Hertfordshire. He is Chief Engineer at McGee where the team won the 2022 British Construction Industry Award for Innovations in Temporary Works. He is a Digital and Strategy Consultant at Priestland Consultants. 

In 2022 was an editor of “Innovation in Construction: a Practical Guide to Transforming the Construction Industry” and is a contributing author to the planned second edition of the “ICE Manual of Structural Design: Buildings”. In 2021 he was host of the second series of the "IABSE in Conversation" podcast (Apple, Sounder, Youtube)

Recent posts

By John Roberts 25 Apr, 2023
More diversity, pace…… and sustainability’s next frontier
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Clarity, connection and diversity 
By John Roberts 22 Mar, 2023
A few personal definitions
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