Judges

"Charles is a leading specialist in concrete engineering and construction materials with over 45 years experience. His experience includes the use of concrete for civil, building and tunnelling applications. After a number of years working in the construction chemicals industry in Hong Kong, Singapore and Dubai, in 2000 he was appointed of Managing Director of the International Centre for Geotechnics and Underground Construction based in Zurich, a foundation responsible for the training and qualification of staff for tunnelling projects. More recently, Charles has been involved as a consultant to a number of different organisations within the civil engineering and tunnelling sectors and has recently been advising joint venture contractors on the Deep Tunnel Sewer System, Phase 2 project in Singapore, the Central Interceptor Tunnel in Auckland, New Zealand, the Sydney Metro to West Sydney Airport railway, Australia and the Thames Tideway project Charles is a fellow of the Concrete Society and a member of the Institute of Concrete Technology. "

"Onur Aydemir has over 25 years of major project delivery experience on oil & gas, infrastructure and energy investments in Europe, Asia and West Africa. Prior to joining National Grid he has worked on a Power Plant project in Turkey, Gas Processing Facility project in Kazakhstan, 2012 London Olympics Programme and Iron Ore Mine development in West Africa. During his career with National Grid he has been the Onshore Delivery Manager for the IFA2 Interconnector project, Project Director for the Grain LNG Terminal Expansion, Project Director for the 32.5 km London Power Tunnels project and is now the Construction Director for the Infrastructure Delivery team, part of the NG’s UK Strategic Infrastructure division. He has a BSc degree in Electrical Engineering and holds both Turkish and British citizenships. "

"Lisa joined Joseph Gallagher in 2023 having previously held a number of senior human resources roles within the construction and engineering sectors. Lisa is responsible for leading the Group’s people function, driving initiatives across talent development, employee engagement, and performance management. She plays a key role in shaping the Group’s culture and ensuring that HR practices support the Group’s strategic objectives and long-term success. "

Guilhem is a geotechnical engineer with a strong geological background, specializing in underground construction, including tunnels and deep foundations. He holds an MSc in Petroleum Engineering from Imperial College London and an MSc in Geology from ENSG. He has worked as the Underground Geotechnical Manager on HS2 C1 and contributed to Grand Paris tenders at Bouygues’ headquarters. He also gained hands-on experience managing an STP for TBM operations in Hong Kong.

Luke is responsible for sustainability initiatives, strategy and reporting at Keller Group. He is chair of the European EFFC Sustainability Working Group and co-chairs the cross-continent EFFC-DFI Sustainability Guides Task Group. He holds a doctorate in sustainability focused on geotechnical companies. Previous work includes roles as a structural geologist, including on the Panama Canal and Oman Drilling Project.

Rosa Diez is the European Tunnels Practice Lead for Mott MacDonald Ltd currently working as Tunnel Technical Lead for several tunnel schemes in the UK. Rosa has more than 30 years’ experience in the design and construction of major underground projects around the world, particularly in the metros, railways and hydro sectors. After completing her MSc at Imperial College in Engineering Geology, she has worked for several major international consultancies, managing large design teams for underground projects such as the HS2 Northern Tunnels, Heathrow Express, Channel Tunnel Rail Link, Victoria Station Upgrade, Porto Metro and the Crossrail C121 SCL contract. Rosa is also Account Lead for Transportation Tunnels folio responsible for winning work and managing a portfolio of approx. £10 million per year.

Ross brings an end-to-end perspective on tunnel projects, shaped by experience across client, design, and contractor teams, helping him make practical, well-balanced decisions. He combines hands-on expertise in sprayed concrete tunnelling with international best practice to deliver efficient, reliable designs, including major time and cost savings on large road and rail projects. He has also served for several years as a judge for the International Tunnelling and Underground Space Association awards.

"Lilia Frunzo is a Social Value and Stakeholder Manager working with VolkerFitzpatrick. With a strong background in Tunnelling, working on projects such as Tideway and HS2, Lilia is particularly passionate about supporting early careers development and fostering a diverse future talent pipeline within the industry. As a judge for the British Tunnelling Awards, Lilia is committed to recognising projects that not only demonstrate engineering innovation but also contribute positively to communities and leave a lasting legacy beyond construction."

"Since 2019, Andrea leads Arcadis Tunnelling in the UK. His responsibilities include evaluation/pursuit of opportunities, marketing, business development, client facing, preparation of technical and commercial proposals, secure and delivery work, and SME support and advisory (design, cost, buildability, risk, program, forensic). Andrea’s experience in underground works includes basements and immersed, bored and drill and blast tunnels for transport infrastructure, utilities and power. Andrea is presently working on Fraser River Tunnel Project (FRTP) in Vancouver-British Columbia, Canada where he leads the immersed tube tunnel (ITT) geotechnical team. "

"Alice is an experienced Principal Ground Investigation Consultant within Arcadis’ Ground Investigation Team. With over 20 years’ experience of onshore / nearshore works, from remote parts of the world and around the UK, in the Ground Investigation contracting and Ground Investigation within a consultancy industry. She has worked on the pre-construction investigation phase of numerous large infrastructure tunnelling projects such as Crossrail, Thames Tideway and HS2. She has a well-rounded knowledge of Ground Investigations ranging from crucial Early Contractor Involvement providing advice and planning to designers; practical knowledge of how-to setup and run a site; in depth knowledge of ground investigation techniques from drilling to in-situ testing; obtaining critical design information required to aid and inform the project conceptual model; along with key Client / Designer communication and liaison. "

"Bob is currently a Consultant to London Bridge Associates Ltd a Construction Management Consultancy which he with others founded in 2000. He has more than 50 years' experience in the construction industry starting in Nuclear power in the 60s and then moving on to Tunnelling in the 70s where he retains an involvement today. He has held many senior management positions on an extensive range of major (mainly tunnelling) projects including the Channel Tunnel, Jubilee Line Extension and HS1.He is a Past Chair of the BTS and has always taken a keen interest in education and training. He has worked with CITB and Tunnelskills on National Vocational Standards and Qualifications and was the BTS Champion for the Construction Management Module of the Tunnelling MSc course run at Warwick University."

"Chris has 24 years' experience as a specialist in engineering geology and rock engineering, with experience in tunnelling, cavern engineering, rock slopes, site investigation, foundations, earthworks, retaining walls, excavations, geotechnical asset management, landslides, engineering geomorphology, quarrying, mining and mining remediation. Chris is also experienced in leading technical teams, project management, staff training/coaching/mentoring (which he finds particularly rewarding), research, report writing, technical checking, reviews, risk management and assisting with claims and expert witness work. He is keenly interested in health and safety, the environment, sustainability and ethics."

Jung has more than 25 years of international tunnel design experience that spans over from the project inception to the maintenance stage.

"Martin Knights is a Fellow of The Royal Academy of Engineering. He leads a Global Technical Practice for Tunnelling and Geotechnical Engineering and Sciences . Martin is Senior Vice President and Senior Technology Fellow of The Engineering & Management company CH2M. He is a Fellow of The Institution of Civil Engineers ;Trustee of The Brunel Museum London; Freeman of City of London; awarded British Tunnelling Society Medal 2010 ; and is a Past President of International Tunnelling Association 2007-10 .Chair LBA ltd , Former President of ITA Geneva , Fellow  of the Royal Academy of Engineering and Independent Consulting Engineer, ex SVP & MD CH2M"

Nicole Metje is Professor of Infrastructure Monitoring and Director of the National Buried Infrastructure Facility (NBIF) at the University of Birmingham. Nicole leads the End User applications of the Quantum Hub for Sensor, Imaging and Timing (QuSIT) working closely with industry to evaluate sensors and novel processing methods to see through the ground to ensure that any excavation is safer and results in fewer delays. Nicole is also involved in several utility committees both in the UK (e.g., PAS128) and internationally developing standards and working on best practice and training. She has a long-standing interest in tunnel construction being one of the authors of the seminal textbook entitled “Introduction to Tunnel Construction”.

Mike Needham is a Director in Ramboll’s Major Crossings Division, responsible for delivering major international bridge and tunnel projects. Recent projects include the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link Package 2, where he was design manager for the substructure and foundations of a 7.8km length of the elevated crossing, and the New Storstrøm Bridge where he led the pier design. He currently heads the Ramboll-Arup-TEC team reviewing the immersed tunnel elements of the Fehmarnbelt Tunnel for the Owner. Mike is a Supervising Civil Engineer, a Fellow of the Institution of Civil Engineers and an Associate Member of the Association of Project Managers.

John Nicholas is National Highways Head of Specialism supporting our Strategic Road Network’s Tunnels through Safety, Engineering and Standards.

Claudia began her career in Italy as a civil engineer in the marine sector, working on international projects before relocating to the UK. She joined OTB Engineering four years ago and now leads temporary and permanent works design for UK tunnelling projects. A Chartered Engineer in Italy and CEng MICE, Claudia is passionate about problem-solving and keen to understand how the wider industry addresses challenges while promoting health and safety, welfare, and sustainability. She values collaboration and knowledge sharing to encourage best practice.

Helen Reeves is an internationally leading and renowned Chartered engineering geologist, specialising in site, rock mass and geohazard characterisation, assessment and communication. She has 28 years’ postgraduate experience in engineering geology and geohazard research, with over 30 peer review publications, policy review documents/reports and industry commissioned reports covering a range of topics from site and geohazard characterisation & assessments, mapping, rock mass characterisation, and geomechanics. In Jacobs Helen is a Director and Capability Lead for Geoscience & Engineering Geology (Europe). She is involved in a range of projects with mainly a nuclear and infrastructure site characterisation and geohazard assessment focus.”

I am a Chartered Engineer and Geologist (CEng, CGeol) and a Fellow of the Institution of Civil Engineers (FICE) working as a Principal Geotechnical Engineer with United Utilities leading a team of geotechnical and geoenvironmental engineers managing the ground risk for UU. I have over 33 years’ experience working both within the UK and overseas on major infrastructure projects with a special interest in embankment dams and tunnelling. Former panel member of the ICE Geotechnical Engineering Advisory Panel and past steering group member for CIRIA guidance on ground engineering and asset management as well as an active mentor/supervising engineer for the ICE and scrutineer for the geological society.

Jonathan leads the TAYWOOD Engineering Technical Services team, providing temporary works and engineering support to VINCI Construction delegations within the UK, as well as acting as the Taylor Woodrow Designated Individual for temporary works. Jonathan has extensive experience in the delivery of major civils projects and has a keen interest in developing innovative engineering solutions for project success. With over 20 years in the industry, Jonathan has experience in a variety of roles, from project delivery to the design of both permanent and temporary works.

"Nader Saffari is a highly experienced civil and geotechnical engineer with over 40 years’ professional experience across major infrastructure projects in the UK and internationally. He holds senior academic and professional qualifications and is a Chartered Engineer and Fellow of the Institution of Civil Engineers. Within TfL, he holds the role of Head of Technical Discipline for Earth Structures and Geotechnical Engineering, acting as TfL’s delegated technical authority in this specialist field. He is responsible for setting technical standards, providing authoritative technical direction, and leading assurance activities for earth structures across TfL’s network."

Petr Salak is a tunnelling and underground infrastructure specialist, Managing Director and Partner at Dr. Sauer & Partners Israel. A Chartered Engineer with international experience across major transport, water and energy projects, he has worked on landmark schemes including Crossrail, London Underground upgrades, Tel Aviv’s Red Line and Metro M2, French Hill Tunnels and Sorek 2. Petr combines technical expertise in NATM, TBM tunnelling, geotechnics and complex underground design with project leadership and business development. He is active in the global tunnelling community, including ITACUS and Think Deep UK, and was named ITA/NCE Young Tunneller of the Year in 2014.

"Nearly 20 years of Water Industry experience in United Kingdom. Patrycja is a Chartered Civil Engineer and has specialist skills in the design and project management. She specialises in asset rehabilitation, utility diversions, development associated civil engineering and in the wider aspects of environmental engineering. Ambitious and hard-working individual with proven record of successfully delivering portfolio of complex projects and programmes."

Jiang has twenty years of experience in major infrastructure and tunnelling projects in the UK and across the world, covering transportation, energy, water, nuclear sections. He is a Chartered Engineer and a Fellow of the ICE.

Mark is a civil engineering professional with over 30 years’ experience in project management, site supervision, and construction assurance on complex UK infrastructure schemes. He has acted as the named NEC Project Manager and Supervisor on several iconic programmes, including High Speed 2, London City Airport, the London 2012 Olympic Games and the post Olympic transformation works. Mark is recognised for his technical leadership, collaborative approach and consistent commitment to safe, high quality project delivery.

Dr Alun Thomas has a broad experience of many types of tunnelling methods from immersed tubes to segmental linings, from closed face TBMs to hand excavation under compressed air. He is a specialist in sprayed concrete lined (SCL/NATM) tunnels and numerical modelling. He has been involved in promoting the use of permanent sprayed concrete, fibre reinforcement and spray-applied waterproof membranes. More recently he has championed sustainability and carbon management. Over more than 30 years he has been involved in many of the major tunnelling projects in the UK. He is currently the Carbon manager at the Copenhagen metro.

Borja Trashorras is Project Director for the Grain to Tilbury tunnelling project for National Grid, delivered by the Ferrovial Bemo joint venture. He leads this nationally significant scheme, part of the Great Grid Upgrade, strengthening the UK’s electricity network and supporting cleaner energy. An experienced tunnelling leader, he held senior roles on Tideway, Crossrail and Silvertown. As Project Director for Riverlinx, he led Silvertown’s delivery. He collaborates with stakeholders and communities to deliver outcomes across frameworks. He oversaw major milestones, including Europe’s largest vertical shaft sinking machine and one of the UK’s largest TBMs. He drives safety and programme excellence.

With more than 30 years’ experience across the construction, infrastructure, utilities and social housing sectors, Maxine Wigley is a highly experienced senior leader with extensive expertise in stakeholder management, customer service, operational delivery and performance management. Currently Stakeholder Manager at Kier Group, she has played a key role in major infrastructure and utilities programmes including Thames Water, Scottish Water, Anglian Water and SGN, working closely with operational teams, clients and communities to support successful project delivery. Maxine has significant experience in construction performance frameworks, client relationship management and complex environments, bringing a strong understanding of the challenges and opportunities across major infrastructure and tunnelling projects.

Following my first role out of university as an assistant ecologist at mid-scale consultancy, I made the move into environmental management as an Advisor with Align JV, one of HS2’s Main Works Contractors. I’ve been on the project for almost 7 years and am now Environmental Manager with the Surface Works team based at the Chiltern Tunnel South Portal Site.