2025: A year in review

From new appointments and acquisitions to major project milestones, project wins, and social value work within our local communities, there’s been no shortage of ambition, innovation, collaboration and cause for celebration across our valued teams.

Without further ado, let’s take a look at just some of the most significant moments from the past year. 

Our work

Working in partnership with clients to solve challenges and help deliver outstanding infrastructure solutions across the transport, energy, environment and built-environment sectors, our connected teams have worked collaboratively to secure a number of major project wins and ensure milestones were seamlessly achieved.

This year has definitely been one for the books.

Projects

We kicked off 2025 with a big win for our multidisciplinary colleagues in Ireland, securing a position on the BusConnects Dublin Core Bus Corridors Infrastructure Works Program, which aims to improve accessibility, connectivity and sustainability through upgrades to walking, cycling and bus infrastructure in the area. 

Our success continued in Wales as we saw the release of the Welsh Government’s Public Engagement Strategy report. Our Social and Market Research team evaluated the 2023 strategy, which provided a framework for working with a diverse range of people across the country to act on climate and natural emergencies. Our specialists used a Theory of Change logic model to evaluate the effectiveness of the strategy in contributing to the net zero target. 

In March we celebrated another huge project win as we announced our 50/50 joint venture (JV) position with Arup on the £300 million five-year Network Rail Eastern Region Development and Design Partnership Framework , which will improve connectivity across the board and encourage economic growth. The framework covers a range of multidisciplinary design and development services, including the Northern Powerhouse Rail portfolio, the Integrated Rail Plan and other enhancement projects across the Eastern region. 

Having been commissioned alongside Frontier Economics by the Department for Transport (DfT) to carry out independent monitoring and evaluation on the UK Shipping Office for Reducing Emissions programme, we were thrilled to see the publication of its first Interim Report. The programme was designed back in 2022 to reduce maritime emissions and create skilled jobs across the country by accelerating clean maritime technology research and development. 

Our colleagues attended an inspiring inauguration ceremony in Fingal, County Dublin, to mark the completion of Fingal County Council’s Safe Routes to School works. Appointed in 2022 to develop and implement a programme of schemes at nine schools throughout the county, the work has had a transformational impact, enhancing routes and infrastructure, decreasing road safety concerns, improving air quality, and propelling an exciting move towards active travel for the community. 

During the summer, we were excited to announce our strategic partnership with Amey on the National Highways’ Specialist Professional and Technical Services 3 Framework, which has an estimated maximum value of up to £495 million. Our specialists will provide a wide range of services, from early feasibility studies through to delivery and post-implementation review. 

And the project wins kept coming – shortly after we shared news of our collaboration with the Rail Safety and Standards Board on the deployment of the Future Railway Mobile Communication System strategic programme, in replacement of the old GSM-R system. The work will improve the safety, efficiency and sustainability of the British rail network. 

Towards the end of the year we celebrated a huge win in Ireland as the business was appointed to support the delivery of the next iteration of Ireland’s Climate Action Plan (CAP26). Our specialists are set to provide modelling services to the Department of Transport and National Transport Authority in aid of ambitious decarbonisation goals.

High Speed 2 (HS2)

As part of two joint ventures, we are a key player on HS2, showcasing impressive digital design solutions, and providing a range of services for the project. As work pushes on to provide zero-carbon journeys that will reinforce rail capacity in the UK and create significant economic benefits for regions and populations, we’re hitting some big milestones.

Earlier in the year the construction of the project’s heaviest bridge structure, designed by our specialists as part of the SYSTRA Mott MacDonald Design Joint Venture , was completed. The bridge was then moved into place ahead of schedule. The method used avoided over two years of speed restrictions, lane closures and traffic disruption that a conventional bridge design would likely need.

Exciting progress was made at Old Oak Common station (which is being constructed by the Balfour Beatty VINCI SYSTRA JV) as the first section of platform was installed.

During a 29-hour closure, the first section of a 320-metre-long viaduct for the East Deck was slid into place over the M6 South using an innovative non-stick material, allowing the road closure to end 11 hours ahead of schedule. Keep a look out for the assembly and positioning of the West Deck viaduct using the same technique next year!

A huge 749-metre river realignment of the River Cole was completed for in Warwickshire as part of the Delta Junction works. The realignment was the most significant scheme of its kind on the project and marked a significant milestone. The work improves the existing environment, enhances habitats in aid of biodiversity, and enhances community access.

During the summer months, a complex 1,631 tonne, 112-metre-long steel deck structure for a Mott MacDonald SYSTRA DJV designed bridge was positioned over a section of Birmingham city’s ring road known as Lawley Middleway. Following two years of construction next to Digbeth Canal, the move used a specialist skidding system and took only four nights to complete due to a fantastic collaborative effort.

The autumn welcomed another big move as a 230-metre-long viaduct was positioned over the M6 near Birmingham Airport, once again ahead of schedule. For the first time in the West Midlands, a ‘fully restrained’ sliding technique was used on the project to reduce the time and impact on road users. 

Transpennine Route Upgrade (TRU)

In collaboration with Network Rail, VolkerRail, Siemens, and Murphy as part of the TRU East Alliance, our work as Principal Designer on the largest conventional rail project in the UK forged ahead with great success throughout 2025.

Our work this year brought the north of England ever closer to decreased journey times, increased reliability, improved capacity and safety, and ultimately more opportunities from enhanced connectivity. 

We got the new year off to a fantastic start, announcing the delivery of a crucial SYSTRA-designed bridge replacement over the festive period in Osmondthorpe Lane, Leeds. The work provided a spectacular show as the huge 200-tonne bridge was moved into position in one piece by an impressive self-propelled modular transport vehicle. Our specialists also took on the project’s safety and assurance using the innovative 4D planning tool SYSTRA Vision.

During the spring another notable milestone was reached as we celebrated the completion of tangential wiring at Colton Junction. The unique and complex section of overhead line equipment (OLE) over a diamond track crossing mitigates the operational risks caused by the existing wiring geometry. Our teams worked with specialists from the University of Huddersfield on the iterative design and dynamic modelling.

The following months provided lots of electrification progress on TRU, resulting in 25% completion of the whole project’s electrification by August. An Automatic Power Change Over system was implemented, and on Sunday 3^rd August the first electric passenger train was therefore able to run between York and Church Fenton. To celebrate, the project team was thrilled to welcome the Secretary of State for Transport, Heidi Alexander MP, who travelled on a TransPennine Express bi-mode train between Leeds and York.

By the end of the year the Crawshaw Woods bridge removal opened the doors for safe installation of the new OLE, with the historic components being repaired and renovated off-site. We can’t wait to see the restored structure reinstated soon!

Business Growth

In order to effectively support our project work and strong ambitions, our business continues to grow, adapt and develop at an impressive rate.

To kick the year off, SYSTRA Scott Lister UK was transferred to SYSTRA Limited from SYSTRA ANZ, bringing with it its exceptional human factors expertise. The move saw a selection of experienced rail and aviation specialists, already active on key projects such as HS2 and TRU , embedded into the UK and Ireland business.

Our Glasgow office was relocated in response to strong growth, both locally and across the UK, and as part of our long-term commitment to attracting top talent in Scotland. 

Having been present in Ireland since the late 1970s, this year we celebrated our 20^th birthday in Dublin, marking two decades in the city and many more years of transforming transport infrastructure and connectivity for the region and beyond.

SYSTRA Group also announced the acquisition of BG&E – a multi-disciplinary engineering company founded in Australia. The move marks the launch of a new international offering dedicated to complex buildings.

COllaboration

Our work is exponentially enhanced by opportunities to collaborate throughout the business and the wider industry. Diversity of ideas and solutions is fundamental to the success of our projects.

This year, we prioritised collaboration in the pursuit of technical excellence and innovation.

Back in February, we hosted the Rail Industry Association (RIA) North Leadership Group at our Manchester office, to talk all things rail in the north of England. We were joined by Huw Merriman (Chair of the Liverpool-Manchester Railway Partnership Board), Liz Goldsby (Head of NPR and High Speed Development at Transport for Greater Manchester), and Transport for Greater Manchester and Liverpool City Region representatives. The session was a fantastic opportunity to come together across the industry to highlight the importance of rail connectivity to the region, and discuss how infrastructure and services must develop to open up access to opportunities for communities, enable economic growth and ensure sustainability in transport.

With similar objectives, our Birmingham office also hosted the RIA Midlands & Eastern Leadership Group, led by chair and SYSTRA Operations Director Sekoura Benissad, and vice chair James Brown.

With Project Director Nizar Awad at the helm, we hosted the Network Rail North West & Central and Eastern SHELT Summit at HS2’s Old Oak Common site. Nizar shared his project insights and led a tour of the site, providing those in attendance with the opportunity to witness first-hand the impressive progress made on the project, and take away best practice and lessons learned for sharing across the industry. 

Midway through the year, we were proud to select the TomTom location technology suite to strengthen our urban transport planning, design and modelling capabilities, and enable evidence-based planning and investment decisions across the UK and Ireland. The collaboration ensures that the transport solutions we provide enhance and optimise urban mobility, quality of life, sustainability and economic growth to the highest possible degree.

We also entered into a premium partnership with ERTICO, enabling the business to push further ahead with innovative techniques in data handling, AI, machine-learning and bespoke modelling, and make the most of opportunities to apply research and innovation in real-world scenarios. Partnering with ERTICO accelerates adoption of new digital products across European markets, and ultimately supports the mission of safer, more efficient, sustainable mobility.

Similarly, our new partnership with the British Aviation Group will encourage collaboration, development and effective delivery within the growing market. 

Our PEOPLE

Our people are the backbone of our business.

Our community of leading thinkers, keen collaborators and supportive peers all exemplify our values – Excellence, Connected Teams and Bold Leadership – and drive our mission forward.

Whatever they’re working on, our colleagues are all about making maximum impact.

This year we saw some important strategic appointments across the business.

With 27 years of professional experience in sustainable transport planning, strategy development and transport modelling in his back pocket, Ian Byrne was appointed Ireland Consultancy Business Director, now Business Director for Ireland, to build on recent success across the Ireland market.

Later in the year, Conor Cleary joined our Ireland team as Sales Director for Ireland, bringing with him his extensive business development experience and expertise to further help the business realise its growth ambitions in the country.

Having joined the business in 2022 in a rail-specific capacity, in May this year, Chris Judge took on the role of Director of Consultancy to support the business in delivering growth across all markets and ensure the fulfilment of wider business objectives.

Gareth Davies was appointed as Market Director for Water and Environment to help the business enhance its presence in the market and support the delivery of AMP8 projects, nature-based solutions and environmental projects.

Having already played a pivotal role in the business’ expansion into markets such as energy and water, Jonathan Scott became our Managing Director of Engineering, eager to strengthen SYSTRA’s position as a leader in delivering sustainable transport and infrastructure solutions.

Appointments aside, we also celebrated a trio of new fellows. The Institution of Civil Engineers recognised two of our most talented leaders, Saenthan Sathananthan and Remant Doorgakant, and Sudhasil Das Gupta was awarded fellowship by the Chartered Institute of Highways and Transportation.

Our Head of Innovation Llewelyn Morgan was one of 24 professionals granted a position on the new Advisory Board for the DfT’s Transport Research and Innovation Grant (TRIG) programme. Llewelyn’s position on the Board enables him to guide innovations, identify commercial potential, and witness them contribute to a more efficient, sustainable and inclusive transport system for all.

Our geotechnics specialist Charlotte Woodhall-Jones was elected to the British Geotechnical Association (BGA) Executive Committee for the next three years as one of nine members.

SOCIAL VALUE

Our business isn’t just about economic success and growth. We also care deeply about our communities, sustainability, and equality, diversity and inclusion (ED&I), both in our project work and throughout the business itself when it comes to our own activities and the wellbeing of our colleagues.

Our goal is to continuing growing and pushing our social value contribution – we know there’s always more work that can be done. 

This year we chose our corporate charities as Dementia UK and the Irish Cancer Society. The charities were voted on by our colleagues, and each was given a one-off donation on behalf of the company. Our colleagues took part in a number of fantastic fundraising activities throughout the year, including the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge and the Royal Parks Half Marathon!

In July we attended Leeds Pride for the third year as sponsors and walkers in the parade. Our participation, organised by our brilliant Everyone Onboard Colleague Engagement Group, reflects our acknowledgement of the challenges still faced by the LGBTQ+ community, and our support for LGBTQ+ colleagues, loved ones and more widely across the industry. It was wonderful to watch our colleagues come together, from offices up and down the country, to celebrate in such colour!

This year we also teamed up with the UK-wide charity Career Ready to support young people looking to enter the engineering and consultancy industry. The programme empowers young people from under-represented backgrounds, connecting them directly with workplaces in order to gain invaluable experience, insights and a support network.

In alignment with our ED&I values and goals, we were very proud to renew our partnership with Women in Transport. The organisation provides networking and professional development opportunities across all modes and disciplines, enabling and encouraging more women to thrive within the transport sector.

Towards the end of the year we were thrilled to share our new Sustainability Mission, which sets out how the business will push even harder to shape and support a better future for all throughout our projects, people and business activities. The mission – structured through the three strategic pillars of people, planet and purpose – is supplementary to our Sustainability Strategy and Policy, which provides guidance on how colleagues can get involved and play their part as individuals.

AWARDS

At SYSTRA we truly understand and appreciate that so much of our success is owed to the dedication and innovation of teams working hard behind-the-scenes.

And, while we love to celebrate our colleagues internally, it’s always gratifying to see our work recognised by the wider industry as well.

Plus we do love a trophy!

Here are just some of our award-wins throughout 2025:

• Institution of Civil Engineers Yorkshire & Humber Awards - ‘Sir John Fowler Award’ for championing ED&I in active travel across Sheffield.
• Institution of Civil Engineers Yorkshire & Humber Awards - ‘Smeaton Award’ for the TRU Alliance’s work on the Osmondthorpe Lane bridge replacement.
• SPOTLIGHT Rail Awards 2025 – ‘Best Use of Technology – Infrastructure’ award for using SYSTRA Vision to proactively manage safety risks on the TRU East project.
• Transform Magazine Awards – the Mima team were recognised for the visual work on London Gatwick Airport station, taking home ‘Best Wayfinding or Signage’ and ‘Best Visual Identity from the Transport and Logistics Sector’. As the lead designer, we were proud to work closely with Mima on the wayfinding and signage for the project.
• SHELT Awards 2025 – ‘Biodiversity Award’ for the habitat management and monitoring plan on the East Coast Main Line power supply upgrade.
• Intelligent Transport Systems UK Annual Awards – ‘Better Integration through Technology Award’ for working collaboratively with Yonder Data Solutions and TravelAi to understand travel habits through digital technology and data fusion on the DfT’s FUSION project.
• John Connell Awards – ‘Quiet Mark Build Environment Award’ for impressive noise reduction and excellent sound management on the Gatwick Airport Station modernisation project.

And that’s a wrap! We’d like to wish our colleagues, partners and clients a very happy new year. We can’t wait to work on more game-changing, award-winning projects in 2026!

Please get in touch with our specialists if you’d like to work with us in any capacity.

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