Visit SYSTRA at Highways UK 2024

Gbenga OLUDOTUN

Modern Methods of Construction Lead

Gbenga is a Chartered Civil Engineer with over 16 years’ experience in the transport infrastructure sector. As the Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) Lead for SYSTRA UK & Ireland, he holds a cross-functional role to increase the organisation’s MMC market presence and build collaborative partnerships with asset owners and contractor clients through the deployment of 3S, digital, sustainable and cost effective design solutions with a systems approach.

He has led the delivery of major infrastructure projects for high profile asset owner clients, including National Highways, HS2 and Network Rail.

He volunteers with Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) and Sustainability West Midlands (SWM).

Andrew Dugdale

Market Director, Conventional Rail, MRT/LRT and Highways at SYSTRA UK & Ireland

Andrew Dugdale is SYSTRA’s Market Director for mass transit, rail and highways. With over 30 years of experience in the transport industry, he has delivered award-winning projects in the transport sector across the UK, and brings extensive knowledge and experience to support SYSTRA’s growth strategy.

Chris Pownall

Business Director, Consultancy Division at SYSTRA’s UK & Ireland

Chris Pownall is Business Director for the Consultancy Division at SYSTRA’s UK & Ireland. He has extensive experience of transport planning with a wide range of specialist skills in mathematical modelling, economic appraisal and market research. He has been involved with numerous rail franchise bids, providing revenue forecasting, customer satisfaction and market research expertise, and wider modelling and research projects for major industry organisations.

Amy Sykes

Director – Consultancy Division

Amy Sykes is a Director at SYSTRA, she is a specialist in preparing and reviewing transport policy and strategy at local and sub national levels. She is a keen advocate for the inclusion and development of sustainable travel policy.

With significant experience as a transport policy, appraisal and investment advisor with an extensive portfolio of roles in advising Combined Authorities, Local Enterprise Partnerships, Local Transport Bodies, and Local Authorities in prioritising and assuring transport investments within devolved processes.

Andy Baines

Highways Technical Director – Engineering Division

Andy is a Highways Technical Director within SYSTRA Engineering Business. He is a Chartered Engineer with 26 years experience. Andy has worked on a number of SYSTRA’s largest projects in the UK and is currently the Highways Discipline lead working with Balfour Beatty Vinci, delivering the HS2 Main Works Civils Contract in Area North. Andy’s role on the HS2 project has been to ensure that the highway design works are delivered on time, within budget and with the correct quality. Prior to the HS2 project Andy was the lead highway engineer on the Wolverhampton Interchange Urban Regeneration Project. SYSTRA were part of the Ion Developments delivery partnership, working for Wolverhampton City Council and Transport for West Midlands.

Darren Kirkman

Associate Director – Consultancy Division

Darren Kirkman is an Associate Director with experience of a range of policy and strategy roles working in both the public and private sector. His key skills are in policy and strategy development, scheme appraisal and evaluation, stakeholder consultation, and political and Elected Member engagement. He is a specialist in preparing and reviewing transport policy and strategy at local and regional levels. He is also a a Board member for the Transport Planning Society (TPS).

Jennifer Aston

Discipline Lead – Landscape – Engineering Division

Jennifer is a Chartered Landscape Architect with 20 years of experience in major infrastructure projects, including road and rail. She has served as Lead Landscape Architect, Environmental Coordinator, and Client-Side Subject Matter Expert, with expertise in Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment (LVIA) and environmental mitigation design. She has also contributed to high-profile public realm projects like London Bridge and Crossrail and played a key role in environmental coordination for HS2 Phase 1.Currently, Jennifer, As Discipline Lead for Landscape leads Systra’ s Nature Positive team, managing both landscape architects and ecologists.

Steve Pickard

Business Director – Consultancy Division

Steve Pickard is a Business Director leading SYSTRA’s development, development management and infrastructure sector across the business. He has worked closely with Highways England as part of the existing Spatial Planning Arrangements and as part of public and private sector projects to deliver a safe and efficient measures to the strategic road network. He is responsible for the supervision of staff at concept, preliminary and detailed studies on a wide variety of traffic and transport studies. Steve has been at the forefront of developing SYSTRA’s traffic transport and highways design capabilities and provide integrated services.