Annual Guild Conference - Pipelines for a Resilient Future: Innovation, Skills, and Sustainable Impact

The format of the day will continue to blend a mix of case studies, projects, with experts sharing their views on the challenges facing our industry and some of the ways that can be implemented to resolve them. The Conference will also feature the Guild’s Professional Development Network’s National Paper Competition final and conclude with networking opportunities.

This is the perfect place to expand your professional knowledge. Suitable for all professionals from those new to the industry to longstanding members wanting to see how things could change in the future. Networking is a key part of the event, so following the close of the conference there will be time for networking.

Event Agenda

Guest Speakers

Neil Armstrong - CEO & Chairman at United Infrastructure & Guild President

Richard Weeks - Director at AtkinsRealis & Guild Chair

Griff Thomas - External Affairs & Energy Transition Director at United Infrastructure

Griff Thomas is the External Affairs & Energy Transition Director, bringing a multidisciplinary career shaped across complex, highly regulated sectors where technical excellence, safety and compliance are paramount. His experience spans nuclear, airport carbon capture, renewable energy and all core utilities, with particular specialisms in power and energy systems that position him perfectly for the UK’s rapidly expanding data centre sector.

His experience spans nuclear, airport carbon capture and renewable energy projects in the UK and internationally, supporting organisations to deliver robust and future‑ready engineering solutions.

He has played a central role in aligning and ratifying technical standards across multiple schemes and stakeholder groups, strengthening consistency, accountability and regulatory confidence. Griff is also committed to ensuring the next generation of infrastructure professionals have clear, unobstructed pathways into the sector.

Regularly engaging with government, industry bodies and senior stakeholders, he has provided technical and regulatory insight to DESNZ (formerly DECC), informing national policy decisions that shape the UK’s evolving energy landscape.

Driven by integrity, collaboration and practical compliance, Griff helps stakeholders navigate complexity while delivering safe, effective and resilient outcomes across the infrastructure and energy transition sectors.

Martin Berry FICE CEng BEng - Technical Director in Marine Pipelines at Haskoning, UK

Martin has over 30 years of experience in engineering and the water industry, focusing on the design and management of water and wastewater engineering projects. He has developed over 25 years a specialism in the design and construction of marine outfall pipelines including intakes, outfalls, landfalls and trenchless techniques. He has also undertaken supervision and construction management and implemented a large program of condition surveys and maintenance works on marine outfalls in the UK

Martin has designed and managed a diverse range of projects including water, wastewater, seawater system, desalination and industrial from the early stages of feasibility, through design to construction including supervision and the final commissioning.

Martin is recognized leader within the industry which has included published technical papers and Fellow Membership Status of the Institute of Civil Engineers. Martin is also the Chair of the Technical Panel for Intake Outfalls and Landfalls with the Pipeline Industries Guild (UK).

Kyle Holmes - Principal Engineer at AtkinsRealis

Kyle is a Principal Engineer with AtkinsRéalis and a professionally registered Civil Engineering Technologist with the Engineering Council of South Africa. He has over 14 years of experience in the water sector, including 11 years in South Africa, delivering medium to complex pipeline and water infrastructure projects across the full project lifecycle.

He has experience in delivering projects from feasibility and optioneering and solution development, into outline and detailed design, and onward to construction delivery, monitoring, commissioning, and close-out.

His experience spans a wide range of water infrastructure projects, including bulk water conveyance systems, pipeline and pumping station design, non-revenue water reduction programmes, optimisation of water supply networks, rural water supply, network rehabilitation and replacement, and strategic infrastructure planning. Kyle has led and coordinated multi-disciplinary design teams, delivering technically sound and commercially effective solutions. Most recently, he led the design for the Anglian Water Grafham to Rede transfer.

Andy Vine - Commercial Director at Synthotech

Andy has worked within the utilities industry since 1990, having joined the ‘gas board’ as a 16-year-old distribution apprentice, progressing from working on main and pipe installation and repair, to qualifying as a Service Engineer in metering and emergency which included the Industrial & Commercial sector.

In 2005 Andy joined the Innovations Team at what was then ‘National Grid’, where he was involved in delivering industry leading product innovation and implementation.

In 2008 he broadened his experience taking a technical sales and supply chain role at WASK managing a range of key global accounts whilst delivering innovative projects. He took that experience to ALH Systems where he rose to General Manager with overall responsibility of the business.

Andy’s career then diversified into the offshore sector delivering pipeline solutions to power plants, windfarms, and water outfalls before returning to the onshore utility sector as Commercial Director at Synthotech Limited.

Outside of his day-to-day work, Andy is heavily involved in several trade associations and is the current President of the Energy and Utilities Alliance where you may have seen him handing out the prizes at the recent Industry Awards.

Meg Ginsberg - Assistant Project Manager at AtkinsRealis & PDN Chair

Meg Ginsberg is an assistant project manager at AtkinsRéalis who has forged an inspiring career after facing significant personal and professional challenges. Born in Guildford and now based in Devon, Meg became a mother during the pandemic and navigated multiple surgeries that left her a wheelchair user by the age of 18. Originally pursuing a career in nursing, she shifted to project management, completing an apprenticeship and soon to start a degree apprenticeship at Exeter.

Passionate about accessibility and inclusion, Meg launched "Construct Ability”, an initiative to help disabled people enter and thrive in construction and engineering. With sights set on becoming an engineer herself one day, her unique perspective as a wheelchair user drives her mission to make the industry more accessible, adaptable, and diverse. Meg is proud to be part of an essential industry and hopes to continue changing perceptions and driving meaningful change.

Andre Monk - Assistant Bid Manager at Murphy & PDN Deputy Chair

HOTEL RATE CARD

The rate card is fully accessible via our website at www.PRIORITY.ltd using the event passcode: PIPE009

The url that you would need is: http://www.priority.ltd/events.aspx?event=PIPE009

Guests can also book by telephoning PRIORITY on 0845 6123 611 or +44 1473 550 620 and quoting Event Code: PIPE009 26

Sponsorship opportunities are available for this event NOW! Please contact events@pipeguild.com for more information.

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