Deconstructing Digital

Digital transformation doesn’t start with AI. It starts with getting the basics right. In this episode of Deconstructing Digital, Mike Gibbons - former CIO of Holcim UK - reflects on more than 20 years leading IT and digital strategy in one of the UK’s largest construction materials businesses. An engineer by background, with a career spanning automotive and construction, Mike brings a rare combination of operational understanding and executive technology leadership. He shares hard-earned lessons on sustainability, data ownership, cybersecurity and AI and what it really takes to move from operational stability to strategic impact. Digital strategy gets attention. Stability earns trust. This episode explains why you need both.

Digital adoption doesn’t fail because the technology is wrong. It fails when it makes the job harder. You can invest in the right systems. Roll them out well. Track the adoption numbers. And still struggle to make digital stick. In this episode of Deconstructing Digital, Brian Hammersley, Director of Digital Adoption at Balfour Beatty, shares what it really takes to bridge the gap between IT and frontline operations in construction. Drawing on more than 20 years of operational experience, Brian talks honestly about friction on site, the balance between security and usability, and why productivity – not just log-ins – is the real measure of success. If you’re leading digital change, shaping IT strategy or responsible for operational performance, this conversation offers practical advice you can apply straight away.

Paper is old. That’s where this episode begins. In this episode of Deconstructing Digital, Will Clarke, Managing Director of Direct Enviro Services, shares how to connected digital systems helped reduce admin, improve visibility and support rapid growth. From creating digital job packs to developing AI-powered identification and alert systems, Will explains what it really takes to scale operations without adding complexity.

Scaling a construction business from small beginnings to £5 million and beyond takes more than tools and talent, it takes the right strategy. In this episode of Deconstructing Digital, Amelia speaks with Greg Wilkes, founder of Develop Coaching, about how construction firms can grow sustainably in a digital-first world. They explore lessons learned the hard way - what happens when systems outpace people - and how to get growth back on track. Greg shares his honest lessons from experience and the five-pillar framework he now uses to help others scale smarter.

How do you transform one of England’s most rural and complex highway networks into a high-performing, data-driven, digitally connected service? In this episode, Kris Westerby, Head of Highways at Northumberland County Council, shares how his team has redefined public service delivery - starting with potholes, and ending with transparency, trust, and performance at scale. With real examples of innovation, impact and ambition, this episode is essential listening for professionals in local government, infrastructure or technology.