TalkCivils

Nicholas Lake

TalkCivils is a primarily interview based podcast that explores all aspects of the hugely varied and exciting world of Civil Engineering. There is something for everyone from conversations about career paths to advice on professional development, project spotlights to discussions on national strategy, deep dives on technical topics to reviews of industry trends and emerging technology, and anything else that catches our interest along the way. Join me as I talk to some of the remarkable people that enable this industry to provide and maintain the infrastructure that brings individuals and communities together into thriving civilisations.

Episodes

  1. 5d ago

    Bill Guo - AI for the Rail industry and how Civil Engineers should think about and use AI

    https://www.talkcivils.com/engage In this episode I talk to Bill Guo about is work on the use of AI to support the rail sector, and his work supporting the regulation of the use of AI in Civil Engineering more generally. We start by talking about where Bill's experience comes from, and I try to build a picture of his motivations and thought process. We then dig into his thoughts on how AI can, and should, be used, what its limitations are, and touch on some of the wider issues around its miss-use. He has some great advice for those looking to better understand the technology, and those looking to better understand what the future might look like. Bill graduated from Imperial College and is Chartered Civil Engineer. He has a broad understanding of the rail industry having work client side for Network Rail and therefore as part of a technical approval authority. He's worked delivery side for a large consultancy, and then also worked with a small business looking to expand into the rail sector. He is now the founder of AutomateX, https://automatex.uk/ 'Accelerating AI adoption for UK rail'. Bill's entrepreneurial spirit and thirst for knowledge comes over in spades, and he is passionate about bringing others with him on that journey. Bill has won awards for his outstanding contribution to the delivery of large scale rail projects, and is actively working with the ICE to help shape their regulation of and guidance on the use of AI. He is running an event in September to discuss exactly that: https://www.ice.org.uk/events/upcoming-events/ai-and-the-civil-engineer-reimagining-roles-in-infrastructure-delivery If you think you, or someone you know might make a great guest on the show please contact me through the contact form on my website or using the link below: https://4bwygp9l.forms.app/form/69f067f6cb1e2bec183ace6f Remember to like and subscribe on your preferred podcast platform. If you'd like to leave a review head over to Podchaser via my website or at the link below: https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/talkcivils-6461373?utm_source=captivate&utm_medium=podcast_page&action=rate If you'd like to support the show and help me to deliver more great content please consider a donation through my website or at the link below: Support this Podcast For more updates between episodes or to join the conversation follow TalkCivils on: LinkedIn - LinkedIn Instagram - Instagram

  2. Jul 14

    Steve Richardson - Delivering the Barmouth Viaduct Replacement Scheme

    https://www.talkcivils.com | https://www.talkcivils.com/listen ----- Steve Richardson not only led the on site engineering delivery of the two parts of the Barmouth Viaduct replacement scheme, but also played a key role in the development and planning of the scheme, selling that to the project teams, local stake holders, and crucially the ultimate client (Network Rail). With 30 years of experience in the rail industry Steve has clearly developed an invaluable understanding of construction techniques, and the delivery of complex projects. His enthusiasm for his craft shines through, as well as his exceptional ability to communicate his thoughts, ideas, and process. If you would like to find out more about the project then have a look at the talks, paper, and articles below: Grade II* Barmouth Viaduct timber refurbishment | Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE): https://www.ice.org.uk/events/recorded-lectures/barmouth-viaduct-timber-refurbishment Barmouth metallic reconstruction | Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE): https://www.ice.org.uk/events/recorded-lectures/barmouth-metallic-reconstruction ICE Paper: https://www.emerald.com/jcien/article-abstract/doi/10.1680/jcien.25.00461/1367799/The-replacement-of-Barmouth-viaduct-metallics-from?redirectedFrom=fulltext https://www.tonygee.com/our-work/barmouth-viaduct https://community.griffiths.co.uk/our_projects/barmouth-viaduct/ https://www.networkrail.co.uk/stories/barmouth-viaduct-upgrade-in-numbers/ ----- If you think you, or someone you know might make a great guest on the show please contact me through the contact form on my website or using the link below: https://4bwygp9l.forms.app/form/69f067f6cb1e2bec183ace6f Remember to like and subscribe on your preferred podcast platform. If you'd like to leave a review head over to Podchaser via my website or at the link below: https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/talkcivils-6461373?utm_source=captivate&utm_medium=podcast_page&action=rate If you'd like to support the show and help me to deliver more great content please consider a donation through my website or at the link below: Support this Podcast For more updates between episodes or to join the conversation follow TalkCivils on: LinkedIn - LinkedIn Instagram - Instagram

  3. Jun 30

    Liam Kimberley - Championing professional recognition for technicians

    https://www.talkcivils.com | https://www.talkcivils.com/listen ----- Liam Kimberley is the CAD and BIM Delivery Director at Tony Gee and Partners LLP and Fellow of the Institution of Civil Engineers. In this second episode of the two part series we discuss Liam's thoughts on the importance of the technician role within the industry and how these skills are rapidly being lost. He describes how changes in the way companies typically operate, misalignment of formal teaching with work experience, and other factors, have led to this situation. He goes on to make the case for consideration of more formal recognition of the technician role in the form of a new chartership title, and describes the work he and others have been undertaking in that regard. As Liam mentioned, if you want to know more, or would like to get involved with the work being done on this topic, then do get in touch with him on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/liam-kimberley-a7719439/ ----- If you think you, or someone you know might make a great guest on the show please contact me through the contact form on my website or using the link below: https://4bwygp9l.forms.app/form/69f067f6cb1e2bec183ace6f Remember to like and subscribe on your preferred podcast platform. If you'd like to leave a review head over to Podchaser via my website or at the link below: https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/talkcivils-6461373?utm_source=captivate&utm_medium=podcast_page&action=rate If you'd like to support the show and help me to deliver more great content please consider a donation through my website or at the link below: Support this Podcast For more updates between episodes or to join the conversation follow TalkCivils on: LinkedIn - LinkedIn Instagram - Instagram

  4. Jun 23

    Liam Kimberley - An alternative path; Apprentice to CAD and BIM Delivery Director

    https://www.talkcivils.com | https://www.talkcivils.com/listen ----- Liam Kimberley is the CAD and BIM Delivery Director at Tony Gee and Partners LLP and Fellow of the Institution of Civil Engineers. In this first episode of the two part series we talk about his journey from fresh apprentice straight out of school through to his current role. Liam explains his thought process and advice he was given along the way. We learn how some of the decisions he made were unexpected, but his confidence in his own curiosity and diligence paid dividends. My takeaway from this conversation is the importance of Liam's clarity of thought, and his ideas and observations are backed up with tangible considered examples. Do listen to part two for an insight into the work he is doing now. ----- If you think you, or someone you know might make a great guest on the show please contact me through the contact form on my website or using the link below: https://4bwygp9l.forms.app/form/69f067f6cb1e2bec183ace6f Remember to like and subscribe on your preferred podcast platform. If you'd like to leave a review head over to Podchaser via my website or at the link below: https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/talkcivils-6461373?utm_source=captivate&utm_medium=podcast_page&action=rate If you'd like to support the show and help me to deliver more great content please consider a donation through my website or at the link below: Support this Podcast For more updates between episodes or to join the conversation follow TalkCivils on: LinkedIn - LinkedIn Instagram - Instagram

  5. Jun 9

    Chris Ball, Sam Hobbs - IStructE Chartership; how to achieve MIStructE

    https://www.talkcivils.com | https://www.talkcivils.com/listen ----- This episode is all about Chartership with the IStructE, and in particular the process of gaining full membership (MIStructE). The application and in particular the exam is infamously challenging but equally hugely beneficial to your professional development and directly applicable to your every day if you are involved in technical design work. We hope to encourage potential candidates by sharing the details of the tried and tested approach to preparation that greatly improves your chances of success. My guests on this episode are Chris Ball and Sam Hobbs. Chris is an Associate Director and Sam an Associate (Engineer) in the Structures department of Tony Gee and Partners LLP, both talented and experienced engineers with a strong technical focus and a wealth of knowledge to share. We all sat and successfully passed the IStructE professional review in January 2020 at first attempt, and we put a significant part of that success down to the careful preparation technique we followed, as well as the support we were able to offer each other by preparing together. The conversation to some extent focuses on the 'Bridge Question' in the exam, as that is where our combined experience lies. However, there are many valuable and directly transferable lessons shared. There are links below to the main resources mentioned in the episode: Sam's Website - www.thebridgequestion.org | Contact: sam.hobbs@tonygee.comIStructE Technical Guidance Notes - https://www.emerald.com/books/book/19082/ICE-Manual-of-Bridge-EngineeringICE Manual of Bridge Engineering - https://www.emerald.com/books/book/19082/ICE-Manual-of-Bridge-EngineeringSCI Bridges Initial Design - https://steelconstruction.info/Bridges_-_initial_design ----- If you think you, or someone you know might make a great guest on the show please contact me through the contact form on my website or using the link below: https://4bwygp9l.forms.app/form/69f067f6cb1e2bec183ace6f Remember to like and subscribe on your preferred podcast platform. If you'd like to leave a review head over to Podchaser via my website or at the link below: https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/talkcivils-6461373?utm_source=captivate&utm_medium=podcast_page&action=rate If you'd like to support the show and help me to deliver more great content please consider a donation through my website or at the link below: Support this Podcast For more updates between episodes or to join the conversation follow TalkCivils on: LinkedIn - LinkedIn Instagram - Instagram

  6. Jun 9

    Riccardo Stroscio - How Hybrid Steel Girders can reduce material use

    https://www.talkcivils.com | https://www.talkcivils.com/listen ----- Riccardo is a Director in the Structures department at Tony Gee and Partners LLP, Chartered Structural Engineer, and Fellow of the IStructE. He has a wealth of experience in the design, check, and assessment of bridges from feasibility, through detailed design, to construction support, temporary works design, and project coordination. His input to numerous high profile schemes has been invaluable. Riccardo is a fountain of knowledge on all things structural engineering, and has generously and expertly supported the development of several generations of structural engineers. His ability to convey complex concepts in an accessible way is revered by his colleagues, and his enthusiasm for his craft is infectious. Riccardo referenced several pieces of design guidance relating to the design of hybrid steel girders: SCI P432 - https://steel-sci.com/assets/downloads/High-Strength-Steel-and-Execution-Guide-P432.pdfIAPSE Paper: Stroscio, Ball, Udyanin, "Hybrid Steel Girders for Medium-Span Composite Highway Bridges" IBASE Congress, Ghent, 2025 - https://www.researchgate.net/publication/396667409_Hybrid_Steel_Girders_for_Medium-Span_Composite_Highway_BridgesStructural Steel for Bridges Guide P185 7th edition SCI Guidance Note 1.12 - https://steel-sci.com/steel-bridge-group-guidance-notes-on-best-practice-in-steel-bridge-construction.htmlNSC Magazine - https://www.newsteelconstruction.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/TechPaper/NSCJune2017tech.pdf ----- If you think you, or someone you know might make a great guest on the show please contact me through the contact form on my website or using the link below: https://4bwygp9l.forms.app/form/69f067f6cb1e2bec183ace6f Remember to like and subscribe on your preferred podcast platform. If you'd like to leave a review head over to Podchaser via my website or at the link below: https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/talkcivils-6461373?utm_source=captivate&utm_medium=podcast_page&action=rate If you'd like to support the show and help me to deliver more great content please consider a donation through my website or at the link below: Support this Podcast For more updates between episodes or to join the conversation follow TalkCivils on: LinkedIn - LinkedIn Instagram - Instagram

  7. Jun 9

    Tara Sandiford - Bridges to Prosperity (now called Fika)

    https://www.talkcivils.com | https://www.talkcivils.com/listen ----- Tara graduated from the University of Southampton with a Masters Degree in Civil Engineering. During her time as an undergraduate Tara was sponsored by Tony Gee and Partners where she also completed summer placement work experience and a year in industry. Tara now works full time as a consulting civil engineer in the Structures department at Tony Gee. Bridges to Prosperity are now called Fika (as of January 2026) and you can find more information here: https://fika.org/ There is also a New Civil Engineer article about the project Tara worked on. The photo of the bridge I show in the video version of this episode is taken from this site: https://www.newcivilengineer.com/in-depth/how-bridges-to-prosperity-works-with-civil-engineering-organisations-to-build-trail-bridges-in-underdeveloped-countries-24-09-2025/ If you would like to contact Tara you can find her on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tara-sandiford-a0047319b/ ----- If you think you, or someone you know might make a great guest on the show please contact me through the contact form on my website or using the link below: https://4bwygp9l.forms.app/form/69f067f6cb1e2bec183ace6f Remember to like and subscribe on your preferred podcast platform. If you'd like to leave a review head over to Podchaser via my website or at the link below: https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/talkcivils-6461373?utm_source=captivate&utm_medium=podcast_page&action=rate If you'd like to support the show and help me to deliver more great content please consider a donation through my website or at the link below: Support this Podcast For more updates between episodes or to join the conversation follow TalkCivils on: LinkedIn - LinkedIn Instagram - Instagram

  8. Episode 1 Trailer

    TalkCivils - Trailer

    An introduction to TalkCivils, the podcast where I talk to the remarkable people that do Civil Engineering. If you're a Civil Engineer, or thinking of joining the industry, then this podcast is for you. I'll try to release new episodes every month but with a focus on quality rather than quantity. My Website: www.talkcivils.com | www.talkcivils.com/listen Social Media: https://talkcivils.com/youtube | https://talkcivils.com/instagram | https://talkcivils.com/linkedin

Trailer

About

TalkCivils is a primarily interview based podcast that explores all aspects of the hugely varied and exciting world of Civil Engineering. There is something for everyone from conversations about career paths to advice on professional development, project spotlights to discussions on national strategy, deep dives on technical topics to reviews of industry trends and emerging technology, and anything else that catches our interest along the way. Join me as I talk to some of the remarkable people that enable this industry to provide and maintain the infrastructure that brings individuals and communities together into thriving civilisations.

Information

  • Creator
    Nicholas Lake
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    8
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 Nicholas Lake
  • Show Website
    TalkCivils