Beyond Brunel is a podcast series from the South West Infrastructure Partnership bringing together industry leaders and experts to talk about the role of infrastructure in a net zero future for the South West.
Join us on a journey that explores the profound impact of infrastructure on our region’s sustainable evolution. It’s impossible to ignore the indelible mark left by the legendary engineer, Isambard Kingdom Brunel. His visionary genius bestowed upon us some of the most iconic infrastructural marvels. But as we stand on the precipice of a new era, we must ask ourselves: What does the future hold? How can we navigate the nature and climate emergencies and create a sustainable future for the region?
The Beyond Brunel podcast takes forward Brunel’s legacy to explore how infrastructure can become a cornerstone of the South West’s transition to a net zero carbon footprint by 2050. With a keen focus on enhancing people’s lives, boosting regional productivity, and safeguarding our precious nature and environment, Beyond Brunel sparks conversations that matter.
So, whether you’re a passionate advocate for infrastructure development, an aspiring engineer, or simply a curious soul eager to comprehend the future that lies ahead, Beyond Brunel has something exceptional in store for you.
Join us as we unlock the mysteries of infrastructure’s role in the net zero ambitions of the South West, and embark on a voyage that promises to inspire, educate, and ignite positive change.
Commissioned and devised by the South West Infrastructure Partnership (SWIP) with funding from the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) South West, Beyond Brunel is presented by Christopher Ackland, a civil engineer at Moffat & Nichol.
Latest episodes
- In this episode of Beyond Brunel, presenter Christopher Ackland is joined by Steve Maslin, Associate, Technical Authority for Inclusive Design, AtkinsRéalis, and Pam Turton, Head of Transport Strategy, Sustainable Communities, Bath & North East Somerset Council, to gain a better understanding of inclusive design and why it should be a fundamental necessity in infrastructure planning. Topics discussed include the difference between inclusivity and accessibility, the importance of co-design through community engagement, and the need to […]
- According to the World Economic Forum, “Hydrogen is the simplest and most abundant element in the universe… And, if generated using renewables, it can be a clean alternative to burning fossil fuels”, so why have we been reluctant to develop and use it as a sustainable energy alternative? In this episode of Beyond Brunel, presenter Christopher Ackland is joined by David Eccles, Director of Hydrogen South West, and Steph Jary, Deputy Director of Western Gateway, […]
- What is the circular economy and how is the South West approaching circularity in order to make strides towards sustainability? In this episode of Beyond Brunel, Christopher Ackland is joined by Hannah Lawrie, Global Practice Director at Ricardo, and Tim Danson, Director of Sustainability and Energy at Pick Everard, to explore the concept of circularity and what it will take to transition from a linear economy to a more regenerative model. Together they discuss what […]
- The South West is home to two UNESCO World Heritage Sites, a UNESCO Geopark, and the first National Marine Park, among many other natural assets, but how do we recognise these assets as critical infrastructure that support the economy, public health, and climate resilience? In this episode of Beyond Brunel, Chris Ackland is joined by Julian Gray, Director of the South West Coast Path Association, and Dr. Catherine Broomfield, Vice Chair of the Trustees at […]
- Electricity demand could quadruple by 2050 to support decarbonization and the South West faces significant challenges – and opportunities – in readying its electricity network for the future. In this episode of Beyond Brunel, host Christopher Ackland, coastal engineer at Moffatt & Nichol and senior vice chair of ICE South West, is joined by Emily Taylor, Strategic Engagement Officer at National Grid, and Mark Holmes, Head of Environmental Partnerships and Climate Change at Cornwall Council, […]
- The Beyond Brunel podcast is back for its third season, and in Episode 1 we ask how does infrastructure directly impact economic growth, particularly in a region like the South West? Civil Engineer & Senior Vice Chair of ICE South West, Christopher Ackland, returns as podcast host and is joined by Jan Ward, Chair of Plymouth and South Devon Freeport, and Dan Pritchard, Founder of Tech South West. They discuss the significant capabilities in the […]
- In S2 Episode 6 of the Beyond Brunel podcast, presenter Chris Ackland poses this challenging question to Peter Radford, Associate Director at Turner & Townsend Infrastructure, and Alicia de Haldevang, Sustainability and Inequalities Consultant at Stantec. Topics they discuss include the role of infrastructure in addressing inequalities, how to measure the impact of infrastructure on areas such as poverty, and whether it’s possible to deliver infrastructure that is both sustainable and equitable. From the South […]
- The South West has 620 miles of motorway and strategic A-roads as well as one of the largest networks in the UK of local roads, many of which are vital to small, rural communities. In this podcast, Christopher Ackland is joined by Richard Stevens, Managing Director, Plymouth CityBus (Go South West), and Jason Humm, Director of Transport and Highways, Gloucestershire County Council, to discuss the challenges of highway maintenance, improving resilience of the roads in […]
- In this podcast, Christopher Ackland is joined by Martin Rule, Lead Adviser, Nature Based Solutions, Environment Agency and Ed Whitelaw, Director of Nature & Neighbourhoods at Real Ideas Organisation to discuss the concept of nature-based solutions and how infrastructure can have a positive impact on nature in the South West. They explore the idea of working with nature rather than against it and highlight examples of projects that benefit both nature and communities. From the […]
- Christopher Ackland is joined by Katie Farrell, Assistant Planner, KierBAM JV, based at Devonport Dockyard in Plymouth and Lou Dawson-Thomas, Head of Apprenticeship Services, AccXel Construction School in Gloucestershire, to discuss how we can engage with young people in the South West and encourage them to choose careers in infrastructure industries. He also asks young engineers and apprentices what infrastructure means to them and how young people can have a bigger voice in shaping the […]
- Are South West ports ready for floating offshore wind? That’s the important question posed in Season 2 Episode 2 of the Beyond Brunel podcast. Captain Richard Allan, Chief Executive and Harbour Master, Port of Plymouth and member of the South West Regional Ports Association, and Matt Hodson, Chief Operations Officer, Celtic Sea Power (based in Cornwall) join Chris Ackland to discuss the readiness of South West ports for floating offshore wind. Among the topics they […]
- Episode 1 of Season 2 features Matt Wheeldon, Director of Infrastructure Development, Wessex Water, and Dave Turner, Coastal Engineer, Moffat & Nicholl, who discuss how the South West can deal with extreme weather outcomes like drought and flooding, avoid environmental issues caused by storm overflows and create more sustainable, nature-based solutions such as rain gardens and green streets. They explore the need for coordinated efforts across various sectors and organisations and how that can be […]
- What challenges and opportunities face the energy sector in the South West as it works towards net zero carbon by 2050? In this episode of Beyond Brunel, Christopher Ackland tackles these tough questions with the assistance of Becky Fowell, Energy Market Analyst at Regen, Linda Irwin, Project Manager at Southwest Net Zero Hub and SWIP Energy Sector advisor, and Peter Kydd, Strategic Advisor to WSP & Immediate Past Chair of SWIP. Topics include the big […]
- The podcast is dedicated to exploring the future of infrastructure in the South West with a view to achieving net zero by 2050. This episode delves into the infrastructure needs and implementation required to achieve these ambitious targets. Presenter Chris Ackland is joined by industry experts from across the region: David Carter, Deputy Director of Economic and Community Infrastructure and Commissioning at Somerset County Council; Miranda Housden, ICE South West Director and Secretary of the […]
- How can the South West achieve its goal of reaching net zero by 2050? What role does sustainable infrastructure play? And what are nature-based solutions? All these questions and more are answered in the third episode of the Beyond Brunel podcast, titled “Climate Change & Net Zero”. In this episode, presenter Chris Ackland is joined by Megan Pearce, Climate Change Consultant at the Met Office, Stephen Beggs, Director at Curtins and ICE South West Carbon […]
- In Episode 2, our panel of experts discuss digital and data infrastructure across the South West and how they can be used to improve the region's connectivity and transition to a net zero future. Presented by civil engineer, Christopher Ackland, and featuring Kate Doodson, Joint Chief Executive and Digital Transformation Consultant at Cosmic UK, Lucy Knight, Data Lead at The Data Place, Katharine Willis, Professor of Smart Cities and Communities at the University of Plymouth, […]
- In Episode 1 of Beyond Brunel, our panel of infrastructure leaders and industry experts from across the South West discuss innovation and productivity and how they can shape the region for the better. They examine what needs to change and how new innovations and ways of thinking can help achieve our 2050 net zero target. Presented by civil engineer, Christopher Ackland, the first episode features Jane Austin, Director of Engineering and Asset Management for the […]