Andrew Jackson

I aspired to being a design engineer from a young age and, after completing a masters degree in mechanical engineering at the University of Sheffield, I immediately began working in consultancy in 2005, becoming a chartered engineer in 2011. In my career I have led multi-disciplinary engineering teams on complex projects across all major construction sector in the UK, Europe, Asia, Russia, North America and the Middle East. Consequently, I have developed a strong interest in climate adaptation and resilience in the built environment.

I am passionate about creating better buildings and I believe this is best achieved through an integrated approach to design, with active and open collaboration between key stakeholders early in the design evolution process. One of the things that continues to motivate me in this industry is the opportunity to work with others to create something tangible which can touch the lives of many people.

The use of advanced analytical tools to inform design decisions and optimisation is central to delivering net zero. I have often found that the youngest team members are those who pioneer and embrace new digital techniques, so it is essential to continually attract the best talent to the industry to drive innovation. Having previously been a visiting professor of Sustainable Building Design at the University of Sheffield and a STEM ambassador, I advocate strongly for both STEM education and sustainability in the built environment.