New chair to lead GIRI Technology Working Group

We are pleased to announce that John Priestland has been appointed chair of the GIRI Technology Working Group. John is a Chartered Physicist and a Fellow of the Institution of Civil Engineers and was formerly global strategy director at WSP. He led the development of the GIRI report on the use of technology to reduce errors in design and construction, which was launched in October 2023, and he looks forward to building on this work in his new role.

In 2018, John founded a specialist management consultancy focusing on construction technology and digital transformation for the built environment and his clients include National Highways, HS2, Anglian Water, Northumbrian Water, Kier, Balfour Beatty and Atkins. In 2019, he set up the C-Tech Club, a not-for-profit global community that has grown into a network of more than 400 founders and CEOs of construction technology start-ups from 30 countries. This is believed to be the largest network of independent innovators in construction. 

It is John’s intention that the reconstituted TWG will bring asset owners, contractors and consultants together with technology providers (including start-ups) to look at the key challenges in quality management and how technology can be part of the solution. He will take a dynamic approach, looking for opportunities to trial, develop and prove that technology can make a difference, embracing the GIRI commitment to collaboration. The TWG will share lessons learnt and best practice and will feed this experience into a revised technology report this autumn.

If you're interested in finding out more about the Technology Working Group, please contact admin@getitright.uk.com