The Engineering Construction Industry Training Board (ECITB) has appointed eight new members to form the second generation of its Innov8 Group for early and mid-career professionals.
Facilitated by the ECITB, members of the multi-generational, cross-sector leadership network provide key strategic insight from their unique perspective as professionals within the engineering construction industry (ECI).
As well as offering insights in meetings held at least four times a year, the role of the group includes taking part in events or STEM outreach activities on behalf of the ECITB and the wider industry to help raise awareness of careers in engineering construction.
Members also participate in projects focused on areas including labour market insights, mentoring, attraction and retention, diversity and inclusion, advocacy and industry fore-sighting.
The current, first generation of group members, chaired by Kent plc Structural Engineer Chinwe Odili, will remain on hand for guidance and mentoring as Innov8 alumni.
Meet the new Innov8 members
- Finlay Duthie: Graduate Engineer at STATS Group who completed a degree in mechanical engineering and began his career in the project engineering department.
- Alasdair Steven: Graduate Engineer at NRS Dounreay who completed a chemical engineering degree at the University of Strathclyde, where he was involved in its ambassadorship.
- Sarah Hague: Will finish second year of Graduate Engineer role at Technip FMC at the end of 2025 to become a design engineer. Has a Master’s in mechanical engineering.
- Katie Bennett: Graduate Process Engineer at energy consultancy Xodus Group, where she is the STEM lead for London. Has a Master’s in advanced chemical Engineering.
- John MacGregor: Graduate Engineer at Subsea7 in its structural engineering team developing structural designs. He is working towards IMechE chartership.
- Natalia Bieniewska: Graduate Process Engineer at Xodus Group in its Process and Facilities team. She has a chemical engineering degree from Newcastle University.
- Abishan Ahilan: Structural engineer in Kent plc’s UK engineering consultancy division, where he is STEM coordinator and Graduate Rep. Has a Master’s in mechanical engineering.
- Niall Gibb: Worked in oil and gas for 12 years before completing the wind turbine cross-skill pilot programme in May 2025 and transitioning to the renewables sector. He now works for Vestas gaining authorisation as an Offshore Commissioning Supervisor.
“Since its inception in 2021, input from Innov8 members has helped the ECITB increase the effectiveness of our engagement with industry.
“The group plays an integral role in shaping our careers work, industry training and development.
“By listening to fresh views on engineering construction careers, we can help our industry attract a new generation of engaged, diverse and dynamic engineers to enable the UK engineering construction industry to continue to compete globally.
“I would like to thank the first cohort of the group for their contributions and very much look forward to engaging with Innov8’s new members moving forwards.”
Andrew Hockey
ECITB Chief Executive
Bringing in different voices
The ECI spans sectors that focus on the construction, maintenance and decommissioning of heavy industry, including oil and gas, nuclear, power generation, renewables, chemicals, food and drink, pharmaceuticals, carbon capture and storage, hydrogen and water treatment.
When it was first set up, the ECITB Innov8 Group comprised of individuals from within the ECI who were following a new entrant pathway within their respective organisations and had completed at least one year of workplace development.
To open the group up to different perspectives, the group is now made up of people within the first 15 years of their careers in industry. It now includes someone that has transitioned from oil and gas into wind in Niall and a career returner in Sarah from Technip.
Niall, from Vestas, said: “Since completing the wind turbine technician cross-skill pilot, I feel like I’ve picked up a lot of momentum. I’m enthusiastic about my own development, but also other people’s. I’d welcome the opportunity to mentor folk, talk about my experiences and encourage others looking to enter industry, because I’ve loved the journey.”
Sarah said: “Having previously completed a BSc in Aeronautics, I didn’t come back to engineering until after having my family. I returned to college to study a women in STEM course and discovered I still had a passion for engineering. I completed a Master’s in Mechanical Engineering and joined Technip FMC as a graduate in 2022.
“It’s important to support and nurture developing engineers to reach their potential and to encourage anyone considering an engineering role. There are many possible routes and sometimes it just takes that helping hand to guide you in the right direction. My advice is it’s never too late to get started. Don’t be afraid of starting later as life experience is a valuable and sometimes overlooked asset in the industry.”
Find out more about the eight new members of the ECITB’s Innov8 Group
