May 2026
In this episode we dive into the infrastructure sector’s journey towards digitisation, decarbonisation and modernisation – a journey which to be honest, seems like one that we have been on for some time.
To do this, my guest is Mark Coates, Vice President of Infrastructure Policy Advancement at software giant Bentley Systems and the guiding mind behind TIP, the Transforming Infrastructure Performance global Summit initiative, the latest iteration of which was held last month in Melbourne.
Full disclosure – from the earliest days TIP back in 2022, I have been working with Mark to deliver the summits – in London, Manchester, Singapore, Toronto, New York and, as I say, most recently Melbourne. And it’s fair to say that, throughout this global journey, we have seen many common failings across the delivery chain but also, thankfully, identified a huge number of positive lessons to be shared.
One thing that is clear is that “business as usual”, the “old way” of delivering projects – siloed data, stagnant productivity, and resource-heavy construction – is broken.
March 2026
Are you interested in how to address climate change’s effects in cities? What do you think is the root cause of current problems? How can we implement a simple understanding in our seemingly complex systems?
This episode is a panel discussion about climate change vs cities. The panellists, Hudson Worsley, Matt Gijselman and Allan Savory talk about their vision for the future of cities, agriculture, the root causes, urban management, and many more.
Hudson Worsley is the co-founder and director of Presync, a certified B Corp sustainability consultancy, and Chair of MECLA, the Materials & Embodied Carbon Leaders’ Alliance. He helps organisations transition to a zero-carbon economy and adapt to climate change. Hudson identifies opportunities for energy efficiency, on-site renewables, and renewable power purchase agreements. With Presync’s integrated approach and many years of experience, the small, nimble team draws on deep expertise in energy, innovation, property development, emissions reduction, and climate change….
Dec 2025
The infrastructure sector is adopting AI with enthusiasm. A new whitepaper from Bentley Systems, Pinsent Masons, Turner & Townsend, and Mott MacDonald, The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on the Built Environment, surveyed the sector, and found the 48% of the infrastructure companies they spoke to were trialling AI, or had already implemented it. But only one fifth had a comprehensive AI policy, more than a third had no organisational policy, and 37% had only limited project controls, or none at all.
Dec 2025
AI takes up a lot of oxygen in the room right now.
But when it comes to specific impacts, do we have a strong industry-wide understanding? Does anyone know?
Mark Coates, vice president of the Infrastructure Policy Advancement team at Bentley Systems, set about finding out. His group helped lead a global study to better understand the topic, looking at AI in three main areas: readiness, risk, and returns.
In episode 183 of ASCE Plot Points, Coates discusses the survey and what the results suggest about the future of the industry.
Dec 2025
Industry leaders reveal how AI is transforming infrastructure projects. Learn how firms use generative AI for design optimization, workflow automation, and workforce learning. Discover practical implementation strategies to turn AI into competitive advantage.
Mark Coates is Bentley’s Vice President of Infrastructure Policy Advancement, where he helps to inform and guide government, policymakers, business leaders, and decision-makers globally on the benefits of digital transformation. A former quantity surveyor with vast experience in worldwide project execution, Mark began working in the construction industry over 35 years ago.
Aug 2025
edie’s Sustainability Uncovered podcast returns for July 2025, with two new and exclusive interviews with sustainability leaders at SMEs, plus a recap on a whirlwind month of energy and environmental policymaking for the UK.
July 2025
“We’ve got to start making projects shovel-worthy, not shovel-ready.”
Are you interested in digital transformation? What do you think about the phrase: “we’ve got to start making projects shovel-worthy instead of shovel-ready”? How can we find and create the magic we’re looking for in the work we’re avoiding?
A regular podcast series which features conversations with some of the key leaders and influencers from across UK infrastructure sector.
The series is produced and hosted by infrastructure journalist and commentator Antony Oliver.
The aim is to introduce the people behind the most interesting job titles and projects across infrastructure and to help spread best practice and learning throughout the sector.
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