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 share insights from their perspective as professionals within the engineering construction industry.
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 foresighting.
The current, first generation of group members – chaired by Kent structural engineer, Chinwe Odili – will continue to provide guidance and mentoring as Innov8 alumni.
The new Innov8 members are:
- 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, who will finish the second year of her graduate engineer role at Technip FMC at the end of 2025 to become a design engineer. Hague 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. Bennett has a master’s in advanced chemical engineering.
- John MacGregor, graduate engineer at Subsea7 in its structural engineering team developing structural designs. MacGregor is working towards IMechE chartership.
- Natalia Bieniewska, graduate process engineer at Xodus Group in its process and facilities team. Bieniewska has a chemical engineering degree from Newcastle University.
- Abishan Ahilan, structural engineer in Kent’s UK engineering consultancy division, where he is STEM coordinator and graduate rep. Ahilan has a master’s in mechanical engineering.
- Niall Gibb, who 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. Gibb now works for Vestas, gaining authorisation as an offshore commissioning supervisor.
Commenting on the appointments, Andrew Hockey, ECITB chief executive, said: “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.”
