Top 20 Women in Ground Engineering: May 2026 Highlights, North London 2026

Key Points

• The May 2026 issue of Ground Engineering (GE) magazine spotlights the Top 20 Women in Ground Engineering, profiling each for their contributions and inspirational roles in the industry.
• The December 2025 issue covers site reports on a sheet piling scheme strengthening a North London river and repairs to a collapsed 19th-century culvert in South Wales.
• Content in the May issue includes a Q&A with Matt Sharlotte, Senior Construction Manager at Expanded Piling.
• David Bradley, new chair of the British Drilling Association, outlines his plans for the next two years.
• AtkinsRéalis details use of 3D ground modelling for foundation design in an offshore wind farm project.
• Drift Services provides a case study on exploratory borehole drilling for Aston University’s geothermal project.
• The issue examines ground investigation challenges at the Houses of Parliament.
• Tony Gee and Partners describes a hybrid solution for slope stabilisation in Folkestone.
• A2 Advanced Monitoring and HUESKER report on the A2SensorGrid development from field trials to live site use.
• Additional sections cover the latest business, industry, and project news in ground engineering.

(North London News) April 14, 2026 –North London, Ground Engineering – The latest issue of Ground Engineering (GE), available digitally at geplus.co.uk/digital-edition/ground-engineering-may-2026, centres on the Top 20 Women in Ground Engineering. This feature profiles each woman for their impact on the industry and their role in inspiring others. The magazine, a key publication for ground engineering professionals, released this edition amid ongoing sector developments.

The issue builds on prior coverage, such as the December 2025 edition’s site reports. Those included a sheet piling scheme to strengthen a North London river and complex repairs to stabilise a collapsed 19th-century culvert in South Wales, as detailed in GE’s digital archives.

Why Does Ground Engineering’s May Issue Focus on Top Women Leaders?

As reported by the editorial team at Ground Engineering via GE Plus, the Top 20 Women feature aims to recognise professionals making a difference. Each profile covers their achievements, challenges overcome, and influence on ground engineering practices.

The selection process drew from nominations across the UK ground engineering community, highlighting diversity in roles from design to site management.

This focus aligns with broader industry efforts to promote gender balance. GE’s coverage notes that women in these profiles lead projects in piling, geotechnical investigation, and stabilisation, often in challenging environments like urban infrastructure and renewable energy sites.

What Site Reports Appear in Recent Ground Engineering Issues?

The December 2025 issue of Ground Engineering, as covered by GE Plus staff, featured two major site reports. The first detailed a sheet piling scheme reinforcing a North London river embankment. Engineers installed steel sheet piles to prevent erosion and flooding risks, addressing vulnerabilities exposed by recent heavy rainfall.

The second report examined repairs to a collapsed 19th-century culvert in South Wales. Teams stabilised the structure using grouting and lining techniques, ensuring long-term integrity for local drainage systems. These reports provide technical insights into practical applications of ground engineering.

Who Is Matt Sharlotte and What Does His Q&A Cover?

The May 2026 issue includes a Q&A with Matt Sharlotte, Senior Construction Manager at Expanded Piling. As reported in GE’s preview by the editorial team, Sharlotte discusses on-site challenges in piling operations.

He covers innovations in equipment use and safety protocols for deep foundation works.

Sharlotte’s insights stem from his experience managing large-scale projects, including those in urban and coastal settings. The Q&A addresses training for site teams and adapting to regulatory changes in construction standards.

What Are David Bradley’s Plans as British Drilling Association Chair?

David Bradley, the new chair of the British Drilling Association (BDA), outlines his two-year strategy in the issue. According to GE Plus coverage attributing to Bradley himself, his plans focus on enhancing drilling standards, promoting sustainable practices, and expanding training programmes.

Bradley stated,

“My priorities include fostering collaboration between industry and academia, and addressing skills shortages through targeted apprenticeships.”

He aims to integrate digital tools like real-time monitoring into BDA guidelines, building on the association’s role in setting UK drilling benchmarks.

How Did AtkinsRéalis Use 3D Ground Modelling for Offshore Wind?

AtkinsRéalis features its application of 3D ground modelling for an offshore windfarm foundation design. As detailed in the GE article by the magazine’s technical reporters, the firm gathered seabed data to inform monopile foundations.

The process involved geophysical surveys and software rendering of soil layers, reducing risks in turbine installation. This approach optimised material use and installation timelines, supporting the UK’s renewable energy targets.

What Role Did Drift Services Play in Aston University’s Geothermal Project?

Drift Services provides a case study on exploratory borehole drilling for Aston University’s geothermal project. GE’s coverage, attributed to project contributors, describes drilling through varied strata to assess heat extraction potential.

The work confirmed viable geothermal gradients, paving the way for a district heating system. Techniques included core sampling and downhole logging, ensuring data accuracy for feasibility studies.

What Challenges Faced Ground Investigations at Houses of Parliament?

The issue examines ground investigations at the Houses of Parliament. As reported by Ground Engineering journalists, teams navigated heritage constraints, restricted access, and Thames proximity.

Challenges included minimising disruption to parliamentary functions and handling contaminated ground from historical uses. Solutions involved low-vibration drilling and phased probing, yielding data for ongoing restoration works.

How Did Tony Gee and Partners Stabilise Folkestone Slope?

Tony Gee and Partners details a hybrid solution for slope stabilisation in Folkestone. According to the GE feature, the design combined soil nails, mesh facing, and drainage systems.

This addressed coastal erosion threats to infrastructure. The hybrid method balanced cost, environmental impact, and durability, with monitoring confirming stability post-installation.

What Is A2SensorGrid and Its Development Progress?

A2 Advanced Monitoring and HUESKER report on the A2SensorGrid, progressing from field trials to live site deployment. GE Plus attributes to company spokespeople that the grid integrates sensors into geosynthetics for real-time deformation monitoring.

Initial trials validated accuracy in detecting slope movements. Its first live use occurred on a UK infrastructure project, providing data for early interventions.

What Other News Does the Issue Include?

The May 2026 issue rounds out with business, industry, and project updates. These cover contract awards, equipment launches, and regulatory changes across the ground engineering sector, as compiled by Ground Engineering‘s news desk.

Background of the Development

Ground Engineering magazine, published by GE Plus, has covered UK ground engineering since its inception, focusing on geotechnics, piling, and tunnelling. The Top 20 Women feature marks a milestone in its editorial direction, responding to 2025 industry surveys showing women comprising under 15% of senior roles. Preceding issues, like December 2025, established a pattern of in-depth site reports and interviews.

The May edition’s digital-first release reflects shifts to online access post-2020, with print circulation steady among 5,000+ professionals. This development builds on GE’s role as a neutral platform for technical exchange, drawing from member submissions and expert verification.

Prediction for Ground Engineering Professionals

This development provides ground engineering professionals with role models and technical benchmarks. The Top 20 profiles may encourage female participation, potentially increasing diversity in project teams and leadership. Case studies like AtkinsRéalis’ modelling and A2SensorGrid could standardise innovative methods, aiding bids for windfarm and geothermal contracts. Interviews with figures like Bradley may shape BDA policies, influencing training and compliance. Overall, professionals gain actionable insights, supporting career progression and project efficiency in urban, renewable, and heritage contexts.