People Spotlight: Meet Tony Gibbon
Our People Spotlight series gives you an inside look at our technical experts around the world. This week, we are highlighting a technical director for major projects from our Water and Environment business lines in Manchester, United Kingdom and providing an insight into his inspiration and work.
Tony Gibbon specializes in design and build projects in water supply, wastewater and flood risk reduction. He collaborates with designers across the country, identifying best practices and lessons learned, covering carbon reduction and sustainability as well as buildability and constructability.
Tell us about what inspired you to join the industry.
I started my engineering career as a trainee draughtsperson for a highway authority while studying civil engineering part-time. It was during that role that I developed an interest in the drainage of highways, which led me to work on flood risk reduction projects for local and national government. These early experiences allowed me to develop my skills and knowledge further to take on the design and delivery of water and wastewater projects.
I realized I like engineering solutions to complex problems, like reducing flood risk or mitigating environmental harm sometimes associated with waste and wastewater treatment. I especially enjoyed projects where I used my skill and knowledge to reduce flood risk while also improving public accesses to the restored environment. 39 years later, I’m still thinking about ways to improve people’s lives and the environment.
I especially enjoyed projects where I used my skill and knowledge to reduce flood risk while also improving public accesses to the restored environment.
What is your favorite AECOM project that you’ve worked on and why?
My favourite project with AECOM has been the Major Utilities Diversions for the extension of Euston Station in London, which was part of the High Speed 2 Rail project — one of the largest infrastructure projects in Europe. The project brought together talented engineers from across the United Kingdom and our Enterprise Capabilities team in India to deliver major complex utilities design alongside complex temporary and permanent works for the station.
The innovative and creative way the team addressed the constraints, both physical and programme-related, was my personal highlight. One example of this was a 1000-milimeter drinking water main that needed diverting in two phases through the same location, several months apart. Due to the strategic nature of the water main only one shutdown of the water main was permitted by the water company. Through collaboration with the contractor and the water company, and the utilisation of an innovative cross shaped thrust restraint, designed to work in temporary and permanent instances, the main was diverted in one shutdown. The collaborative culture at AECOM fostered and inspired enhanced teamwork among stakeholders and clients, driving improved outcomes for all parties involved.
The innovative and creative way the team addressed the constraints, both physical and programme-related, was my personal highlight.
Tell us a story of how your work positively impacted the community.
As part of the Major Utilities Diversions for the extension of Euston Station project, the team engaged with stakeholders within the local community to mitigate the impacts of the work, including rescheduling the installation of a new large diameter gas main in a narrow city street to avoid the annual street food festival. This helped sustain the local economy and build further trust with the local community.
Engagement with stakeholders within the local community to mitigate the impacts of the work helped sustain the local economy and build further trust with the community.
Share a piece of career advice.
When chairing or running a meeting, always pay attention to those who are not speaking as they often have a nugget of knowledge or suggestion just waiting to be found. The loudest voice in the room is not the only voice and rarely is it 100 percent of the answer.
We all have a voice and helping people to find that voice and have the encouragement and support to contribute fully is how we find the true value.
Just because I am leading this project, or I am a senior leader, I do not assume I know everything. As engineers we are taught “know what you know, know what you do not know and know to ask.”