Neil Shuttleworth – People Spotlight

“I’ve always been drawn to projects that matter. Whether it’s supporting national energy infrastructure, complex nuclear facilities, defence programmes or everyday buildings like schools and hospitals, engineering is ultimately about solving problems and creating lasting impact.”

How did you get into engineering, and what led you to where you are today?

At school, like many engineers, I found I was good at maths and physics. I enjoyed solving problems with multiple variables and finding practical solutions. Combined with the opportunity to create something tangible and lasting, engineering seemed like the obvious path.

After graduating with a first-class degree in Civil and Structural Engineering, I started my career working on major building projects including hospitals, schools, retail developments and commercial schemes. As my career progressed (and the 2008 recession hit), I became increasingly involved in the energy, nuclear, industrial and defence sectors. The scale, complexity and critical nature of these projects presented unique challenges and demanded a deeper level of engineering competence.

This shifted my role from predominantly designing new structures to assessing existing assets and systems. This type of work relies less on applying prescriptive design standards and more on understanding how structures actually perform, using inspection data, material properties and operational history to make evidence-based decisions. In sectors such as nuclear and defence, where safety, risk and cost must be carefully balanced, this requires a high degree of engineering judgement and has been one of the most rewarding aspects of my career.

While my background is in structural engineering, I enjoy understanding the wider engineering picture. Working closely with civil engineers, geotechnical specialists, contractors and clients has given me a broader perspective that helps me coordinate multidisciplinary teams and identify risks and opportunities early in a project. For example, on several projects I recognised where challenging ground conditions or significant cut-and-fill requirements were likely to affect foundation design, allowing ground investigations and foundation strategies to be reviewed early, helping deliver a better outcome for the client.

Over time, my role has evolved from designer to project manager and now director. However, I still actively undertake technical work, which is something we value at Link. Earlier in my career, I was told I would eventually have to choose between a technical or management path, but I have found that combining both has been a real strength. It allows me to support and challenge our teams where needed, and communicate technical issues in a clear, practical way for clients.

In many ways, that balance of technical excellence, leadership and client focus is what attracted me to Link. The opportunity to establish and grow our Manchester team from scratch was a challenge I was excited to take on. It hasn’t always been easy, but I’m proud of the team we’ve built, the projects we’re delivering and the opportunities we’re creating for the future.

Is there a project you’re particularly proud of?

My involvement began with assessing the existing structure and developing a safe demolition sequence. As the project progressed, my responsibilities grew from Lead Engineer to Design Consultant’s Project Manager, overseeing both the technical delivery and broader project requirements. When I joined the project, the proposed approach involved strengthening the diffuser before demolition could begin. Through detailed analysis and structural assessment, I proved that the diffuser could be dismantled safely without strengthening works, which saved time and cost and avoided putting people at risk.

One of the most technically demanding aspects of the project was showing that the structure could safely support a tied tower crane. This required a level of engineering judgement that extended well beyond conventional code-based design and drew heavily on my experience in assessing existing structures.

What makes this project particularly memorable is the impact it delivered. We developed a safer, more efficient solution for a nationally important programme – something very few engineers get to be a part of during their careers.

Supporting Critical Infrastructure

Alongside my nuclear experience, I’ve led multidisciplinary teams across the energy and industrial sectors, including National Grid facilities and electrical substations that form part of the UK’s critical national infrastructure. Much of this work involved upgrading existing assets and enhancing site security under demanding programmes needed to prepare for the 2012 Olympic Games.

I’ve also been fortunate to contribute to a number of defence programmes. While these projects are often confidential, they share many of the characteristics that define work in the nuclear sector: complex stakeholder environments, stringent safety and assurance requirements, and the need to make robust engineering decisions where risk, operational requirements and programme constraints must all be carefully balanced.

On one defence project, I was involved from the outset as Structural Lead, working closely with safety case managers and other disciplines to evaluate alternative structural solutions as the design developed. The role required more than simply designing a structure; it involved understanding the wider objectives of the facility, challenging assumptions and helping the wider team navigate emerging requirements as the project evolved.

How do you see the industry changing in the years ahead?

The energy, defence and nuclear sectors are entering a period of significant investment and transformation. We’re seeing renewed momentum behind nuclear power through projects such as Hinkley Point C, Sizewell C and the development of Small Modular Reactors, alongside investment in renewable energy and the electricity network needed to support it. Defence spending is also increasing significantly, though the debate around how it will be funded continues. Either way, there is clearly a growing need for engineering expertise to support the delivery, renewal and long-term operation of critical infrastructure.

While this demand spans both new-build projects and existing infrastructure, many organisations are looking at how assets can be adapted, upgraded and have their operational life extended. This is often driven by programme timescales, capital constraints and the desire to reduce embodied carbon, making asset assessment and life extension an increasingly important part of the engineering landscape.

Digital tools and emerging technologies are becoming increasingly important, but engineering judgement remains fundamental. In my experience, some of the greatest value engineers provide comes from identifying risks, opportunities and project constraints early, by drawing on their knowledge and experience before detailed design begins. That insight helps clients make informed decisions, avoid unnecessary cost and move projects forward with confidence.

I also see a growing need for engineers who can bridge disciplinary boundaries. As projects become larger and more complex, successful delivery depends on identifying interface issues and dependencies in the early stages. In many cases, it is at the overlap between disciplines where the greatest opportunities, and the greatest challenges, are found.

One of the best pieces of advice I could give is never be embarrassed to ask questions or pretend to know something that you don’t. Nobody knows everything and sometimes the simplest questions prevent issues manifesting themselves later in projects.

Engineering is a continual learning process regardless of how much experience you have. There is always something new to learn from colleagues, clients and projects, and it is not all top down! Get outside your comfort zone – that’s where the growth happens.

What do you get up to outside of work?

Outside work my wife and two young children keep me busy and provide a welcome balance to the demands of my career. I love watching my kids’ personalities and interests develop.

I enjoy staying active, spending time outdoors and following the mighty BWFC and F1. I also like to DIY, which is probably not surprising given my profession. We have been renovating our house for the past couple of years, and I’ve enjoyed doing parts of it myself – though I am ready for it to end now!

What excites you most about the future?

The UK is entering an exciting period of investment across energy, defence and critical infrastructure. Having spent much of my career working in these sectors, I’m excited by the challenges and opportunities ahead. We have a hugely talented team, and I’m looking forward to building on what we’ve achieved so far as we continue to grow our Manchester office, developing the next generation of engineers and helping our clients deliver nationally significant projects.

Whether you’re looking to join our team or are seeking support on your next project, I’d be delighted to have a conversation. Please don’t hesitate to drop me an email at neil.shuttleworth@linkeng.co.uk, call 0121 716 0100, or connect on LinkedIn.