Mark Toye’s Insightful Contribution at GE Piling & Foundations Conference 2024

May 1, 2024

On 23^rd April 2024, the GE Piling & Foundations Conference convened at the America Square Conference Centre in London, gathering industry leaders to delve into pressing challenges and emerging trends in foundation engineering. With a strong emphasis on sustainability, the event featured a rich program of keynotes, panel discussions, and technical showcases.

Mark Toye, the incoming Chair of the British Drilling Association (BDA), along with other industry experts, participated in a panel discussion, titled: “Sustainability – Breaking Down the Industry Barriers to Drive Forward More Holistic, Efficient, and Collaborative Practices”. This session addressed the need for innovative approaches in the sector, highlighting sustainable practices and collaborative efforts as pivotal elements for future advancements.

Mark shared the BDA’s perspective on overcoming industry barriers to sustainability, emphasising holistic and efficient practices. His expertise in sustainable drilling practices and his role in spearheading sustainability initiatives within the BDA brought a valuable viewpoint to the discussion, resonating well with the conference’s focus on technological and methodological advancements to enhance foundation engineering.

During the discussion, Mark highlighted the Geotechnical Industry’s (GI) potential to reduce environmental impacts through innovative approaches such as adopting Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) to replace diesel and exploring alternative sample containers to cut single-use plastics. He also emphasised the value of the AGS (Association of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Specialists) data system. Sharing this data with institutions like the British Geological Survey (BGS) minimises redundancy in site investigations and enables more targeted geotechnical initiatives, significantly contributing to the industry’s sustainability.

The conference successfully highlighted the intersection of industry knowledge and sustainability, with Mark’s participation underscoring the ongoing efforts to integrate environmentally conscious practices within the geotechnical sector. His contributions not only enriched the dialogue but also positioned the BDA as a key player in shaping the industry’s sustainable future.

The event solidified its status as an essential gathering for professionals seeking to keep pace with the latest innovations and best practices in the piling and foundations industry.