This article was first published in Rail Director in April 2025
Costain has appointed Alistair Geddes as rail sector director. He will support Costain’s strategic focus on growth in strong markets, as well as ensure the business continues to provide predictable, best-in-class delivery to its customers.
What attracted you to the role at Costain?
"I’ve always been impressed with the people at Costain – they have a great reputation for its engineering expertise and building respected, long term relationships with their customers and supply chain partners. Costain is also known for its heritage – it is celebrating its 160th anniversary this year – and a fantastic track record delivering complex rail infrastructure such as the Channel Tunnel and Crossrail. Part of its secret, I think, is to do with its ability to bring the right people to the table early in the engagement and answer customers’ questions with clever solutions. It’s this ‘getting it right first time’ approach to engineering that really fits with my personal values."
"It’s a hugely exciting time to be working in infrastructure. Everywhere you look, in water, energy, road, airports and ports, new and upgraded infrastructure is needed to ensure the UK remains economically prosperous and resilient."
Alistair Geddes Rail sector director, Costain
What are your aims and aspirations?
"It’s a hugely exciting time to be working in infrastructure. Everywhere you look, in water, energy, road, airports and ports, new and upgraded infrastructure is needed to ensure the UK remains economically prosperous and resilient. Rail will be playing a vitally important role in delivering economic growth; I genuinely believe we’re in a golden generation for rail. The UK needs a robust and connected rail network to enable people and materials to move around the country and unlock upgrades across the infrastructure ecosystem. For me, demonstrating how Costain consistently offers value-for-money to its customers through the delivery of predictable, best-in-class rail infrastructure will be hugely important."
What are the biggest challenges facing infrastructure projects and what is going to be the key in overcoming them?
"Improving the UK’s rail infrastructure helps to create a sustainable future that drives economic prosperity and productivity and transforms communities. However, there are challenges that must be overcome, such as growing and changing populations and more extreme weather patterns. Anyone who has been involved in delivering complex transportation projects knows that planning and early contractor involvement is essential for schemes to be delivered on time, on budget and with minimal disruption to operations. Having long-term clarity of the direction of travel and a clear understanding of the goal and agreed outcomes from the start is really important. The Government’s forthcoming 10-year infrastructure strategy should make it easier for different projects to be planned together, with a consistent pipeline of activity that will support jobs, skills and the supply chain. Starting every project with the end in mind helps everyone to focus and pull in the same direction."
Reflecting on your career, you’ve worked on some fascinating projects, from Crossrail and Hinkley Point C Marine, through to the Olympic Stadium transformation – how proud are you of what you have achieved and what have you learnt from being involved in these projects?
"I’m incredibly proud of the projects that I’ve worked on. I use the Elizabeth line every day and seeing other passengers using it acts as a daily reminder of how a complex infrastructure project like that can give people better lives through improved journey times and greater connectivity. It’s something I get a real buzz from. But for me, it’s not just what we do but how we do it that matters. It’s about getting a deep understanding of the outcome, working collaboratively in partnerships to unlock the best solutions for the project to succeed. Engineering is an iterative process, with each version acting as an improvement on the last. I’m passionate about delivering projects efficiently, innovatively and sustainably while maximising value for our customers. It’s about continually improving and challenging ourselves to be better."
"Improving the UK’s rail infrastructure helps to create a sustainable future that drives economic prosperity and productivity and transforms communities."
Alistair Geddes Rail sector director, Costain
Are you optimistic for the future, particularly in light of recent Costain contract wins for HS2?
"We’re in a golden generation for rail and it’s an exciting time to be working in the industry. Costain continues to expand its portfolio of work in rail and recently won two major rail systems contracts with HS2. In addition, we’re providing consulting services, such as being a key partner to protect the rail network from extreme weather, advising on station upgrades and development of local infrastructure plans, and working with Network Rail to improve train safety and performance."
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Contact
Alistair Geddes
Sector director
[email protected]