Niall McKay
Chair, BICS Steering CommitteeNiall is a Fellow of the Institution of Civil Engineers. He graduated from Leeds University in 1995 and began work for British Waterways, now Canals and Rivers Trust. He then moved to WS Atkins, now AtkinsRéalis, in 2000. Throughout this time, Niall has worked predominantly on existing infrastructure management, delivering inspections, monitoring, refurbishment and strengthening work on many high-profile structures including the Humber Bridge, Tame Valley Viaduct, Orwell Bridge, amongst others. Niall is currently leading the technical delivery of the Tees Transporter Bridge in Middlesbrough, one of only 2 designated operational bridges of this type in the UK.
Complimenting his role overseeing the technical delivery of O&M work across the international AtkinsRéalis group, Niall has sat on the BICS Steering Committee since its formation in 2014, working alongside key industry partners from National Highways, Transport Scotland, Network Rail, Adept and others. Niall is the current Chair of the Committee.
My Speaker Sessions
Tuesday 24 November 2026
Setting the Benchmark: Bridge Inspector Certification Scheme (BICS) Update
- Established in 2015 to provide a nationally recognised benchmark for bridge inspection competence, helping asset owners, consultants and contractors demonstrate suitably qualified, experienced personnel.
- In 2025, BICS underwent its most significant transformation since inception - a revised certification pathway including a new Associate Bridge Inspector grade, an online knowledge-based assessment, and a streamlined, more accessible evidence portfolio.
- This presentation will provide an update on the implementation of the revised scheme, key changes, lessons learned, and the latest certification statistics and uptake trends since the 2025 relaunch.
