Celebrating two years of technical excellence at Keyline
Keyline is committed to finding better ways to support our industry – and two years ago, we took a significant step forward with the launch of our technical team.
From the outset, our goal was clear: to develop closer partnerships with our customers, helping us collectively work smarter, more collaboratively, and sustainably.
To do this, we needed the technical expertise to provide expert guidance and support from the earliest stages of projects – finding the right products first time. Our technical team helps customers take a proactive approach to design and specification, overcome challenges, and drive forward innovation with product-based solutions.
To celebrate two years of technical excellence, we want to reflect on some of our success stories and welcome new members to the team.
A trusted technical partner
Our technical team offers a free, non-obligatory optioneering service; we work with customers from the earliest stages of a project to help identify potential challenges and provide practical, commercially viable solutions.
This value-added approach has helped Keyline contribute to several major infrastructure projects. The team supported contractor Align JV with a complex drainage detail on HS2’s Colne Valley Viaduct – the largest railway bridge in the UK. Working closely with the contractor and manufacturer, Ibstock - Anderton Concrete, to deliver a cost-effective and flexible bespoke precast concrete system tailored to the project's specific needs.
For the Sheffield Grey to Green initiative, the technical team were able to assist John Sisk and Son with a project to rejuvenate the city centre. The design required 2,500m2 of sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) – Keyline helped procure materials for a revised design of the check dams for the SuDS.
With the team’s extensive product knowledge and industry expertise, Keyline is even better placed to identify and recommend the right solution to meet the project requirements, and select suppliers with differential benefits. Through closer collaboration, the team adds real value to projects – by working together, we can push the construction industry forward.
Supporting sustainability goals
Over the past two years, the technical team has worked hard to put Keyline in a better position to support your sustainability goals.
Thanks to the team’s efforts, we are the first civils merchant to achieve PAS 2080:2023 Carbon Management in Infrastructure and Built Environment. This global standard, focused on carbon management throughout project lifecycles, provides concrete assurance that we are both aligned with – and actively contributing to – a lower-carbon future. The transparency encouraged by the certification and the consistent, standardised approach to carbon data make working together to improve sustainability much simpler.
Our sustainability focus goes beyond looking internally; however, last year, the team led a campaign addressing the critical issue of road runoff pollution. We aimed to raise awareness of the scale of the problem, engaging industry leaders and subject matter experts in a roundtable event and creating a comprehensive whitepaper to help educate the industry. We continue to address the issue with a dedicated steering group.
Developing technical expertise
We have integrated our technical team with the wider business, sharing expertise to better support our customers. The technical team has delivered in-person workshops and product training to our sales teams nationwide so that our customers benefit from consistent, informed advice across all points of contact.
An update on the team
Jon Fawcett and Ryan Dickinson have settled brilliantly into the team, helping us continue to provide the highest level of support to customers.
Jon joined the team as Technical Manager for Drainage in 2024, bringing extensive experience from his previous role as Regional Drainage Engineer at Marshalls PLC. He has a strong understanding of industry standards and excels in providing in-depth technical support on projects requiring a drainage element. With experience designing over 150 drainage projects, he is a trusted technical authority for both clients and colleagues.
Ryan, started his role of Technical Manager for Civils in April 2025, bringing seven years of hands-on experience in the design and implementation of geotechnical, structural, and temporary works schemes for tier one contractors. His work spans a wide range of nationally significant infrastructure projects, including schemes aligned to National Highways, Network Rail, the London Underground, and HS2.
We’re excited for this next phase for the technical team, and the new expertise and experience Jon and Ryan will bring.
Looking ahead
Jon and Ryan are set to continue the excellent work of the Technical Team, as Technical Director George Woollard prepares to leave the business to take on a new challenge.
Reflecting on the team’s journey, Technical Director George Woollard commented, “We set out to create a service that would offer strategic value to customers from day one – and that’s exactly what we’ve done. I’m proud of how far we’ve come in two years. As I leave to take on a new challenge, the Technical Team is well-positioned with Jon and Ryan to build on that foundation and keep improving the way Keyline supports customers.”
We’re grateful for the fantastic groundwork George has laid for the Technical Team, and wish him well for the future.
As we look ahead, the focus remains clear: providing smart, forward-thinking solutions, sharing knowledge, and continuing to support customers with trusted partnerships.
To find out more about how we can support your goals, and start Breaking New Ground with Big Conversations, click here.