AT chats to…Claire Gott from WSP about pushing the boundaries of innovation, nurturing the talent pipeline and looking for learning opportunities in Milan.

What brings you to BCO Conference / What do you hope to achieve?
The BCO Conference is a great opportunity to reconnect with peers and clients, challenge assumptions, and explore how we can design and deliver better workplaces. I’m particularly interested in how we push the boundaries of innovation — from materials and sustainability to delivery models — and what that means for the future of commercial developments.

What are you working on at the moment?
I lead a 500-strong structures team at WSP across the UK, and we’re working on some fantastic projects right now — from 1 Undershaft in the City of London, which is set to be one of the tallest buildings in the UK, to the Ellison Institute of Technology in Oxford, which aims to solve some of humanity’s most enduring challenges. A lot of our focus is on modern methods of construction and a ‘kit of parts’ approach to drive better quality and quicker delivery.

What stops you from doing the work you want to do?
Sometimes the biggest barrier is our own industry’s reluctance to change. We talk about collaboration and innovation, but the delivery model still tends to encourage siloed working. I’d love to see more openness to true partnerships and risk-sharing across the supply chain — because that’s how we unlock better outcomes. We have a timely opportunity to learn from other sectors like Energy and the Great Grid Upgrade enterprise model.

What sets the BCO Conference apart from other high-profile gatherings in the industry calendar?
It’s the right balance of big-picture thinking and practical insight. The BCO brings together a community that genuinely cares about how people experience space — it’s not just about design and engineering, but about how those things shape culture, wellbeing, and productivity. There’s also a good level of honesty here — people come ready to listen, share, and challenge the status quo.

What do you make of the choice to hold this year’s conference in Milan?
It’s a great choice. Milan’s architectural identity is a fascinating mix of heritage and innovation — you can’t help but be inspired. In recent years the city has seen a period of significant urban regeneration, retrofit and adaptive reuse of its heritage assets. Take the iconic Bosco Verticale residential towers, whose exterior is covered in plants reminiscent of traditional ivy-covered Italian buildings. These structures offer huge learning opportunities for those of us all around the world to apply to our designs. And being slightly outside the UK also helps us look at things with fresh eyes. It encourages different conversations, new ideas, and a sense of shared opportunity.

What gets you out of bed in the morning?
Knowing that the work we do has the potential to shape communities and improve lives. I’ve always been driven by impact — whether that’s mentoring younger engineers, delivering sustainable buildings, or finding better ways to collaborate with clients. I also love being part of a team that’s constantly raising the bar.

And what keeps you awake at night?
I often think about the talent pipeline — how we attract, support, and retain brilliant people, especially women and those from underrepresented backgrounds. We’ve made progress, but there’s still work to do around flexibility, support, and career progression. The future of our sector depends on systems thinkers who can collaborate across disciplines and embrace digital tools to design for both communities and the environment. At WSP, we’re proud to call ourselves Visioneers, united by a shared purpose. But I do worry about the growing skills gap. As an industry, we must not only attract the right talent but also nurture and empower them to thrive.

I’m also increasingly focused on how we transition to net zero in a way that’s both equitable and scalable. Cities like Milan, with their bold regeneration schemes, offer inspiring examples — and I’m hopeful that we can turn our conversations this week into meaningful action.

Claire Gott is UK Head of Building Structures at WSP.