Ben Williets

Consultant, Assets & Operations, Arup

Consultant in the Advisory Services Portfolio at Arup. His experience has a focus on data analytics with use of decision support and capital investment tools, along with delivery experience on large projects and schemes primarily across highways and retrofit sectors with a range of stakeholders.

My Sessions at Day 1

Wednesday 10 March 2027

12:10

From Inspection to Insight: Building Confidence in Structures Condition Data

12:10 - 12:30

This session tells the story of how National Highways’ structures inspection assurance has grown from a regulatory requirement into a wider journey in asset management and digital maturity. Drawing on years of auditing Principal Inspections, the presenters will share what the audits have revealed, how inspection quality has improved, and the lessons other bridge owners can apply to their own inspection regimes.

  • The journey so far: how inspection assurance has moved from spreadsheet-led audits to the current S30013 programme and digital audit platforms.
  • Why it matters: the role of reliable condition data in structural safety, regulatory assurance, and better asset management and investment decisions.
  • What the audits reveal: common issues found in inspections, how quality has improved over time, and the changes that made the biggest difference.
  • Lessons for other owners: practical takeaways for local authorities and other bridge owners looking to strengthen confidence in their own inspection data.
  • A look ahead: a brief view of how AI-enabled auditing, with human oversight and validation, could improve consistency and scale.

Speakers