Our Team

Meet the experienced professionals who drive our success and deliver exceptional results for our clients

Our team brings deep technical knowledge and strategic planning expertise to support seamless delivery of rail, infrastructure, and energy projects.

Fin Burke

Director

Fin is Co-Founder and Director of Axial, with over 25 years of experience in the rail industry spanning planning, programme management, and work winning. He has held senior leadership roles delivering complex, multi-disciplinary infrastructure tenders and projects and establishing high-performing planning teams. At Axial, Fin leads business growth and innovation, ensuring the delivery of effective, value-driven solutions for clients.

Tony Bullivant

Director

Tony is Co-Founder and Director of Axial with over 25 years of experience in the rail industry spanning site delivery, planning, programme management, and project integration. He began his career in track renewals before progressing into delivery management and senior planning roles on complex multidisciplinary rail projects, supporting schemes from development through to delivery and handback. Tony is experienced in programme integration and developing practical planning and reporting solutions to support effective project delivery.

Paul Pendle

Associate Director
Operations

Paul is an experienced Planning Manager with thirteen years in the rail industry, leading planning teams and managing project schedules across Network Rail (NR) and NEC contracts. He oversees the full project lifecycle from Concept and Design through Installation, Testing, and Commissioning across track, signalling, and ancillary civil disciplines. Paul is a qualified forensic delay analyst, providing analysis to support project delivery and dispute resolution.

Sam Stevenson

Associate Director
Planning

Sam is an experienced Planning Lead with twelve years experience delivering complex, multidisciplinary projects across M&E, civil engineering, and railway sectors. He specialises in programme management, risk and delay mitigation, and forensic planning, and is a qualified Expert Witness in forensic delay analysis with strong contractual and stakeholder management expertise. Sam is an expert in planning and scheduling software, including Primavera P6, Tilos, Synchro, and Microsoft Project.

Stuart McGurk

Associate Director
Data and Systems

Stuart is an experienced Power BI specialist with a strong background in transforming complex rail and construction data into clear, actionable insights. With over twenty years of management and stakeholder engagement experience, he has delivered dashboards across rail, energy, civils, and infrastructure programmes. At Axial, Stuart leads the development of data and reporting systems that improve visibility, support decision-making, and enhance programme performance.

Robert Steventon

Associate Director
Development & Efficiency

Robert is a leader with extensive experience in operational excellence and organisational capability, delivering process improvement, high-performance development, and people-focused leadership. He has a proven track record of building effective teams and driving continuous improvement across complex environments. Alongside this, he also works as a Planning Consultant, specialising in programme development and multidisciplinary project coordination across major design, construction, and delivery projects.

Natalie Cain

Project Controls Lead | Forensic Delay Analyst

Natalie is a Project Controls Lead and Forensic Delay Analyst with over 26 years’ experience delivering major rail and energy infrastructure projects. She specialises in project controls assurance, including programme governance, progress measurement, and change management across complex programmes. As a qualified forensic delay analyst, Natalie provides expert delay analysis and critical path assessment to support prolongation claims and dispute resolution, helping projects stay on track and mitigate risk.

Callum Wood

Senior Planning Consultant

Callum is a Senior Planning Consultant with over ten years’ experience supporting rail infrastructure projects, combining strong site knowledge with planning expertise. He works closely with stakeholders to develop and manage NEC and major project programmes, deliver clear reporting solutions, and support wider client business requirements. Callum is skilled in Primavera P6, NEC contracts, Microsoft Project, Excel, CEMAR, and Asite.

Jacqueline Midwinter

Senior Planning Consultant

Jacqueline is a Senior Planning Consultant with ten years of experience across contractor and client-side roles, managing the full project lifecycle. She specialises in rail planning, with skills in programme development, contract management, change control, project controls, and stakeholder engagement. Jacqueline has experience across multidisciplinary design and construction projects, and is skilled in Primavera P6, Deltek Acumen Fuse, Primavera Risk Analysis, Excel, Power BI, CEMAR, and NEC3/NEC4 contracts.

Scott Walker

Integration Manager

Scott is an experienced Integration Manager specialising in major rail infrastructure projects, with over fourteen years in the rail industry. He brings a strong background in site delivery, access strategy, and team leadership to complex, high-pressure environments. Scott leads multi-disciplinary planning for major enhancement schemes and joint-venture projects, including signalling, civils, and possession planning, and is skilled in Primavera P6, Microsoft Office Suite, PPS, and NROL.

Toni Halpin

Planning Consultant

Toni is a Project Planner with experience across civils, rail, highways, and energy infrastructure. She develops first-principles programmes using Primavera P6, manages project monitoring and reporting, and provides clear critical path and risk analysis to support informed decision-making throughout the project lifecycle. Toni has expertise in NEC contract processes, including Compensation Event tracking, and is highly skilled in planning software including Primavera P6, Asta Powerproject, and Microsoft Project.

Rebecca Collinson

Planning Consultant

Rebecca is an experienced Project Planner within the rail industry, with six years of experience delivering complex signalling and multidisciplinary projects. She works collaboratively with project and commercial teams to develop and manage integrated programmes, ensuring effective baseline control, performance reporting, and programme assurance. Rebecca has a strong understanding of contractual obligations and project controls, and she provides reliable analysis and insight using Primavera P6 and Excel.

Kerrie-Ann Knowles

Planning Consultant

Kerrie-Ann is an experienced Planner with a strong background in highways and infrastructure projects. She demonstrates expertise in programme development, NEC3/NEC4 contracts, and Primavera P6 planning, and is highly skilled in supporting multidisciplinary project teams. Known for her analytical thinking and collaborative approach, Kerrie-Ann delivers accurate, contract-compliant project programmes across client–contractor environments.

Kieran Smith

Planning Consultant

Kieran is a Planning Consultant with eight years of experience in the rail and construction industries. He supports projects through programme development, schedule updates, and reporting, with previous roles spanning commercial and integration functions. Kieran’s strengths lie in construction planning and coordination on major projects. He works closely with project teams and stakeholders to streamline processes, improve programme accuracy, and ensure successful delivery of complex infrastructure projects.

Phil Ward

Planning Consultant

Phil has thirty years of rail industry experience, including twenty years in possession management, and has worked on projects such as NWEP, HS2, TRU East, West Coast Re-Signalling, Hitchin Viaduct, AZUMA, Healy Mills Re-Signalling, Manchester Tram, and Sheffield Tram. He has expertise across signalling, track, OHL, E&P, LSC, civils, and telecoms, and is skilled in planning software including Primavera P6, Microsoft Project, PPS, Power BI, OnTrac, and NROL.

Vicky King

Planning Consultant

Vicky is a Planning Consultant with experience in rail infrastructure projects. She supports programme development, schedule updates, and reporting for project teams and senior leadership, ensuring accurate and timely information for decision-making. She has experience across track renewals and ancillary civils, from design through to construction, and is skilled in Primavera P6, Excel, and NEC contracts.

Emma Sunderland

Planning Consultant

Emma is a Planning Consultant with two years of experience delivering detailed project schedules across the oil and gas sector and the rail industry. She is experienced in Primavera P6, building and maintaining structured programmes including activity management, coding, resources, quantities, and cost tracking. Emma has strengths in critical path analysis, risk identification, and stakeholder communication, supporting effective project delivery.

Mathew Bateman

Reporting Analyst

Mathew is a Reporting Analyst with experience designing, building, and operating business systems across HR, reporting, and operational functions. He owns full-stack development, infrastructure, and data integration, translating organisational needs into scalable, reliable solutions. Mathew has end-to-end responsibility for platform design, delivery, and ongoing operation, and is skilled in Python, Django, PostgreSQL, Docker, Microsoft 365, Azure Active Directory, Microsoft Graph, Power BI, REST APIs, Git, Linux, Celery, Redis, Nginx, and Oracle Primavera P6.

Jason Mappin

Data & Controls Analyst

Jason is a Data & Controls Analyst with fifteen years’ experience across complex, safety-critical environments. He specialises in data analysis and storytelling, using Power BI to translate complex information into clear, actionable insights that support confident, informed decision-making. Jason works closely with project teams and stakeholders to improve visibility, optimise reporting processes, and enable data-driven decisions across multiple disciplines. He is skilled in Power BI and Excel.

Mathew Morey

Graduate Planning Consultant

Mathew is a Graduate Planning Consultant, gaining hands-on experience across project planning and other business functions including data and systems. He is developing his skills in programme development, reporting, and analysis, and continues to build practical experience in planning software such as Primavera P6, Excel, and Power BI. Mathew is focused on learning industry best practices and supporting our senior planning team as he grows in his role.

Our Culture

At Axial Projects, our culture is built on trust, openness and shared responsibility. We work in a way that encourages collaboration, honest communication and respect for different viewpoints, creating an environment where people feel supported, listened to and confident to contribute. We believe that strong relationships and a positive working atmosphere are essential to doing our best work.

We value high standards alongside balance, flexibility and enjoyment in the work we do together. By supporting individuals, encouraging teamwork and recognising contribution, we create a workplace where people can grow, feel proud of their work and build long-term careers with us.

Why Work With Our Team?

Proven Expertise

Our team brings extensive experience delivering complex rail, infrastructure, and energy projects across the UK. We combine industry knowledge with innovative tools to plan, coordinate, and execute every project efficiently. With a proven track record of successful delivery across multiple sectors, we ensure clients can rely on our expertise at every stage.

Collaborative Approach

We prioritise open communication and close partnership with clients, contractors, and stakeholders. By aligning goals and sharing knowledge from the outset, we create smoother, more efficient project delivery. Our collaborative approach builds trust, reduces risk, and strengthens relationships across every project team.

Passionate Commitment

We are driven by dedication and a focus on excellence in all we do. Our team continuously improves skills and processes, embracing innovation to deliver exceptional outcomes. By investing our energy and expertise, we ensure every project is completed to the highest standards, earning the confidence and satisfaction of our clients.

Ready to Work Together?

Let's discuss how our experienced team can help deliver your next project successfully.