The 2025 event uniting industry professionals to make
engineering and construction more efficient and sustainable

Mark your calendars!
On 13 February 2025 …On 13 February 2025 …On 13 February 2025 …
The 2025 event uniting industry professionals to make engineering and construction more efficient and sustainable
Reserve Your Seat
RIB is excited to welcome participants from around the world to this upcoming online event!
To accommodate different time zones, two convenient session options are available.
Attendees can choose the time that best fits their schedule:
13 February 2025
Please note that “session two” is the repeat of “session one”
No matter where you are, we want to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to join.
Select the time that suits you and be part of UNITE 2025!
Why Attend?
RIB Unite brings together construction innovators who share a commitment to building better. From the latest industry insights to hands-on success stories, this event is your chance to connect with other passionate industry thought leaders and gain knowledge to help you lead change.
This year’s theme focuses on uniting industry leaders to create efficient, collaborative and sustainable practices in construction. With a mix of visionary insights and practical takeaways, you’ll be equipped to take on the new year with confidence.
Chance to
Connect & Learn
Construction innovators who share a commitment to building better
Meet Global
Industry Leaders
Uniting industry leaders for efficient and collaborative construction practices
Watch Amazing
Success Stories
Visionary insights and practical takeaways from amazing success stories
Agenda
Explore various tracks, each designed to offer fresh perspectives on digital transformation, efficiency, productivity, collaboration, and sustainability.
Efficiency Redefined – Unlocking Productivity in a Digital-First Construction World
As the construction industry undergoes digital transformation, there’s a growing need to boost productivity and streamline processes through integrated digital platforms. This session will dive into how embracing a digital-first approach can transform project management, reduce inefficiencies, and drive greater profitability.
René Wolf – Chief Executive Officer, RIB Software
Trends Shaping 2025 and Beyond – The Future of Construction
What lies ahead for construction in an era marked by rapid technological and societal changes? This session explores emerging trends that will reshape the industry in the coming years, from digital twins and AI to automation, modular construction, and sustainability demands.
Niels W Falk, Chief Executive Officer & Partner, HD Lab
Breaking Down Silos to Build Better Together – Panel Discussion
Collaboration across teams, companies, and disciplines has become essential for effective construction projects. This panel will bring together leaders from across the industry to discuss the power of connected technology in breaking down traditional silos. Panellists will share their experiences with collaboration on complex projects and explore how uniting stakeholders—from architects and engineers to contractors and suppliers—leads to improved outcomes and efficiencies.
The Sustainability Imperative – Building a Greener Construction Industry
Sustainability is no longer optional—it’s imperative. This session, featuring insights from RIB’s Sustainability Survey, will address the growing demand for sustainable practices in construction. Speakers will discuss energy-efficient design, sustainable materials, and low-carbon project execution.
Matthew Jackson, Global Strategy Lead at RIB Software is joined by Kritika Kharbanda, Head of Sustainability at Henning Larsen Architects and, Johnathan Munkley, Head of Digital Services, WSP & Co-Founder at ZERO Construct.
Driving Sustainable Innovation with Industrial Intelligence and Radical Collaboration
Industrial resilience is crucial in today’s interconnected world, and digital innovation plays a pivotal role in achieving it. In this session we explore how data-driven platforms and digital twins are enabling organizations to adapt to market changes, optimize operations, and drive sustainability.
Caspar Herzberg, Chief Executive Officer, AVEVA
Real Success Stories, Real Impact – How RIB Customers Are Driving Change in Construction
This track will spotlight customers who are using RIB solutions to overcome industry challenges and propel their projects forward. Each story will provide a deep dive into the customer’s journey, highlighting the obstacles they faced, the RIB tools they implemented, and the measurable results they achieved.
Choose from three tracks, each presenting a number of stories from across the globe, various industries as well as RIB’s portfolio of products:
Join us in RIB UNITE 2025
– exploring the future of efficient, collaborative, and sustainable construction
Speakers
Please click on pictures to view speaker’s bio

Chief Executive Officer
RIB Software

Chief Executive Officer
RIB Software
A seasoned executive with extensive experience in steering international businesses and teams in industrial automation and the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) sectors, René began his career at Siemens through a graduate program, gaining hands-on experience in sales, R&D, and business development.
Fast forward 26 years, and René’s impressive tenure at Siemens saw him rise through various leadership roles across all three disciplines. From Product Manager to Senior Vice President of Sales, René’s diverse expertise makes him uniquely equipped to lead RIB Software as Chief Executive Officer.
A true “doer” at heart, René is passionate about achieving impactful results in both his professional and personal pursuits. Outside of work, he enjoys traveling, diving into a great book, and occasionally perfecting his swing on the golf course.

Chief Executive Officer & Partner
HD Lab

Chief Executive Officer & Partner
HD Lab
Niels W. Falk is an experienced CEO and Partner at HD Lab, an expert consultancy specializing in the use of cutting-edge technology in construction. With a career spanning over 30 years, Niels has a strong managerial background, having worked on numerous large-scale construction projects and in various contracting companies. He is a visionary leader who has always been at the forefront of technology adoption in the industry, with a particular focus on robotics, exoskeletons, generative design, BIM, VR, reality capture, and digital twins.
Niels’ expertise in construction technology dates back to 1992 when he built his first 3D model on an SGI Indigo. He holds an MSC in Civil Engineering from the Technical University of Denmark DTU and has undertaken further studies at IMD, Columbi, Stanford, and the University of Waterloo. His comprehensive education and practical experience have enabled him to gain an in-depth understanding of the complexities involved in construction projects and the effective use of technology to solve problems and achieve optimal results.
As CEO and Partner at HD Lab, Niels has been responsible for leading the company to over 200 successful tech projects and initiatives. He is a highly effective communicator and collaborator, working closely with clients and stakeholders to understand their needs and develop innovative solutions that meet their goals. Niels is committed to staying at the forefront of construction technology, and his passion for innovation and creativity is reflected in the work of HD Lab.

Owner, Architect & Specifications Writer
Amy Baker Architect

Owner, Architect & Specifications Writer
Amy Baker Architect
Amy has enjoyed a rewarding career over the last 20+ years working for some of Detroit’s most prominent architectural firms and, most recently, within her own practice, Amy Baker Architect, formed in 2018.
Amy is a Registered Architect in Michigan that specializes in the technical development of projects with a passion for exterior enclosure detailing, building science, building codes, and construction specifications. Her professional mission is to support the architectural community in making technical tasks, like spec writing, more accessible and easily understood through education and mentoring. She has successfully completed projects of many different types, scales, and complexities, including retail, higher ed, multi-family residential, entertainment, municipal, commercial office, light industrial, and restaurant projects.
Amy volunteers extensively on several boards, whose missions and goals are aligned with Amy’s passion for AEC education.

Chief Digital Officer
Mirvac

Chief Digital Officer
Mirvac
William Payne is the Chief Digital Officer at Mirvac, a leading Australian property development and management Group. He is responsible for the strategic information technology capability as well as the broader digital strategy for the Group.
William has over 25 years’ experience leading technology driven change across industrial and commercial environments in industries that include construction, waste and recycling, logistics and information management. He has worked in Australia, New Zealand, the US and Europe.
Prior to joining Mirvac, William’s roles have included Chief Information Officer for Boral, a similar role for Veolia in the UK and Executive General Manager for Strategy and Performance for Veolia Australia. He has also held the role of CEO for a technology scale-up operating in ANZ and North America.
William holds a Bachelor of Science (Hons) degree and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Marketing Director
buildingSMART

Marketing Director
buildingSMART
Aidan Mercer serves as the Marketing Director at buildingSMART International, having joined the organization in 2018 after a tenure at Bentley Systems, where he held a various marketing roles. In his current capacity, Aidan oversees brand management, messaging, strategic initiatives, and global Summits that unite professionals from the worldwide built environment.
Recently, Aidan helped to launch the new Accelerator Program and supports the Strategic Projects aimed at advancing standards and enhancing interoperability and data exchange.

Chief Strategy Officer & CMO
RIB Software

Chief Strategy Officer & CMO
RIB Software
Mads Bording, RIB’s Chief Strategy Officer & Chief Marketing Officer, is committed to driving growth and delivering impact by positioning RIB as the go-to partner for digitalization, efficiency, and sustainability in the construction industry.
With a career spanning investment banking, management consulting, and leadership roles across sectors like automotive, tech, SaaS, BIM VDC, ConTech, and PropTech, Mads brings a wealth of expertise and a forward-thinking perspective to his work.
An avid learner, Mads holds a Master of Science in Business and Finance, an Executive MBA, and additional qualifications from prestigious institutions such as MIT, HBS, and LSE. His dedication to excellence earned him recognition as a Financial Times Top 100 Talent award recipient.
Outside of work, Mads enjoys staying active at his local CrossFit box, surfing, and sharing his love of cooking with friends and family.

Senior Estimator
Austin Commercial

Senior Estimator
Austin Commercial

Chief Executive Officer
AVEVA

Chief Executive Officer
AVEVA
Caspar Herzberg has served as chief executive officer of AVEVA since March 2023 and is a member of the Schneider Electric Executive Committee. With over 25 years of software and industry experience, including senior management roles at both Accenture and Cisco, Mr. Herzberg led Schneider Electric’s business in more than 80 countries in his previous capacity as President, Middle East & Africa.
The author of Smart Cities, Digital Nations, he holds an MSc in International Politics from the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London, and a BA in Arabic & Modern Middle Eastern Studies from St. Anne’s College, University of Oxford.

Regional Director for Project and Programme Services | AtkinsRéalis

Regional Director for Project and Programme Services | AtkinsRéalis
Marc Menear is the Regional Director for Project and Programme Services at AtkinsRéalis (formerly Faithful+Gould), where he leads a team of 25 cost consultants. With over 27 years of experience, Marc is dedicated to driving innovation and collaboration in the construction industry, helping to deliver projects that meet the highest standards of quality, efficiency, and sustainability.
Marc’s vision is to position his team as the leading force in cost consulting, empowering clients with strategic solutions and accurate construction cost advice. His leadership role encompasses full financial oversight, performance management, and strategic planning, while also playing a pivotal part in AtkinsRéalis’ digital initiatives as a senior member of the Commercial Services Technical Leadership Group (TLG).
Marc began his career as a trainee in 1997 with Faithful+Gould, working his way up through the organization to become Head of the Bristol Office Commercial Services Team in 2018, before transitioning into his current role. One of his proudest achievements is becoming a chartered member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS).
In his free time, Marc enjoys watching rugby, especially supporting the Bristol Bears, playing golf, and spending time outdoors with his family and their chocolate Labrador. He’s also an avid gamer—though he admits to being regularly outplayed by his two boys!

Regional Director for Project and Programme Services | AtkinsRéalis

Regional Director for Project and Programme Services | AtkinsRéalis
Adam Dessouki is the Regional Director for Project and Programme Services at AtkinsRéalis, where he leads a team of 20 cost consultants delivering residential and commercial development projects in London and the South East. With 19 years of experience, Adam is committed to fostering strong client relationships and driving excellence through innovation and collaboration.
In addition to his operational role, Adam heads the Cost Management Technical Leadership Group (TLG), focused on improving service quality and consistency. He also plays a key role in advancing digital initiatives within AtkinsRéalis and represents the UK PPS business in the global cost management practice. His vision is to position his team at the forefront of the industry, providing strategic cost management solutions that enhance project efficiency and sustainability.
Adam began his career in 2006 and achieved his chartership with the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). Outside of work, Adam enjoys watching football, playing cricket with his two boys, and spending time with family and friends.

Chief Executive Officer
Kobai

Chief Executive Officer
Kobai
Lee Tedstone is the CEO of Kobai, a company transforming industries with its innovative connected technology and knowledge graph solutions. With a career spanning over two decades in technology and engineering, including leadership roles like Global VP at AVEVA, Lee has a deep understanding of how to drive collaboration and deliver real-world impact.
Passionate about breaking down silos, Lee helps unite stakeholders—architects, contractors, and project managers—through connected ecosystems that improve project delivery and outcomes. At this event, Lee will share insights on how technology-powered collaboration can reshape the construction industry, fostering smoother workflows and better results.

Head of Sustainability
Henning Larsen Architects

Head of Sustainability
Henning Larsen Architects
Kritika leads the global sustainability team and initiatives at Henning Larsen, while being based in NYC . Lying at the intersection of architecture, sustainability and technology, her work focuses on detailed environmental analytics for evidence-based design, certifications, furthering R&D with local partnerships, and contributing to policy development. Kritika specialized in Energy and Environments from Harvard GSD with cross-enrolment at MIT and was a social innovation fellow at Harvard Kennedy School.

Constructing Architect and Project Manager
Praksis Arkitekter

Constructing Architect and Project Manager
Praksis Arkitekter
Mike Kepke, Constructing Architect and Project Manager, at Praksis Arkitekter in Denmark, who is focusing on restorations, transformations, and adaptations of different projects ranging from residential buildings to large collective structures. They blend classical architectural and craftsmanship knowledge with an artistic and material-conscious approach, creating an authentic architectural style that both draws on tradition and looks forward.
Micheal started his professional career at one of the world’s most influential architect firms, Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG). When their new headquarter was built in Copenhagen, Micheal served as Construction Manager on the project. Driven by a passion for collaboration, Micheal works to bridge gaps between stakeholders – architects, contractors, consultants and project managers – creating integrated ecosystems that enhance project delivery and results.
At this event, Micheal will share insights on how solutions from RIB helped to improve project management, collaboration and data quality on the construction of BIG’s new headquarter in Copenhagen, where BIG took on the role of client, consultant and construction management.

VP – Head of Costing & Budgeting
Runwal Group

VP – Head of Costing & Budgeting
Runwal Group
Darshan is a dynamic and results-driven Director with three decades of extensive experience in commercial and contract management within the real estate development sector. He specializes in negotiating and structuring complex contracts, mitigating risks, and driving profitability and sustainable growth. Darshan is passionate about fostering collaborative relationships with key stakeholders, including developers, investors, and legal teams, to achieve strategic business objectives.
His expertise spans a diverse range of sectors, including Residential, Commercial, Corporate Real Estate, Industrial, Retail Malls, Five-Star Hotels, Data Centers, R&D Centers, Township Developments, National Highways, and Dams. Darshan is highly skilled in developing and executing contracting strategies to ensure projects are delivered on time and within budget. He brings a wealth of experience in conducting financial cost analyses, feasibility studies, and investment evaluations to assess the profitability and viability of real estate projects.
Darshan has supported clients in drafting contract conditions, negotiating with Grade A contractors, and managing high-value contracts throughout their lifecycle. A proven leader, he has managed teams of up to 170 professionals during his tenure at Arcadis and 20 team members at Linesight.
His career highlights include serving as Country Director at both Linesight and Arcadis, working with Birla Estates, and his current role as Head of Costing & Budgeting at the Runwal Group. Darshan’s dedication to excellence and his strategic approach to commercial and contract management make him a trusted leader in the real estate sector.

Quality Systems Manager
ACCIONA Australia & New Zealand

Quality Systems Manager
ACCIONA Australia & New Zealand
With over 30 years of experience in the construction industry, including 28 years with ACCIONA, Robbie Holmes has built a distinguished career spanning systems, quality, completion, design, and engineering. He has contributed to some of Australia’s most significant civil engineering projects, bringing a wealth of expertise to every role.
Throughout his career, Robbie has been both a user and partner of RIB CX, leveraging this collaboration software to support the design and construction of major projects. As the team leader of ACCIONA AU/NZ’s International Quality Award – Team of the Year 2023, Robbie played a key role in this achievement, with RIB CX contributing to the team’s success.

Head of Grid Development
Julius Berger International

Head of Grid Development
Julius Berger International
Hauke Deckarm is a certified engineer (Dipl.-Ing.) and the Head of Grid Development at Julius Berger International GmbH. He also serves as a lecturer in construction management at TU Dresden. With over 16 years of experience in national and international construction and infrastructure projects at Julius Berger International, Hauke has spent nine years abroad, including holding leadership roles in Nigeria.
Hauke’s expertise lies in structuring complex large-scale projects, with a strong focus on cost estimation, project control, and interdisciplinary collaboration to develop structured, customer-oriented solutions. His entrepreneurial mindset and leadership skills enable him to guide diverse specialist teams towards achieving common goals. In his current role, he focuses on project management for cost estimation and control in national infrastructure projects, alongside his academic contributions at TU Dresden, where he lectures on international construction. Additionally, Hauke has extensive experience as a technical controller, internal operations manager, and project lead for bidding and execution in international environments.

Global Strategy Lead
RIB Software

Global Strategy Lead
RIB Software
Matthew Jackson is a passionate advocate for sustainability and digital transformation in the built environment. With a background spanning architecture, startups, and strategic development, he has been at the forefront of revolutionising how data is leveraged in construction processes and products.
As Global Strategy Lead at RIB Software, Matthew drives the company’s alignment with industry evolution, focusing on digitalisation, macroeconomic trends, competitive strategy, open-BIM, and decarbonisation. His work ensures that emerging technologies and sustainability remain at the heart of industry progress.
Beyond his corporate role, Matthew is the co-founder of ZERO Construct, a global nonprofit

Director of Cost
Red Sea Global

Director of Cost
Red Sea Global
Malcolm Britton is a highly experienced estimation and preconstruction specialist with over 31 years of expertise spanning Canada and the Gulf region. He plays a central role in project tendering, estimating, conceptual budgeting, and quantity surveying for large-scale industrial, commercial, institutional, residential, and civil projects.
A long-term user of Candy, Malcolm has leveraged the software throughout his career, having previously served as Group Estimation Manager at both Nass Group & Corporation and Gulf Contracting Company. Currently, he is applying his significant expertise in cost and schedule control, value engineering, and risk analysis at Red Sea Global, where he has been for nearly two years.
Malcolm is known for his goal-oriented, innovative approach to preconstruction services and his innate ability to develop and maintain key client relationships.

Head of Digital Services, WSP & Co-Founder
ZERO Construct

Head of Digital Services, WSP & Co-Founder
ZERO Construct
Johnathan is a senior technology and digital strategy leader. He leads WSP’s Digital Services team, he is a Co-Founder of ZERO Construct and Founder of the Digital Twin Fan Club Podcast. Johnathan has been leading business transformation and the adoption of future technologies within the UK and internationally for over 15 years, operating in senior leadership teams and delivering large IT change, technology adoption and standardisation programs. Johnathan has led and supported major UK Government departments on their Digital Strategies’ such as the Ministry of Justice, Public Health England and the Defence Infrastructure Organisation.

Procurement Manager
Tri-Star Construction

Procurement Manager
Tri-Star Construction
Ernst de Jager is a seasoned procurement professional with a wealth of experience in the construction industry. Since January 2023, he has been leading procurement and supply chain management at Tri-Star Construction (Pty) Ltd as Procurement Manager, ensuring seamless operations across a variety of projects.
Before stepping into his current role, Ernst brought his expertise to KABOD Development Group in 2022 as Procurement Manager. Prior to that, he spent nearly five years at Balwin Properties, where he managed operational site procurement as a Regional Procurement Buyer. His journey in procurement also includes a previous tenure at Tri-Star Construction (2012–2017) as a Senior Buyer and an impactful role at Basil Read Limited (2007–2012), where he oversaw both national and international procurement and logistics. Ernst first stepped into the field at KS Diesel, where he built a strong foundation in procurement and sales.
Backed by a National Diploma in Procurement and Supply Chain Management from the University of South Africa, Ernst combines deep industry knowledge with hands-on experience to drive efficiency and strategic decision-making in procurement.
Frequently Asked Questions
No, RIB Unite is a free to attend virtual event.
This global event is targeted at professionals from across the AEC industry.
Yes, sessions will be recorded and accessible post-event.