With a career spanning nearly five decades, Mark Creighton, Director at CGL, has become a respected figure in UK ground engineering. His extensive experience has shaped some of the industry's most complex basement and temporary works projects. In this edition of Meet the Expert, Mark shares insights from his journey, highlighting the value of practical engineering, collaborative problem-solving, and developing the next generation of talent.
Introduction
Tell us about your background and how it all started?
My career in construction began 47 years ago when I joined George Wimpey as a Trainee Technician. I completed a five-year training indenture, combining hands-on site experience with college-based learning, and gained EngTech MSCET and ITechEng FSCET qualifications through the Society of Civil Engineering Technicians.
In 1986, I joined Norman & Dawbarn, where I spent nine years honing a specialism in assessing large panel structures and concrete repair. That led to a three-year stint in forensic structural investigations at Quest, followed by a role at Dew Pitchmastic, supporting brickwork stabilisation and structural repairs, most notably at Harbour Views in Gibraltar. I supported that business unit for seven years before moving to Galliford Try Construction South in 2005, where I became Chief Engineer.
I achieved Chartered Engineer (MICE) status in 2003 and was elected as an ICE Fellow in 2011, the same year the GT/CGL/Walsh team won a Ground Engineering Award for a 12m-deep, three-level basement project in chalk using observational methods. Since then, I've been fortunate to contribute to several more GE award-winning projects with CGL, most recently in 2023.
Over the past two decades, I've focused increasingly on construction methodology and sequencing, particularly in deep basement and temporary works design across central London and the Home Counties, applying a ground engineering perspective to increasingly complex and constrained urban projects.
What's your current role at CGL?
I'm a Director leading the South Region's 28-strong geo-team, including the 15 brilliant minds in our London office, which we built from scratch over the last decade. I handle a lot of operational work, but I stay hands-on with about 20 live projects and still enjoy sketching out the occasional sequencing idea or temporary works concept, doodles with purpose, if you will.
What inspired your career in construction?
I was decent at art and technical drawing, back when pens had ink, and quills were (almost) a thing. I've always been passionate about solving real-world problems and finding ways to reduce waste, time, and complexity on construction sites. Basically, I like to see things get built, and built well.
Technical and Industry Expertise
What's your specific expertise, and why does it matter?
These days, it's all about practical, buildable ground engineering, especially deep basements. I combine construction method sequencing with real-life modelling, thanks to our skilled analysts in London. It's about bridging technical theory with on-site reality, mostly in commercial construction.
Any current innovations you're excited about?
Definitely our new geophysics workstream. It's early days, but the potential for fast, non-intrusive ground insights is huge. It feels like we've only scratched the surface, pun fully intended.
A project you're particularly proud of?
The unbuildable lift pit in Peacocks Shopping Centre stands out. It was a small yet challenging project during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the solution we delivered for Mace turned out to be a GE Award winner.
For the team, I'd highlight 65 Crutched Friars in Aldgate. We went full one-stop shop, conducting geo-structural investigations, designing buttress piles, and managing temporary works, reusing RC walls to save space, carbon, and headaches. It was CGL teamwork at its best, drawing on lessons learned from major basements across London.
Company Profile & Integration
What industries do you serve?
Our bread and butter is across residential, commercial, infrastructure, and more, anywhere challenging ground meets ambitious construction.
What makes CGL stand out?
We're practical problem-solvers who know how to dig deep (literally). It's not just analysis; we understand buildability, sequencing, and sustainability from day one.
How does being part of Phenna Group help?
It gives us scale and support. Having a strong parent company behind us provides reassurance to clients and opens doors to new opportunities for collaboration. CTS, In Situ, Concept, and others have all added value to recent projects.
Looking Ahead
What trends are shaping the future of ground engineering?
Re-use. Whether it's foundations, basements, or entire buildings, we're seeing more appetite for extending or adapting existing structures instead of tearing them down. Our RuFuS (Re-Use of Foundations and Substructures) skills are in demand. Clients and insurers are warming to the sustainability and cost-efficiency gains.
What excites you about the future?
CGL's growth and the fresh talent driving it. It's great to see new voices shaping the future of our business and aiming for CGL to be a top 5–10 geo firm in the UK.
Personal Insight
What do you enjoy most about your work?
The people. I love seeing careers flourish, especially when colleagues hit milestones like professional qualifications. The projects, awards, and problem-solving are great, but the real satisfaction comes from mentoring the next generation and building something lasting.
Any hobbies outside of work?
Music is a big one. I collect and play electric Fender guitars; my wife gifted me a Stratocaster for my 50th, just like Hendrix's. After 10+ years of lessons, I finally played live with a mate over a bank holiday weekend. OK, it was in my back garden… but still, technically a gig!
Tell us an interesting fact about yourself that not many people know?
I'm trained and qualified as an inshore diver. Back in my early career, volunteers were invited to take part in underwater training to simulate repair work on concrete structures destined for offshore oil rigs. We used a 30-foot test tank in the heavy structures lab, where we practised resin grouting cracks and repairing concrete samples, essentially replicating what would be done in the harsh conditions of the North Sea.
Mark Creighton's blend of technical expertise, dry humour, and genuine passion for mentoring makes him a standout figure in UK ground engineering. Whether he's sketching basement sequencing on a whiteboard or bending guitar strings in the garden, Mark brings energy, experience, and a commitment to better building.
As our Meet the Expert series continues, we look forward to introducing more of the talented professionals across Phenna Group who are helping industries meet tomorrow’s challenges, today.