Clare White

Said the following about John Kennils:

“John joined Freyssinet in 2015 as marketing and business development manager for the company’s rail division. Over the last two years, his tireless hard work, perseverance and enthusiasm has contributed to the continued growth of the rail division and the successful execution of one of the most exciting innovations in the rail industry in recent times.

In February 2014, Freyssinet was invited to participate in RSSB’s Innovation Programme for “The Avoidance of Bridge Reconstruction”.

From this, the company’s innovative ElevArch® concept was born - a revolutionary technique for vertically jacking masonry bridge arches, designed to minimise intrusion to the rail environment compared to other techniques, significantly reducing cost, time and resources.

John has been a driving force behind ElevArch®, promoting the importance of the technology to the rail industry. In the initial stages of the project, he worked closely with the design team and engineers, acting as a liaison between the sponsors RSSB and Network Rail and the EWR 2 Alliance team.

John spent 18 months promoting the ElevArch® system at industry events and seminars all over the UK, meeting with Network Rail, design houses and principle contractors. He created a growing interest in the technique, successfully gaining magazine coverage with articles in Rail Engineer, NCE and Rail Gazette.

John’s mission has not been without its challenges. During numerous presentations and meetings, reaction to the concept was often negative - in his own words, he faced many ‘shoe gazers’, who didn’t consider it to be a viable method. However, John’s enthusiasm and belief in the project did not waver, and every negative ‘that won’t work’ was met with a greater determination to communicate the benefits of ElevArch® and prove its capabilities in the rail sector.

The best way to prove a theory is to put it in to practise. On 26 October 2016, two years of innovative thinking and careful planning came to fruition, as Freyssinet’s ElevArch® technique was trialled in a live demo in front of 120 guests from the rail sector, including Network Rail, Aktins, Arup, Arcadis, DfT and J. Murphy Group.

The open day was a huge logistical undertaking, organised by John with support from the Freyssinet communications team. Invited guests (including many curious ‘shoe gazers’!) were transported to site in Buckinghamshire to witness the successful ElevArch® lift trial of a 161-year-old, 220 tonne masonry arch bridge by 900mm using ten 50 tonne jacks. For many, it was a concept that had to be seen to be believed. For the ElevArch® team, the delighted reactions of the guests and success of the day was a great reward, as was the buzz it created on social media during and in printed media after the event.

Driven by John, the technique has since won the award for best environmental innovation at the Railway Industry Innovation Awards in June 2017. John was presented the award by Mark Carne, chief executive of Network Rail. (as pictured)

In addition, Freyssinet has been shortlisted in four categories for The Structural Awards 2017 for the ElevArch® technique. The awards, hosted by The Institution of Structural Engineers, showcase the most exciting and innovative structural engineering projects from around the world. John will attend the awards ceremony in November 2017.

John diligently continues to communicate ElevArch® and the company’s capabilities in the rail industry. He is a skilled and knowledgeable member of the Freyssinet team, who is able to develop conceptual solutions and showcase the best of the company’s capabilities, while developing strong client relationships.“