Trenchless Woman of the Year 2026 – Dawn Greig
1. What does it feel like to be recognised for what, for those of us that know you, has been a significant part of your working life?
I honestly can’t quite believe it—it feels really special. Trenchless has been such a constant in my working life that you don’t often stop to reflect—you’re always focused on what’s next. So to be recognised by people within an industry I respect and have grown up in professionally, means a great deal.
2. What does the Award mean to you personally (and/or to your family)?
Personally, it’s a real honour. For my family, I think it’s a nice confirmation that all those late nights—and plenty of trenchless talk around the dinner table—have been worthwhile.
I’m also very aware of being a role model for my three daughters, who are all strong and independent women in their own right, so this recognition means a great deal from that perspective too.
I’m grateful to work for a company that truly values women for their talent, leadership and contributions—not simply as part of a diversity metric but as essential voices that strengthen our teams and help shape our success.
Women are still underrepresented in our industry and if this helps even in a small way to show what’s possible and encourage others to consider a career in trenchless, that would make it even more meaningful.
3. What was your background/experience originally and what brought you into the trenchless industry?
My background is in management and senior leadership across a range of sectors, from gaming to travel and I’ve always brought a creative approach to what I do. I came into the trenchless industry somewhat by chance but quickly saw that it’s driven by innovation and practical problem-solving, making it an exciting field to be involved with.
Katja Lindy-Wilkinson, our CEO, first introduced me to this world while working with our contracting team in Finland. In the early days, bringing new products to market was a challenge for both of us—particularly as women in a predominantly male environment—but we were fortunate to meet many supportive people along the way. It’s an industry that, despite its size, really does feel like a close-knit community.
4. What has been your most challenging trenchless experience over those years (project/product development)?
The most challenging part has been taking a new concept into an established marketplace and demonstrating that it can genuinely improve safety, efficiency and productivity in the field. When Katja and I first introduced Picote’s electro-mechanical high-speed Millers to the market, there was very little awareness of what they were or how they could be used—now they’ve become an industry-standard tool for pipe cleaning, descaling and removing roots, concrete and more.
Of course, everything we do at Picote is a team effort, and helping bring Flexi-Sliplining to the market has been one of the most challenging and rewarding parts of my trenchless career to date. Taking an idea and making it work reliably in real site conditions is never straightforward; what looks right on paper can behave very differently in the field, which is why having a reliable and versatile solution is so important.
A good example is the Flexi-Sliplining project in Beaulieu, which presented some very specific site constraints and required a high level of collaboration, creativity and persistence to overcome. Being part of the team that delivered that solution—and seeing it recognised with the UKSTT Small Renovation Award in 2025—was particularly rewarding. It really was a great example of what strong teamwork and a great product can achieve. For me, the best part is that it was completely trenchless, with no lead-in trench or over pumping—and the donkeys loved it!
Contributing to carbon reduction and environmental savings is important to me on a personal level because I want to know that the work I’m involved in is making a positive difference—not just for the here and now but also for future generations.
5. Can you detail your specific actions or activities related to the advancement of trenchless technology during your career?
Much of my work has been about supporting innovation by working closely with teams, contractors and industry partners and making sure the real challenges faced on site are properly understood and communicated. Alongside that, supporting our clients and partners, building the brand and raising awareness of trenchless innovations have all been a big part of my career.
Alongside this, I’ve been actively involved in supporting and promoting the industry more broadly. I served as Chair of the UK Society for Trenchless Technology (UKSTT) for three years, including during the Covid period, which brought its own unique challenges. As Past Chair, I also currently serve as Chair of the Marketing Committee. I am also a Trustee of the International Society for Trenchless Technology (ISTT) and contribute to its Marketing & Outreach Committee, as well as a European Working Group focused on strengthening trenchless technology internationally.
As many of you will know, I’m not an engineer, so I’ve always brought a different approach to the table—focusing on how we position, communicate and deliver value. I believe real progress comes from understanding the market as well as the technology and ensuring the two align. For me, creativity and marketing go hand in hand; it’s about translating complex ideas into something clear, engaging and meaningful for the people who need them, while also helping to educate the market and raise awareness. That’s something I’ve always strived to do throughout my career.
6. What do you see as being your own greatest personal achievement in the trenchless industry?
For me it’s seeing ideas develop into solutions that people genuinely rely on in the field. Helping bring innovation into practical use, while also contributing to the wider development of the industry through organisations like UKSTT and ISTT, has been incredibly rewarding.
Having been part of the UKSTT Council for several years, becoming its first female Chair in its 30-year history felt incredibly special. Breaking down gender barriers matters because it opens the door to fresh perspectives, drives stronger outcomes and makes it easier for others to step forward and succeed and I am proud to have contributed (albeit in a small way) to that progress.
7. Have you any now or when you started in trenchless did you have any female role models in the industry? Who? Why?
I’ve been fortunate to work with some very inspiring ladies throughout my career. From the start of my journey with Picote, our CEO, Katja Lindy-Wilkinson, has been both a close colleague and a real role model. Her vision, leadership and determination have had a lasting impact on both the company and the wider industry. I would also highlight Jutta Ehder-Lokkinen, Picote’s co-owner and COO, whose entrepreneurial mindset and commitment to innovation have been equally inspiring. Working alongside strong, capable women like Katja and Jutta has been both motivating and empowering.
More broadly, former UKSTT Trenchless Woman of the Year winners—Sandra Rolfe-Dickinson, Jo Parker and Shauna Heron—have all been excellent role models. I’ve been especially fortunate to continue working with Jo and Shauna on the Council, where they’ve been incredibly generous with their time and expertise over the years. To be considered for the same award as all three of them is not only humbling but a real honour given the standard they’ve set and the impact they’ve had on the industry.
I’d also like to mention Lynn Maclachlan, Associate Director of UKSTT, who works tirelessly behind the scenes to keep the organisation running 
so effectively, and Leon Woods, Finance Trustee at UKSTT and Country Manager for Steinzeug-Keramo. I’d also like to highlight Steph Richardson, Picote’s Senior Marketing and Communications Manager, who is a fantastic example of a woman excelling in our industry—all of whom have supported me enormously over the years.
There are so many incredible women in trenchless who deserve recognition—honestly, they all deserve this accolade and I’m proud to share it with them.
8. What do you currently see as being the UK’s and the industry’s most urgent challenges and where do you hope to see the trenchless industry in the next 10 to 20 years?
Like many countries, the UK faces the significant challenge of upgrading ageing infrastructure while minimising disruption to communities, businesses and the environment—and that’s exactly where trenchless technology has a critical role to play.
Looking ahead, I hope to see trenchless become the first choice rather than the niche alternative, embedded at the planning stage rather than considered later. That shift will rely not only on continued innovation but also on greater awareness, education and collaboration across the industry. If we can achieve that, trenchless will play an even more central role in delivering sustainable, efficient infrastructure over the next 10 to 20 years and beyond.
As we say at UKSTT ‘Think Trenchless First!’
9. If there is anything else trenchless related you would like to mention that we have not covered already, please feel free to comment.
Most people never think about what’s happening beneath their feet—but in trenchless, that’s exactly where our focus is. It might not always be the most visible part of infrastructure but it’s one of the most innovative—and one that has a real, everyday impact which affects us all. It’s also an industry full of talented, practical people and I’ve been very fortunate to spend much of my career working alongside them.
Receiving this award is a real honour, but it also reflects the people and teams I’ve had the opportunity to work with throughout my career—and I’m excited to continue being part of what lies ahead. Celebrating women doesn’t mean overlooking men—this award helps create visibility and show more women what’s possible within the industry. I’ve also been fortunate to work with some excellent male colleagues who have supported me throughout my trenchless career and I am truly grateful to them.
Finally, I would just like to say that I believe women hold a vital role in the trenchless industry—the more we create space for them to thrive and encourage them to join, the stronger the industry will become.