John Findlay is a chartered engineer with a degree in Civil Engineering and an MSc in Engineering Geology.  He started work in 1969 in site investigation and joined Stent Foundations Ltd in 1982 as Chief Engineer becoming a Director of the company in 1988. In 2003 after an association with BBIS from its beginnings in 1996 he was appointed a Director. His responsibilities include engineering, research and development and strategic IT within the company. He retains a consultancy role with Stent. Both companies are wholly owned subsidiaries of Balfour Beatty plc.

John undertook a two year partial secondment to the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council running their Innovative Manufacturing Initiative in construction in the late 90s. Construction processes are now an area of particular interest. He is the chairman of the Management Board for the Centre for Innovative Construction Engineering based at Loughborough University, was a member of the management board of the Dti backed Avanti (ICT collaborative working) programme and is a member of the steering group of the COMIT programme addressing the use of mobile IT in construction. He retains an interest in addressing construction research agenda through membership of the National Platform Support Group and as a council member of the European ENCORD network.