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Secondment Spotlight – Dan Colley
As part of our secondment services, today we put the spotlight on Dan Colley. Dan is seconded from Waterman Aspen to the West Midlands Combined Authority as a Project Manager, where he manages the critical handover process of tram projects. He balances his technical work with his role as an Associate Director and Army Reservist. A lot to manage, but Dan seems to thrive in the variety of it all, and one thing underpins it – his passion for urban transport. Since joining Waterman Aspen, he has had the fantastic opportunity to work on the new metro extensions to the Midland Metro Line, with West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) and the Coventry Very Light Rail project.
Dan’s current role involves managing the transition from completed infrastructure to the operation of newly-built tram and highway schemes across the West Midlands. He juggles contract administration, risk management, quality assurance and more while coordinating multiple stakeholders. His work is often completed under pressure, requiring rapid prioritisation and negotiation between different interests to deliver what’s set out in the scope. His previous experience from both the contractor and client sides allows him to manage different viewpoints efficiently but also empathetically. He maintains a strong focus on quality and delivering value for the taxpayer.
His experience as an Army Reservist strongly influences Dan’s structured thinking and results-driven nature. He is a Platoon Commander and leads up to 40 troops in barracks and field conditions, while mentoring their development in their Reserve Forces careers. The opportunity to serve with the Army Reserves is an honour for Dan and it brings a wealth of soft skills to this role at Waterman Aspen.
Reflecting on the demands of his secondment, Dan shares, “I truly believe spreading good project management values and upholding them are integral to the success of any infrastructure project. It’s important to not just go through the motions, but to step off with the right attitude and the right processes to get the correct output.”
Dan is incredibly excited about the future of Very Light Rail (VLR) and light rail innovations. The VLR system offers quicker installation times and lower infrastructure costs compared to traditional metro. Their smaller, modular design allows for more flexible deployment, especially in urban and suburban areas where large-scale light rail infrastructure isn’t viable. These systems support the regeneration of local areas by improving accessibility and encouraging mass transit, public transport over private car dependency.
The strength and teamwork within Waterman Aspen’s Rail team is something Dan really values. Collaboration and shared learning are at the heart of what they do – whether it’s supporting each other through challenges or offering expert advice to clients, their combined knowledge helps to deliver effectively on projects whilst maintaining a strong support network for their colleagues.
As Dan prepares to take on a new delivery role, his focus remains on innovation, efficiency, and knowledge sharing across the Rail sector. With aspirations to become a Chartered Project Professional, he continues to bring structure and clarity to complex infrastructure challenges.
You can learn more about how Waterman Aspen supports employee growth and skill development on our Training & Development page.“
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