Secondment Spotlight – Nick Kaminiotis

Nick Kaminiotis, Chartered Engineer and Associate Director in our Rail team, leads environmental consents management for EKFB’s 80km stretch of HS2. With over four years in this role, Nick has significantly shaped how consents are managed on, arguably, the UK’s current most complex infrastructure project. 

Nick oversees the submission and approval of environmental consents for EKFB’s Permanent Works on HS2. His role involves collaborating with design teams, contractors and statutory bodies to ensure timely approvals for construction. He liaises with joint ventures, consent bodies, section teams and internal stakeholders to align complex, environmental designs and approvals.  

The challenges of the role are significant. Nick has had to navigate prolonged consultations and stakeholder alignment for multiple sections of the project. These challenges are amplified by its complexity, where changes in design often require coordination with utilities, highways, planning and other disciplines. Despite this, Nick’s leadership and technical knowledge has mitigated risks, supported programme adherence and environmental compliance. His ability to take initiative and resolve issues quickly has been a defining feature of his approach. Nick says, “It’s about leading the way forward. You can’t just sit on your hands when there’s an issue – you need to own it and resolve it.”  

Nick’s career journey began in Crete, Greece, where he earned his first bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering. He continued his studies in the UK with a second bachelor’s degree in Civil and Structural Engineering at Newcastle University and a Master’s in Structural Engineering at Cardiff University. His professional career took off at Ramboll, where he gained experience in structural design and site supervision across various high-profile UK and international projects. His move to Waterman Aspen in 2021 marked a shift toward project and environmental management. Initially seconded to HS2 as a safety and assurance project manager, Nick soon transitioned to EKFB, progressing from managing a single section’s consents to overseeing consents route-wide. 

Nick credits his success to strong interpersonal skills and a solid technical foundation. He emphasises the importance of diplomacy in navigating the pressures and dynamics of large-scale infrastructure projects. “Half the answer is to understand the issue” he says, highlighting how his engineering background enables him to grasp the technical details that underpin consent challenges. 

At Waterman Aspen, Nick appreciates the autonomy and support the company provides. “I like the freedom Waterman gives you to reach out to people and work your own way toward success.” Looking ahead, he wants to continue influencing the rail sector through strategic leadership and innovation. With a passion for infrastructure and sustainability, his journey from structural engineer to a consent lead on HS2 exemplifies resilience, adaptability and vision. 

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