Exploring the possibilities and limitations of different solutions and finding ways to apply them is like exploring your true potential. To create an impact, leaders work on the gaps in the industry by truly understanding the relevant parts to bridge those gaps.
By networking and collaborating with experts from different backgrounds, May Winfield—Global Director of Commercial, Legal and Digital Risks—keeps abreast of the latest developments. May aims to continuously expand the horizon and enhance skills and competencies in today’s dynamic world.
In an exclusive interview with CIOLook, May shares valuable facts about her approaches and highlights her ideology for advancing industry perspectives with actionable strategies.
Below are the highlights of the interview:
Could you share with us your personal journey and how you became involved in the field? What inspired you to pursue a career in this field, and how has your passion evolved over time?
I have always been a real tech geek, playing around on computers since I was 4 – including doing some basic coding. These were the days before Windows interfaces, so one had to work out the code and prompts to get what you wanted – I remember the impact of the introduction of the World Wide Web. Suddenly, a vast amount of data and connections are available – though again, often requiring some basic knowledge of the right prompts or text to find the information or chat rooms.
My career, however, took a more traditional path at first. I graduated from law school in the late 1990s. Then I proceeded to be called to the Bar of England and Wales as a barrister and worked briefly as a high-end insolvency and litigation lawyer in Asia before cross-qualifying as a solicitor of England and Wales. I worked for a large international law firm in London, specializing in construction and construction insurance. However, my passion and interest in all things digital, tech and gadgetry remained – my flat remains a haven of interesting gadgets to this day.
When the UK Government mandated the use of Building Information Modelling (“BIM”) in 2011 to come into force in 2016, this gave me the chance to combine my personal interests and my work life. I started going to BIM and construction tech events that were being organized and gaining popularity in light of the Government’s mandate – I remember my first ever event where someone looked confused on hearing I was a lawyer – “But BIM has nothing to do with law or contracts!”
I kept going to events and voraciously consuming articles and research papers on all things’ construction technology. But I found little or no resources covering the risk, legal or contractual aspects. I think the BIM and construction tech community got used to me being the one at events asking the difficult question, “Who owns what?” “What happens if it goes wrong?” “Who’s responsible for data corruption or amendments?” Within the legal profession at the time, my interest in digital was met with skepticism and well-meaning advice to focus on more traditional legal pursuits.
Nonetheless, I’ve always found the BIM and construction tech community reassuringly welcoming and patient in my questions and quest for learning. As I started to understand the technology, this enabled me to apply my years of legal experience to potential issues, problems and misunderstandings.
Given the lack of available resources and understanding in this area, leading to differing expectations and potential disputes, I have been engaged in various efforts within the industry to increase knowledge and understanding among lawyers and those who instruct them.
This has included co-founding IM4Legal (an industry group focused on disseminating knowledge in the area); leading the drafting of the legal guidance and standard form contract documentation for the international informational management standards ISO19650; as well as speaking at events globally – most recently giving an opening keynote at a Blockchain conference in HK and speaking about AI at Autodesk University 2023.
My specialism has also led to my unique role in Buro Happold. The “digital risks” part of my role involves reviewing, advising on and mitigating the risks and issues of new technologies, digital-related services and wider global business strategies – made possible due to my relatively unusual combination of understanding of legal, business and technology.
As a leader, what are the core values or principles that guide your leadership approach?
It is important to inspire confidence in one’s competence and skillset but also to equally listen to one’s team – being conscious of their views and needs, ensuring they feel psychologically safe to express opinions in a productive manner. I have always striven to learn from the leaders I have encountered.
I am a big believer that life is a constant learning experience and I spend a lot of my personal and commuting time improving my leadership and mentoring skills, such as listening to podcasts like “Diary of a CEO” and reading books on these topics.
How do you prioritize innovation and creativity within your team or organization?
Innovation and creativity are essential for delivering cutting-edge solutions that meet the needs and expectations of our clients and stakeholders. I prioritize them by creating a culture of curiosity, experimentation, and learning within my team and in my Involvement in our organization. I encourage my colleagues to explore new ideas, challenge assumptions, and seek feedback from diverse sources.
I also provide them with the resources, time, and support they need to pursue innovative projects and initiatives, as well as to learn from failures and successes. At Buro Happold, we celebrate innovative and creative achievements and recognize the contributions of individuals. I work with others in Buro Happold to ensure that innovation and creativity are aligned with the strategic goals and vision of the organization and that they deliver value and impact for the users and beneficiaries of our solutions. This can be done by way of having working groups, for example our AI Working Group, and strategy boards, such as our Technology Board.
What strategies do you employ to stay ahead of emerging trends and technologies in the transforming landscape?
To stay ahead of emerging trends and technologies in the transforming landscape, I employ a number of strategies. First, I spend a lot of time deeply researching all topics around digital and technology, sometimes spending hours deep diving into a topic – whether it is how a piece of coding works or the future of AI.
I am always keen to listen to others’ views and opinions, learning something from every talk or event I attend or article I read. Second, I actively seek out opportunities to experiment with new technologies and tools, either through internal projects, hackathons, or personal learning initiatives. I enjoy exploring the possibilities and limitations of different solutions and finding ways to apply them to real-world problems.
Third, I network and collaborate with experts and peers from different domains and backgrounds, both within Buro Happold and outside. I believe that cross-pollination of ideas and knowledge can spark innovation and creativity and help me keep abreast of the latest developments and best practices. By employing these strategies, I aim to continuously expand my horizons and enhance my skills and competencies in the digital and technology space.
How do you balance the technical aspects with the broader business objectives of your organization?
One of the challenges I face in my role is to balance the technical aspects with the broader business objectives of my organization. I work with the business and other leaders within Buro Happold to ensure that the solutions we deliver are not only technically sound and innovative, but also aligned with the strategic goals and values of Buro Happold.
To achieve this balance, I adopt a holistic and collaborative but risk-managed approach involving various stakeholders from different disciplines and sectors. I always endeavor to communicate clearly and effectively with them, explaining the benefits and risks of each option, and seeking their feedback and input. I also keep myself updated on the industry trends, standards, and best practices. By doing so, I can make informed and evidence-based decisions that optimize the value and impact of our digital and technology solutions for our clients and our organization.
What advice would you give to aspiring leaders who are interested in making an impact in the realm?
I have had a squiggly career path, and the digital part of the job I do now didn’t even exist when I was a young lawyer. My best advice would be to find your passion, analyze and truly understand the relevant part of the industry you’re seeking to make an impact in, and work out where the gaps are that you could fill or impact. Don’t be afraid of not fitting into an expectation or box or to experiment and learn from your failures, as they can often lead to new opportunities and insights. Be curious and open-minded, and always look for ways to improve yourself and your skills. Seek feedback and mentorship from others who have more experience or different perspectives than you and be generous and supportive to those who are starting out or need your help. Most importantly, be authentic and ethical and lead with integrity and vision.
Looking ahead, what do you envision for the future, and how do you see yourself contributing to that vision?
Looking ahead, I envision a future where digital and technology solutions are seamlessly integrated with the built environment, enhancing the quality of life, well-being, and sustainability of people and communities.
I see myself contributing to this vision by leading and inspiring businesses, and hopefully within the wider industry, to deliver innovative and impactful solutions that address the complex and evolving challenges faced by our clients and society in the new world of digitization and digitalization.
I also hope to share my knowledge and experience with the next generation of digital and technology leaders and to collaborate with other professionals and organizations across different sectors and regions. I believe that by working together, we can create a better and more inclusive future for everyone.
