Behind the Digital Thread

In this episode of Behind the Built Environment, BESA Chief Executive David Frise speaks with Paul Wilkinson, Vice Chair of NIMA, about the shift from Building Information Modelling (BIM) to broader information management across the built environment.

Paul explains how NIMA evolved to support a more inclusive, long-term approach to managing data across the lifecycle of built assets. He highlights the importance of the golden thread, interoperability, and whole-life asset thinking—key to improving safety, compliance, and performance.

Emphasising that digital transformation is driven more by culture and people than technology, Paul calls for clearer communication, industry-wide collaboration, and trusted data as the foundation for future innovations like AI and digital twins.

Success, he says, will mean seamless data flow from construction through to asset management by 2030.