Name: Mark Toye
Job title: MD Ground Investigations England & Wales
Company: Igne

Who or what inspired you to join the geoscience industry?
Mrs Kirk, my A level Geology teacher at North Tyneside College.

Can you tell us about your career path to date?
I started as a graduate engineering geologist with Norwest Holst Soil Engineering at Leeds in February 1999 and stayed there through various name changes and base locations till Dec 2015 by then I was Pre-Construction Manager and had focused on tendering and estimating since late 2003.  In January 2016 I joined ESG formerly Soil Mechanics and now SOCOTEC leaving in December 2024 to join Igne as Managing Director for Ground Investigations in England and Wales.

How long have you held your current position for, and what inspired you to apply for the position?
Since December 2024 so at the time of writing this only two months. Impressed by Igne’s growth ambitions, team development focus, and dedication to the ground investigation market.

Some years ago, a good friend – who sadly died far too young – made me realise that you should focus on doing what makes you happy, if that’s not the case it’s time for a role change, company change or career change.

What does a typical day look like?
I think the beauty of the ground investigation industry is that there really are no typical days.

What are the most challenging aspects of your day-to-day role?
Sadly, ground investigation project budgets often don’t reflect the value and benefits they bring. Recruitment and insufficient entrants to the market is also a major challenge.

How do you manage a work/life balance?
Much better than I used to! When I started in the industry, I also played a lot of sport and those outside commitments meant that there were always time pressures particularly when working away, over more recent time I have got better at putting time aside for non-work activities and spending more time with family and friends.

What areas of the industry are you most passionate about?
Improving the quality and safety of the drilling industry.  There is still huge noncompliance with standards and specifications, AGS member companies have a major part to play in this they should only be utilising British Drilling Association Audited drillers when it comes to any ground investigation works otherwise, they are not complying with the current UK Ground Investigation Specification and other British Standards!

What lessons have you learnt throughout your career?
You can learn an awful lot from talking to an experienced driller and I have worked with some great individuals over the years – but don’t necessarily believe everything they tell you!

What can AGS Members do to address the gender imbalance and improve diversity within their organisations?
Treat everyone as individuals and celebrate the career successes of the remarkable women already in the industry to inspire others. Be engaging, honest, and free of preconceptions when interacting with all people.

How can AGS Members support graduates and early career professionals who are entering the industry?
Provide more training and work experience opportunities to help graduates understand the various aspects of the geotechnical and geological fields. Many geology graduates are unaware of the industry’s scope and the opportunities it offers. Collaborate with universities to better prepare graduates for the sector and its requirements.

What piece of advice would you give your younger self?
Avoid revolving dance floors – they will lead to persistent knee issues for the next 30 years!