Forth – celebrating 25 years of innovation, connection and collaboration

Ken Johnston, Business Liaison Manager at Forth, has a clear philosophy when it comes to networking: “Every conversation holds value – it might not lead to something immediately, but it could open the door to opportunities in the future.” It’s an approach that’s helping Forth celebrate its 25th year in business with strong relationships, new opportunities, and growing visibility within the BECBC community.

Forth is a specialist engineering company delivering smart, practical solutions for the world’s most challenging and safety-critical environments. The company has a reputation for innovation, adaptability, and solving real-world problems through practical, effective technologies. Supported by a network of strong collaborative partnerships, the company delivers end-to-end solutions to complex client challenges across multiple sectors.

Ken’s role as Business Liaison Manager is all about connecting the dots – identifying where Forth’s capabilities can meet industry needs and building the relationships that make those solutions possible.

“My role within the business is varied,” Ken says. “From broadening Forth’s horizons to developing our business reputation, my job is about engaging with the right people, in the right places, at the right time.

“When deciding which meetings to attend, I focus on two key aspects: the guest speakers and the companies they represent, and just as importantly, the attendees. I use the networking sessions strategically to build meaningful connections. From the outset of my time at Forth, my goal has been to broaden the company’s horizons. That has meant looking beyond existing collaborations and actively seeking new relationships that can support our growth and innovation.”

Ken regularly attends both the Nuclear Sector Group and Energy Networx meetings. For him, each offers something distinct.

• Sector Groups provide focused, in-depth discussions with industry-specific contacts. “These sessions give us a seat at the table with organisations that might otherwise be hard to access,” Ken says. “It’s about having the chance to engage directly with key players in the sector.”
• Energy Networx brings the whole spectrum of BECBC members together. “The diversity is what I love most, you get perspectives from industry, academia, and even local schoolchildren. It’s a place where unexpected connections can happen.”

Ken believes attending both has real value: “The combination of specialist focus and cross-sector diversity gives you a well-rounded perspective. It supports personal development and organisational growth. Attending both events gives me the opportunity to follow up on previous conversations and strengthen those connections. Additionally, being part of a broader network means I can seek advice from more experienced members when new opportunities arise. Access to that collective knowledge is truly invaluable.”

In just over a year at Forth, and coming from a non-engineering background, Ken has built strong, relevant connections.

• Conversations with Samantha Down from 32 West have helped him sharpen Forth’s social media content.
• Discussions with Mark Goodwin from Mott MacDonald have given insights into delivering meaningful social value.
• A chance meeting with Juliet Long from the NDA at an Energy Networx session led to Forth’s digital nuclear brochure and capabilities being shared with the NDA’s strategy team.
• At a Nuclear Sector Group meeting in Warrington, Ken reconnected with projEcon, resulting in an opportunity to build a test rig for URENCO – a new client for Forth.

“These events are about more than the speakers,” Ken says. “It’s about the people in the room and the conversations you have between sessions.”

He encourages other members to attend regularly, make connections, and look for opportunities not just for their own business, but for others in the network too. “If your professional image and credentials are strong, you’ll be in a better position when tendering for work. BECBC helps you build that credibility.”

As Forth celebrates 25 years of innovation, the focus remains on solving challenges, building partnerships, and staying visible within key industries. Ken adds: “Visibility is the bridge between your business and your audience. Without it, your products, services, and expertise remain hidden from the people who need them most. It’s about connecting, inspiring, and offering value. These are the reasons that I wholeheartedly endorse BECBC.”