Walker Sime has announced the appointment of Sheryl Durham as their new Director of Project Controls and Decarbonisation Lead. With over 20 years of experience on some of the UK’s most pivotal energy transition and net-zero projects, Durham will play a key role in expanding Walker Sime’s work in energy and infrastructure.
Durham is a strong proponent of “the art of the possible,” motivated by a commitment to projects aimed at creating a cleaner, greener future. She commented, “We’re pushing innovative projects that are first of their kind at scale, and that’s something worth getting swept up in. It’s a thrilling opportunity to work on projects that can make a real difference.”
Durham began her career in project controls in the oil and gas sector in Northern Canada. She later moved into nuclear and low-carbon energy projects across Canada and the UK, collaborating with leading engineering and construction firms. Over the past ten years, Durham has led critical energy transition projects, shifting from traditional oil and gas towards net-zero solutions for the power and industrial sectors.
Most recently, Durham served as Project Controls Lead for the Sizewell C Civils Design Programme, overseeing the establishment and management of comprehensive systems for schedule, cost, performance, risk, and change management within the £500 million engineering scope of the £8 billion civil works programme. Her efforts in building multi-discipline controls teams and processes ensured industry-leading standards were maintained in programme reporting and stakeholder coordination.
In her role at Walker Sime, Durham will focus on strengthening the company’s project controls capabilities and collaborating with investors and stakeholders on pioneering decarbonisation initiatives. “These projects are massive, and timelines and budgets are often laden with optimism bias. My role is to help all stakeholders understand the full scope, set out proactive processes to measure and evaluate progress, and manage risks appropriately,” she explains.
A central part of her mission at Walker Sime is to further establish the company’s standing as a reliable partner in delivering energy transition programmes. “Walker Sime has a history of punching above its weight. We have the expertise, the passion, and the people to support these large-scale infrastructure projects,” Durham notes. “That’s a huge part of why I’m here—to help shape a more sustainable world and make a lasting impact.”
