Our People
Meet Adam Selvey
Birmingham, U.K.
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As Director of Engineering Design and Innovation for Jacobs’ Built Environment team in the U.K., Adam Selvey thrives on creating smarter outcomes for cities and communities. He’s passionate about challenging norms, designing with purpose and helping others find fulfillment in their work.
To Adam, not knowing is the fun part. He’s “comfortable being uncomfortable” and energized by Jacobs’ mission to challenge today and reinvent tomorrow. His day-to-day spans everything from supporting the energy transition by advising on AC (alternating current) to DC (direct current) electrical conversion in buildings to helping reduce fuel poverty through innovative heat network design.
Equally committed to lifting up others, Adam encourages colleagues to publish papers and present at technical symposiums, particularly with the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers. Throughout his career, he has worked in more than 10 countries and has consistently championed progress across the construction and building services industries.
“I believe Aristotle was right to say, ‘Happiness is the meaning and purpose of life, the whole aim and end of human existence.’ Finding your passion is key—in our work and family lives. When we understand this, we start to unify engineering and design to create a brighter future.”
Adam Selvey
Get to know Adam Selvey
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10
countries where Adam has delivered projects
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12
years of study to earn qualifications from craft certificate through to master’s degree
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£ 6.6 B
total construction value of projects delivered
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1
non-executive director role with the Building Services Research and Information Association
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48
years old when diagnosed with autism and ADHD
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6
of the furthest mainland locations in the U.K. visited
Can you tell us about your career journey?
Growing up in Birmingham, the U.K.’s industrial heart, I knew early on that I wanted to become an engineer. At 16, I applied for an indentured apprenticeship with one of the U.K.’s largest mechanical, electrical and plumping (MEP) subcontractors. I even had an argument with my parents about leaving school early instead of doing A levels. Over the next 15 years, I balanced part-time study with work to earn my BEng (Hons) and MSc and became a Chartered Engineer. Since 2008, I’ve worked internationally on major projects, learning from some of the world’s best engineering teams.
What sparked your passion for working in this industry?
My family worked in the trades, so construction was always in my world. I’ve always been fascinated by buildings and how they shape society. I remember watching a documentary about the design of Worldwide Plaza in New York—how they created plant floors to let the lower part open while construction continued above. That blew my mind. I’m especially proud of my role in developing the Bullring shopping mall in my home city of Birmingham. My family can experience it—and my work—firsthand.
What excites you about the future of this industry?
The desire to build has always been with us, but for much of history, our tools limited what we could achieve. Now, we’re entering a technological shift that lets us match reality with imagination. I often think about Antoni Gaudí—he used early parametric design methods for the Sagrada Família and it took a century for the technology to catch up with his vision. Today, we’re closing that gap.
What’s the biggest challenge in your market?
Skills. We’re in a time of rapid transformation and engineering can’t be just about precision anymore. We need diverse thinkers, soft skills and cross-disciplinary input. I once worked with the Happiness Research Institute on a project exploring how our homes affect well-being. That collaboration brought in voices and insights I wouldn’t normally encounter—and made the outcome stronger.
When you aren’t working, what are we most likely to find you doing?
Spending time with my family—walking, watching films or going on adventures across the U.K. I have four school-age boys, three of whom are neurodivergent, so life is always active. We’ve traveled to all the furthest points on the U.K. mainland. Music is a big part of our journeys—our family favorite is “Man in the Mirror” from the Lego Batman soundtrack. And yes, I think Will Arnett is the second-best Batman.