Atkins appointed to Home Office’s Border Vision Advisory Group

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The formation of the Border Vision Advisory Group follows the release of the Home Office’s Border Strategy 2025, in December 2020.

The Group was established by – and will work alongside – Border Force, an operational command of the Home Office which is responsible for securing the UK border and controlling migration at ports and airports across the UK and overseas. Together, Atkins and around 20 other specialists will work in collaboration Border Force to support the Future Borders & Immigration Systems and Digitising the Border programmes.

As part of the Group, Atkins will drive academic research and horizon scanning into leading border solutions and port infrastructure and support their implementation. The Group will also advise on and help develop recommendations around the development of future freeports, border security enhancement, delivery of border processes and contactless travel and traffic flow.

Participation also involves joining hackathons, to help shape and challenge policy, process and procedures around the UK’s future border strategy.

Richard Gutsell, Client Director, Atkins, said: “From drone surveillance and biometric security to data analytics and scenario planning, the Border Vision Advisory Group is an opportunity to contribute our global, cross-industry expertise to help shape the future of our borders. We’re proud to have been chosen and look forward to working alongside industry peers, academia and the Government to enhance the border experience.”  

Atkins has worked on a multitude of ports and airports around the globe, including Dubai International Airport, Yinchuan International Airport in China, and the Port of Houston, Texas. In the UK, the track record includes the likes of Heathrow and the Port of Tilbury expansion. Most recently, the company released a paper on how the UK’s upcoming freeport sites can realise their full potential.