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Connected Places Catapult appoints nima to promote ‘digital whole life’ concept
13 October 2026
The catapult will work with nima to bring together experts with specialisms in digital construction and asset management from across the UK built environment.
Connected Places Catapult, the UK’s innovation accelerator for transport, construction and infrastructure, has appointed information management organisation, nima, to promote the “digital whole life” concept, which is about managing a built asset’s data throughout its full lifecycle, from planning to renewal.
The collaboration forms part of the Digital Construction International Programme, which is delivered by the Catapult on behalf of the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade (BIST).
The aim is to engage industry experts in developing the concept and creating resources to help the industry apply it.
The Catapult and nima want to build on the industry’s strengths in delivering projects with BIM to UK standards like ISO19650, which is set to be updated next year to specify a more holistic approach.
Last week, nima and the Catapult convened a workshop of clients, consultants, standards leads, and educators to consider how the UK defines, governs and scales the adoption of digital whole life capabilities.
Taking responsibility for data
“Information management means agreeing what information people need, taking responsibility for its quality and making it available in a form they can use. Done well, it helps people understand their choices and account for their decisions from a whole life perspective,” said nima chair Anne Kemp OBE.
She said the need for a digital whole life approach exists before a project takes shape, when people are considering a need for a building or infrastructure asset.
“It continues through design, construction and use, and into decisions about adaptation, reuse and renewal,” she added.
“This collaboration with Connected Places Catapult will build on nima’s existing work and communities, engaging and reaching out wide to form a powerful community of experts who can help develop and mature this whole life thinking.”
Geoff Stevens, director of built environment at Connected Places Catapult, said: “Construction clients around the world need built assets that perform better, cost less to operate, and produce fewer carbon emissions. The UK is already well-placed to help deliver those outcomes, with a track record in digital construction, information management and standards.
“Working with nima gives us an opportunity to take the next step by bringing industry expertise together around a whole-life approach to asset data. Through the wider Digital Construction International Programme, we will work to ensure that projects in the UK and overseas can benefit from this evolving approach.”
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