Our Leadership

Chris Gardiner

Managing Director

Bio

Chris is Managing Director of W.D.M. Limited heading up the business globally and is the 3rd generation to work in the family business.

After studying Engineering & Physics, he started a WDM apprenticeship in 1980 covering Engineering & Electronics.

Chris was part of the team that developed the early computer-based SCRIM® & Deflectograph systems, as well as building the early desk top computers that processed and displayed the data.

He was involved on WDM’s first overseas contract in Hong Kong in 1985-86, which involved building a new Deflectograph to survey all main highways. The success of this project led to contracts in Singapore and Malaysia.

After promotions across the company – assisting in electronic drawing design and as Head of Procurement, Chris became Managing Director in 2004.

He has led the company’s growth in New Zealand where WDM has been making roads safer for over 20 years; and in 2018 it was a very proud moment to officially launch WDM(USA) Limited where a new company was incorporated, which has steadily grown over the last 5 years with a dedicated and skilled staff team.

Richard Dal Lago

Technical Director

Bio

Richard obtained a First Class Honours degree in Engineering from the University of Bath in the UK. He also completed a graduate Engineering apprenticeship at Rolls Royce Aero Engines. Following the apprenticeship Richard worked within in the Engine Control System department at Rolls Royce for several years before moving to WDM as a design engineer. He now leads the engineering department as the Technical director.

Andy Stevenson

Director of Road Services

Bio

Andy started his career as a Marine Engineer before moving into Civil Engineering.

After time in the private sector as a Materials Engineer, he moved into local Government as a Surfacing Manager, then Infrastructure Asset Manager, before becoming Head of Highways and Infrastructure for Cornwall Council.

Joining WDM in 2018 as Associate Director of Road Services, Andy is responsible for overseeing surveying operations, including Scanner, SCRIM® and Deflectograph, the Data Processing team and works closely with clients and contracts management across the UK and overseas.

Andy is heavily involved in Research and Development for the company and has close relationships with national industry bodies such as ADEPT, UKRLG and RSTA.

Outside of work, he is a keen sailor being in and around boats all his life. Andy is also an ordained minister in the Church of England and has been a Canon of Truro Cathedral, since 2015.

Graeme Paterson

Director of Professional Services

Bio

Graeme graduated in Civil Engineering from Strathclyde University in 1984. He began his career in Devon County Council in a chartership graduate trainee post. He became a Chartered Civil Engineer in 1988 and worked, in DCC, as Principal Engineer, Highway Maintenance before moving to W.D.M, Bristol in 1993.

He works primarily on the Asset Management System side of the business and following a sharp rise in business in Scotland, he moved to Dunblane, Scotland in 2006 to better support the business there. Graeme also manages the Welsh Government IRIS contract and has a general role in the development of WDM software products.

Ian Cadwallader

Director of Professional Services

Bio

Ian studied Civil Engineering at Plymouth Polytechnic and joined WDM in 1987 as the 3rd employee in the fledgling Consultancy Department.  He was part of a legacy team that developed a simple process for end users to understand pavement condition which developed into the WDM Pavement Management System.

Ian’s roles at WDM have taken him all over the UK including working for all four national governments and for over 100 local authorities. Overseas clients include Land Transport Authority, Singapore where Ian spent an enjoyable 6 months.

Currently, Ian is responsible for professional services across the company, having previously headed up the Computer Services department.

Away from work, Ian enjoys spending time on the water and trying to play guitar.

Richard Lane

Corporate Services Director

Bio

Richard joined WDM in 2003 to support a broad range of corporate interests including the management of intellectual property, ISO standards compliance, fleet management, statutory affairs, risk management and insurance placement, HR and people matters.

He previously, spent 24 years with the world’s leading professional services firm in risk, strategy and people, including several years based in Asia, managing large teams and advising national and multi-national organisations on their insurance and risk management programmes.

Russell Martin

Director of Computer Services

Bio

Russell brings over 20 years of experience in software development, systems management, and information security, with a career shaped by technical depth and strategic delivery.

He joined WDM at 18 as a Software Developer whilst studying part time, contributing to the development of works management and inspection systems. As the company expanded its hosted software offerings, he moved into the role of Systems Manager. Whilst studying for his Master’s degree in Information Security and Digital Forensics he established WDM’s approach to secure and scalable service delivery.

Now serving as Director of Computer Services, Russell leads the strategic direction of WDM’s IT and software solutions, driving innovation and resilience across the organisation. He is committed to delivering technology that empowers clients and supports safer, smarter infrastructure for the future.

Stuart Smith

Chief Financial Officer

Bio

Stuart started accountancy training in 1982 with a small firm that became part of KPMG.

After successfully completing AAT, he enrolled as an ACCA student and in 1988 was offered the chance to become Company Accountant at WDM.

He qualified as a Certified Accountant in 1991 and is now the Chief Financial Officer responsible for all financial matters concerning the WDM group.

Ryland Potter

Senior Vice President WDM USA

Bio

Ryland has been developing and delivering successful SCRIM® continuous pavement friction evaluation and pavement friction management programs across the United States since joining WDM USA in 2018.

Ryland chairs the national American Traffic Safety Services Association (ATSSA) HFST Council and is a member of the TRB Committee on Pavement Surface Properties and Vehicle Interaction (AKP50).

She holds degrees from Case Western Reserve University (BSci) and the University of Texas-Austin (MSci) and lives in Richmond, Virginia.

Mark Stephenson

Director of Consultancy

Bio

Mark is the Director of Consultancy which also includes our New Zealand survey work.

He graduated from Imperial College with a degree in Civil Engineering and is a Chartered Civil Engineer with over 35 years’ experience. Before joining WDM in 2008 he undertook a variety of Highway Maintenance roles for Cornwall County Council. Since joining WDM he has been involved in a number of asset management strategies and has a specific interest in achieving improved road safety outcomes through Highway Maintenance. He also works closely with our New Zealand client Waka Kotahi NZTA in the promotion of their skid strategy which is estimated to have saved 1400 crashes a year.

In his spare time Mark enjoys cycling and photography.

Our Leadership

Experienced professionals driving innovation and growth at W.D.M. Limited

Chris Gardiner

Richard Dal Lago

Andy Stevenson

Graeme Paterson

Ian Cadwallader

Richard Lane

Russell Martin

Stuart Smith

Ryland Potter

Mark Stephenson

Insights + opinion

New Zealand Transport Agency and WDM Strengthen Partnership with Renewed Contract

WDM Progresses Towards PAS 2161 Survey Compliance

WDM Completes Build of New Midi-SCRIM® Model

Speak to Your Experts

Chris Gardiner

Bio

Richard Dal Lago

Bio

Andy Stevenson

Bio

Graeme Paterson

Bio

Ian Cadwallader

Bio

Richard Lane

Bio

Russell Martin

Bio

Stuart Smith

Bio

Ryland Potter

Bio

Mark Stephenson

Bio

Get in touch

Our Leadership

Experienced professionals driving innovation and growth at W.D.M. Limited

Chris Gardiner

Richard Dal Lago

Andy Stevenson

Graeme Paterson

Ian Cadwallader

Richard Lane

Russell Martin

Stuart Smith

Ryland Potter

Mark Stephenson

Insights + opinion

New Zealand Transport Agency and WDM Strengthen Partnership with Renewed Contract

WDM Progresses Towards PAS 2161 Survey Compliance

WDM Completes Build of New Midi-SCRIM® Model

Speak to Your Experts

WDM Completes Build of New Midi-SCRIM® Model