Costain technology solutions director John Batterbee has joined Atkins as a practice director in applied technology. Batterbee (pictured), who spent two and a half years at Costain, will lead the company's new Applied Technology Practice, which Atkins said it set up after demand for digital and technology capabilities grew in all of its markets. Costain has put its digital offering at the centre of its Leading Edge business strategy. This will see the firm carry out more consulting and digital-focused work for clients, which it expects will deliver higher margins with a lower risk profile. In July last year Costain, along with Kier, was appointed to a government data sharing project designed to improve efficiency on transport projects.