Awards

A487 Royal Oak Culvert Replacement

A487 Royal Oak Culvert Replacement: the longest planned, full trunk road closure in SWTRA’s history, requiring extensive communication strategy, and challenging statutory undertaker coordination to minimise disruption to businesses, residents and local road networks.

Submitted by: AtkinsRéalis, Tarmac and South Wales Trunk Road Agency

Key partners: Openreach, DWR Cymru/Welsh Water, Wales & West Utilities, Pembrokeshire County Council

A465 Heads of Valleys Dowlais – Hirwaun

The A465 Heads of the Valleys trunk road is a strategically important link between the midlands and southwest Wales, and is essential for the economy of Wales to grow and become more competitive.

The new road provides safer, more reliable journeys.

It was delivered sustainably with care for the environment and local communities.

Submitted by: Future Valleys Construction

Key partners: Future Valleys Project Co, TACP

Cynllyn Amddiffyn Rhag Llifogydd - Hirael - Flood Prevention Scheme 

The Hirael Flood Protection Scheme in Bangor, Gwynedd, is a major infrastructure project designed to defend 194 properties, including key services like ambulance and fire stations, from extreme tidal flooding.

Protection for the next 50 years was achieved using a 310-meter sea wall, elevation of the promenade and roads by up to 1.5 meters, and three flood gates to mitigate tidal surges and rising sea levels.

Submitted by: Ymgynghoriaeth Gwynedd Consultancy

Key partners: Griffiths Contractors Limited

Glynneath Flood Alleviation Scheme

Glynneath has historically flooded due to insufficient drainage capacity, and was identified as one of the top 12 flooding sites in Wales.

In 2019, AtkinsRéalis was commissioned to design a Flood Alleviation Scheme, which increased the resilience of Glynneath against flooding.

The £3.6 million scheme, funded by the Welsh Government and NPTCBC, utilised tunnellers and a pressurised culvert system removing 250 properties from the flood risk area.

Submitted by: AtkinsRéalis

Key partners: Knights Brown, Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council

Apprentice of the Year: sponsored by SWIEET

This is an annual award launched during National Apprentice Week in February. It is open to all ICE civil engineering apprentices across Wales. Our winner has demonstrated excellence in achievement and a willingness to be an outstanding ambassador for the civil engineering industry.

The winner this year of the ICE Wales Cymru Apprentice of the Year is Spiros Grimas of Arup and he has impressed judges with his high work ethic and commitment to continual improvement.

Spirios is currently an Apprentice at Arup, contributing to a variety of exciting projects including Plasdwr and Bute Energy.

Through this work, he has developed a strong interest in CAD and engineering challenges, particularly focusing on 2D and 3D modelling using a range of software tools.

His role has also involved undertaking small engineering tasks, helping to broaden his overall technical understanding.

A proud highlight of his early career is being named ICE Apprentice of the Year—an honour that reflects both the support received and the valuable opportunities experienced so far.

Looking ahead, Spiros is eager to continue developing technical expertise and contribute meaningfully to future engineering projects.

STEMM Ambassador of the Year: sponsored by Jones Bros

The STEMM Ambassador of the Year Award honours an ICE member who has shown outstanding commitment to the industry by giving their time to inspire the next generation of civil engineers.

The award goes to Stephanie Lewis of WSP. 

Fifteen years ago, passionate STEM Ambassadors sparked Stephanie’s journey into civil engineering.

She now works extensively to encourage young people to select civil engineering as a career and now leads a team of STEMM Ambassadors within her organisation, leading STEMM events for all ages particularly the 16 – 19 year age group.

As the ICE Wales Cymru STEM Ambassador of the Year, she truly appreciates the impact of this role - inspiring future generations, fostering innovation, promoting education, and championing inclusivity, all while sharing the industry’s passion and helping to shape its future.

Paterson Prize

The Paterson Prize is awarded for the best written assignment by a Welsh candidate in their final ICE Professional Review.

The candidates are nominated by their reviewers, and the judging panel considered that Paul Withers of Mott Macdonald was a worthy winner of the Paterson Prize following nomination by his professional reviewers.

Paul is a chartered principal structural engineer working in Cardiff on a variety of buildings in the healthcare, commercial, defence and rail sectors.

His work and experience in the inspection and assessment of RAAC structures has lead to his involvement in the delivery of on demand training on the subject.

Paul works on the cutting edge developing and using digital tools to increase efficiency and improve quality and consistency of outputs.

Ben Barr Award: sponsored by Waterman Aspen

The Ben Barr Award is presented to an engineer, living or working in Wales, who has demonstrated exceptional qualities during their Professional Review for the previous year (2024 for 2025).

Judged recently the award was won by Ellen Thomas of Morgan Sindall, Ellen was recommended by her reviewers at her professional review as being an outstanding candidate as confirmed by the Ben Barr judging panel.

Ellen is a site-based section engineer working with Morgan Sindall on the Welsh Water Framework, having joined the company after graduating in 2020.

With a longstanding passion for civil engineering and the environment, she takes pride in the fact that her work on site contributes directly to positive environmental impacts both locally and regionally across Wales.

In January 2024, Ellen undertook the IEng review and was delighted to learn of her success in March of that year.

She expressed deep gratitude to the reviewers and the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) for nominating her, giving her the opportunity to re-present the Professional Review Presentation, and ultimately awarding her the Ben Barr Award.

Re-presenting to the panel of judges was an experience Ellen thoroughly enjoyed, as it allowed her to share a genuine passion for her work and the projects she has been involved with.

The nomination came as a complete surprise, especially given her initial anxieties about the Professional Review.

However, achieving both the IEng and the award has been a source of immense pride, reinforcing the belief that anxiety does not define one's potential or limit the ability to achieve personal and professional goals.