British Dam Society
The BDS covers the technical aspects of dams and reservoirs, including planning, design, construction, maintenance, safety, and environmental impact.
- Date
- 17 May 2023
- Time
This event has now ended
Overview
The British Dam Society Young Professional Group invites you to join an evening introduction presentation on dams, reservoirs and working in the UK industry. This presentation is aimed at those wanting to learn more about a career in dams and reservoirs and the opportunities that come with this.
In Great Britain, there are nearly 3000 dams. These structures vary significantly in age and size and were built for a variety of reasons. This includes reservoirs for drinking water, irrigation, flood protection, energy and recreational uses. With an ever-changing climate and an increased demand for water, the need for new professionals in our industry has never been greater.
This event will begin with a brief career profile of Dr Darren Shaw, an associate director and all reservoirs panel engineer at Arup, who has worked in the UK and around the world. Darren will outline why and how he entered the industry as well as some of the highlights and challenges along the way. Joining him, the Young Professional Group will present on some of the key technical components of dams and reservoirs, summarise the world-leading legislation that helps regulate the industry and why you should consider a career in this discipline of civil engineering. This event will be followed by a Q&A session.
Members of the ICE Early Career Network, BDS Young Professional Group, members of the ICOLD Young Engineer Forum and those interested in joining learning more about dams and reservoirs are invited to join for this hour-long webinar.
Speakers
Darren Shaw
Arup / British Dam Society
associate director / chair
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Darren Shaw
An ICE Fellow, Darren Shaw is an associate director at Arup. He has extensive experience of leading multidisciplinary civil, mining and dam engineering projects in countries including Australia, Indonesia, Kosovo and Zambia, as well as the UK.
He is one of the 26 UK-based engineers appointed under the Reservoirs Act 1975 to the all reservoir panel. In this role, and as the UK’s co-opted member of the International Commission on Large Dams’ technical committee on dam safety, he focuses on ensuring the safe operation of dams and reservoirs.
Shaw became chair of the British Dam Society in May 2025.
Lucy Monkhouse
Canal & River Trust
senior reservoir engineer
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Lucy Monkhouse
Lucy is a senior reservoir engineer at Canal & River Trust, a charity that cares for a 2,000-mile-long, 200-year-old network of canals, rivers, reservoirs, and docks.
Lucy has over 8 years' of experience across multiple civil engineering sectors including water, nuclear, aviation, and the charity sector. Her latest role is as the ECC NEC supervisor for restoration works at Toddbrook Reservoir.
Lucy is also the events champion for the British Dam Society Young Professionals Group and is working towards her ICE Chartership and application to the Supervising Engineers Panel.
Michael Calder
Binnies
senior civil engineer
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Michael Calder
Michael is a Chartered Civil Engineer and senior civil engineer for an international environmental, engineering, and technical services consultancy business; Binnies UK Ltd. Michael has over 8 years' experience delivering Water, Reservoir and Flood Impact and Resilience Schemes.
Within his role in Binnies, Michael is responsible for coordinating the design of numerous reservoir safety improvement projects and studies, and for supporting construction teams in reservoir construction for a range of clients across England and Wales.
Michael is also a Supervising Engineer under the Reservoirs Act 1975.
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