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Type
Networking

ICE YH Early Careers Network: Fireside chat with 161st ICE President David Porter

Event organised by ICE

Date
19 March 2026
Time
11:30 - 13:00 GMT
Location
Mercure Sheffield St Paul's Hotel & Spa
119 Norfolk Street
Sheffield, S1 2JE
United Kingdom

This event has now ended

Overview

ICE Yorkshire and Humber Early Careers Network Chair Mohamed Gheit and Vice-Chair Amy Stevenson will lead a fireside chat with 161st ICE President David Porter, joined by future leader Ines Cava.

It's an opportunity to explore David’s career and work in Northern Ireland as an infrastructure client. He is currently the Chief Highway Engineer and has had previous roles as chief executive of Rivers Agency. Discover his presidential themes including the importance of communicating in the public’s language, the rise of the informed client, and how we can bridge the skills gap.

The session will also encourage attendees to consider how they can find their place within the ICE and Ines will share her insights into the ICE future leader’s scheme. The fireside chat will initially be led by Mohamed and Amy, but attendees can also pose their own questions to the ICE President during the Q&A session. The event will conclude with informal networking and lunch. 

Attendance of early careers professionals is encouraged but the session is open to all. 

There will also be a quiet working space provided at the hotel post-event should any attendees wish to work at the hotel for the remainder of the afternoon. 

Speakers

David Porter

David Porter

Institution of Civil Engineers

President

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David Porter

David Porter is director of engineering with the Department for Infrastructure, which is Northern Ireland’s highways authority. In this role, he is also the chief highways engineer and head of the civil engineering profession in the Northern Ireland civil service.

Porter is responsible for the development of the department’s professional and technical staff, engineering policies and standards, and health and safety. He also leads on procurement and the internal consultancy.

Previously, he was chief executive of the Rivers Agency, Northern Ireland’s flood defence and drainage authority.

Porter has served on the ICE Council three times, twice as the Northern Ireland representative and once as a general member. He is a trustee who, until recently, held the learning society portfolio. He has also served on several institution committees and panels.

A fellow of the Irish Academy of Engineering, Porter was awarded the Poskitt Medal by ICE Northern Ireland in 2017 and the President’s Award by Engineers Ireland in 2018.

Ines Cava

Ines Cava

AtkinsRéalis

Assistant Structural Engineer

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Ines Cava

Ines is excited to gain a broader perspective on the industry and help shape its future.

Throughout this year, she looks forward to supporting various initiatives, particularly those focused on sustainability and digitalisation.

She is also eager to work with David Porter and the Future Leaders team to improve communication across the profession, inspire the next generation of engineers, and collaborate on projects that deliver positive change for the ICE and the wider industry.