Sir Andrew Mitchell, who led the delivery of London’s new super sewer, was recognised for services to the construction industry.
ICE Fellow, Sir Andrew Mitchell (also known as Andy Mitchell), has been knighted in the King’s Birthday Honours in recognition of his services to the construction industry.
Now retired, Sir Andrew led the Thames Tideway project from 2014 until April of this year, meaning he saw the project go from inception to operation.
Affectionately known as the ‘super sewer’, the Thames Tideway Tunnel was built to boost the capacity of London’s original sewer system.
Built in the 1860s for a city of around 4 million people, the system struggled to cope with the almost 9 million people that now live in the English capital.
Construction was completed in 2024, and the super sewer was fully connected in 2025. Since it was ‘switched on’, it has diverted 21 million tonnes of sewage from the River Thames.
Before joining Tideway, Sir Andrew worked on Crossrail (now the Elizabeth line on the London Underground) as programme director. He received a CBE in 2015 for his work on this project.
Aside from the UK, Sir Andrew has worked in France, Hong Kong, South Africa and the United Arab Emirates.
Commenting on the list, ICE director general Dr Janet Young said: “It’s wonderful to see engineers recognised for their work on projects that enable people and the planet to thrive.
“From keeping sewage out of rivers to building new hospitals and rail links, the work of our members touches the lives of people around the world every day. I am delighted to see that work being celebrated in this way.”
You may also be interested in
- Type
- Lecture
Smeaton lecture 2026: The UK’s leadership in wing technology – is this the aerodynamic legacy of John Smeaton?
The annual Smeaton Lecture, delivered this year by Sir Iain Gray, will explore the link between the work of John Smeaton and the UK’s proud history of aerospace innovation. It will focus on the key role that Bristol has played in the industry’s development.
- Type
- Lecture
ICE Strategy Session: Ethics in practice – embedding updated expectations into your everyday
This Strategy Session will focus on the updated ICE Code of Professional Conduct. After a presentation on how the Engineering Council supports professional engineering institutions, a panel discussion involving audience contributions will explore ethical dilemmas faced by engineers across the profes…
- Type
- Lecture
ICE Strategy Session: PAS adoption, impact and promotion
Join our Strategy Session to learn about the promotion, adoption and impact of three key industry standards: PAS 2080 (carbon management), PAS 3090 (climate adaptation) and PAS 4010 (productivity).