Tony Gee senior engineer takes home 2025 James Rennie Medal

Emma McGregor, a chartered senior engineer at Tony Gee and Partners LLP, has won this year’s James Rennie Medal.

The medal recognises the best Chartered Professional Review (CPR) candidate of the year.

McGregor was awarded the prize for presenting on her experience working on the Viking Wind Farm, a 103-turbine, 443MW onshore wind farm on mainland Shetland. This pioneering development is anticipated to be one of the most productive wind farms in the world, powering 500,000 homes.

McGregor was shortlisted for the prize alongside two other candidates who showed outstanding qualities in their CPR last year – Carys O'Shea of J. Murphy and Sons Ltd and Captain James Wallis of the Corps of Royal Engineers (British Army).

During a ceremony at the ICE HQ hosted by ICE President Professor Jim Hall, the three finalists presented their Chartered Professional Review reports. This was followed by an engaging question-and-answer session with the audience and panel of industry experts.

Worthy competition

Outlining her role on the Viking Wind Farm, McGregor discussed design and construction challenges posed by the project's remote and sensitive upland peat environment, including the risk of peat instability.

On being selected as the winner of this year’s medal and £1,000 top prize, McGregor said: “It’s hard to put into words how I feel – privileged, honoured, and delighted in equal measures.

“It’s a really prestigious award. The competition tonight from James and Carys was intense, their presentations were amazing, so to come away with it feels extra special.”

‘Three future leaders’

Jacki Bell, chair of the James Rennie Medal judging panel, highlighted the high standard of the presentations, making it difficult to choose between the three finalists.

Bell said: “The winner, Emma, was chosen because she provided a comprehensive overview of everything that she was involved in.

“She also stepped outside of that and discussed James Rennie and the wider societal issues as part of her presentation. She had that broad understanding of what we were looking for and what James Rennie stood for.”

James Rennie, a well-known civil engineer, deeply believed you need in-depth and thorough training to work in the industry.

Bell continued: “We were most struck by the fact that these are three future leaders who are delivering our future energy infrastructure. All of them covered some aspect of renewable energy, so it was interesting to hear their different viewpoints, but they are all involved in our future.”

This year’s final was sponsored by Charles Brand, Skanska, BAM Nuttall, Arup, Kier, Aureos and Tony Gee.

Aiming for professional qualification?

The James Rennie Medal celebrates the role of newly chartered engineers, including CPR and CPR (Progressive) candidates.

The CPR (Progressive) is for candidates who have already passed an Incorporated Professional Review and are aiming to become chartered.

The ICE's professional qualifications for civil engineers, infrastructure engineers and technicians command respect.

Those aiming to become professionally qualified who need advice on next steps should contact the ICE's membership support team for help.

T: +44 (0)121 227 5948

E: [email protected]