Adrian Nettleship

Regional engineering lead, MWH Treatment and senior design manager, @one Alliance

Expertise

Water, Design, Project Management

Location

East Midlands

My highlights

Becoming a Chartered Engineer

Progressing to regional engineering lead

Delivering major programmes including HS2 and water sector investment

I would recommend a career in civil or infrastructure engineering because…

I would recommend a career in civil or infrastructure engineering because it offers the opportunity to make a genuine difference to people's lives.

Every project, whether it's improving water networks, enhancing transport systems, creating resilient communities, or protecting the environment, leaves a lasting impact that people benefit from every day, often without even realising it.

What makes the profession particularly rewarding is the variety. No two challenges are ever quite the same, and there is always something new to learn, improve, or create.

Just as importantly, engineering is a people-focused profession. It brings together individuals from different disciplines, backgrounds, and experiences to solve complex problems and deliver outcomes that matter.

Along the way, you build strong relationships, develop valuable skills, and have the chance to grow personally and professionally.

For anyone who enjoys problem-solving, collaboration, and seeing tangible results from their efforts, civil and infrastructure engineering provides a career that is challenging, fulfilling, and full of opportunity to leave a positive legacy for future generations.

What inspired you to become a civil engineer?

I was drawn to engineering because it combined problem-solving, teamwork, and the opportunity to make a lasting difference.

Early in my career, I enjoyed understanding how things work and finding practical solutions to challenges. But what really kept me in the profession was seeing the impact that good engineering can have on people and communities.

As my career developed, I discovered that civil and infrastructure engineering is about far more than technical design.

It's about bringing together diverse teams, balancing different perspectives, managing complex challenges, and delivering outcomes that improve everyday lives.

Working across the infrastructure and water sectors has given me the opportunity to contribute to projects that support communities, protect the environment, and provide essential services that people rely on every day.

The people I've worked with have been the biggest influence on my journey.

I've been fortunate to learn from talented engineers, leaders, and project teams whose passion and commitment have shaped my own approach to leadership.

Their example showed me that engineering is ultimately a people business, and that creating positive outcomes comes from developing strong relationships, supporting others to succeed, and working together towards a common purpose.

We asked Adrian…

A day in your life…

A day in my life is all about people, relationships, and helping others succeed.

I have the privilege of working with talented engineers, project teams, and clients across the water sector, bringing people together to solve challenges and deliver meaningful outcomes.

Some conversations focus on technical engineering solutions, while others are about developing careers, supporting colleagues, or creating opportunities for teams to grow and thrive.

What I enjoy most is helping to build an environment where people feel empowered, valued, and able to do their best work.

Alongside the day-to-day demands of projects and business growth, I spend time looking ahead, thinking about how we can strengthen our capability, embrace innovation, and create lasting value for our clients and communities.

No two days are ever quite the same, and that's what keeps the role rewarding.

At the heart of it all is a simple goal: bringing out the best in people and leaving things better than I found them.

Complete this phrase: I’m a civil engineer, but I’m also …

...someone who loves helping people grow.

I get the greatest satisfaction from bringing people together, creating opportunities, and seeing individuals and teams build confidence, succeed, and achieve more than they thought possible.

Name one civil or infrastructure engineering myth you'd like to bust.

One myth I’d love to bust is that engineering is all about numbers, calculations, and technical drawings. In my experience, it’s really about people.

The most rewarding part of my career has been working with talented individuals, bringing teams together, and helping others grow.

Great engineering happens when people collaborate, support one another, and combine their different strengths to make a positive difference.

How does your role contribute to addressing climate change?

My role contributes to addressing climate change by helping deliver and improve the infrastructure that communities rely on every day.

Within the water sector, that means supporting projects that enhance resilience, improve efficiency, reduce environmental impact, and help protect precious natural resources.

Just as importantly, I work with teams and individuals to encourage innovation, challenge traditional ways of working, and develop solutions that are more sustainable for the future.

I believe that tackling climate change isn't the responsibility of one person or one project.

It's about empowering people to work together, think differently, and make better decisions that create a lasting positive impact for our communities and the environment.

How does your role contribute to making the industry more diverse and inclusive?

I contribute to making the industry more diverse and inclusive by creating opportunities for people to grow, regardless of their background or experience.

I’m passionate about developing talent, supporting individuals in their careers, and helping people find the confidence to reach their potential.

By fostering an environment where everyone feels valued, heard, and able to contribute, I believe we build stronger teams, make better decisions, and deliver better outcomes.

For me, inclusion is about ensuring people have the opportunity to succeed and feel that they truly belong.

What role does digital technology play in your job?

Digital technology plays an increasingly important role in my job, helping teams collaborate more effectively, make informed decisions, and deliver better outcomes.

From data-driven planning and digital design tools to project dashboards and communication platforms, technology helps us work more efficiently and gain greater insight into the projects we deliver.

I also see digital technology as a key enabler of innovation, helping teams solve challenges in new ways and create more sustainable solutions for the future.

What motivated you to become professionally qualified?

Professional qualification was important to me because it represented a commitment to continuous learning, personal development, and professional excellence.

Having started my career in quality assurance before moving into engineering, I've always believed in challenging myself to grow and develop.

Becoming professionally qualified was an opportunity to demonstrate not only technical competence, but also my ability to lead, collaborate, and make a positive contribution to the profession.

It reinforced my belief that learning never stops and that we should always strive to be better than we were yesterday.

What does being professionally qualified with the ICE mean for your career?

Being professionally qualified with the ICE is something I'm proud of because it reflects the experiences, challenges, and learning that have shaped my career.

It provides an independent recognition of professional competence, but more importantly, it gives confidence to colleagues, clients, and teams that I'm committed to maintaining high professional standards.

It has opened up opportunities to take on greater responsibilities, support and mentor others on their own professional journeys, and contribute more broadly to the engineering profession.

How did the ICE and your employer support you to become professionally qualified? 

Both the ICE and my employers played an important role in supporting my professional development.

Through access to mentors, professional development frameworks, training opportunities, and guidance throughout the process, they helped me build the experience and confidence needed to achieve professional qualification.

Just as importantly, they created opportunities to take on new challenges, broaden my experience, and learn from talented colleagues.

Looking back, the combination of structured support and practical experience was invaluable in helping me achieve my professional goals.

How has being a member helped your career?

Being a member of the ICE has connected me to a wider community of engineers and supported my growth throughout my career.

It has provided opportunities to learn, share experiences, and develop professionally and personally.

Most importantly, it has helped me build relationships with people who are passionate about making a positive difference through engineering.

What’s the biggest/most complex thing you’ve made out of Lego?

The biggest thing I've built out of Lego was the Millennium Falcon, which I built with my children. It took us several days, but there was never any rush to finish it.

The real enjoyment came from spending time together, working through the instructions, solving the occasional challenge, and seeing it gradually come to life piece by piece.

The finished model was impressive, but the memories of building it together are what make it special.

Anything else? i.e. personal causes, hobbies

Away from engineering, my greatest enjoyment comes from spending time with my family, whether that's exploring somewhere new on holiday, enjoying an evening walk, or a round of golf.

I value the balance these activities bring and the opportunity to slow down, reflect, and appreciate the people and experiences that matter most.

Adrian's career path

My route into engineering wasn't traditional.

I spent nine years working in quality assurance at Toyota, where I developed a passion for continuous improvement, problem-solving, and helping teams perform at their best.

Inspired to build on that foundation, I returned to university to study civil and infrastructure engineering, followed by a masters in civil engineering and construction management.

Since then, my career has taken me from local authority engineering with Derbyshire County Council, through major infrastructure projects with COWI, including HS2 and Severn Trent Water, and into the @one Alliance, where I now work as a senior design manager and regional engineering lead for MWH Treatment.

Today, my role combines engineering leadership, developing people, and helping shape the future of engineering delivery across the region.

My journey shows that there is no single pathway into engineering, and that curiosity, determination, and a commitment to continuous learning can open up rewarding opportunities throughout your career.