Elizabeth Griffin-Bennett

Commercial business relationship manager, Environment Agency and CEO and founder, Constructing Change

Expertise

Construction, Water

Location

North West

My highlights

Founding and leading a national initiative driving inclusive changes across the construction industry

Leading major asset and contract management programmes and delivering complex infrastructure projects

Becoming a Fellow of the ICE

A day in my life

No two days are ever the same. As a commercial business relationship manager at the Environment Agency, my mornings often begin with national meetings supporting infrastructure delivery through our frameworks and commercial partnerships.

I work closely with local authorities and delivery partners to navigate commercial challenges and unlock progress on flood risk and resilience schemes.

Afternoons may involve reviewing procurement strategies, contributing to national policy discussions, or preparing for meetings.

Alongside this, I lead Constructing Change, a national initiative focused on creating a more inclusive and diverse construction industry.

Early mornings, evenings, and weekends are often spent building partnerships across government, industry, and education. I coordinate with our growing network of volunteers and develop opportunities for young people to explore careers in construction.

From hosting events and attending meetings, my work is rooted in collaboration, purpose, and impact.

It’s a busy, rewarding balance — helping shape better infrastructure and a better future for the industry.

For those who want a career with purpose, variety, and real-world impact, civil engineering offers a unique and rewarding path.

Which individual project or person inspired you to become a civil engineer?

I didn’t set out to become a civil engineer.

Growing up in a deprived area in the North West, I had little awareness of what engineering involved.

It wasn’t until my early twenties, when I joined Lancashire County Council, that I was introduced to the profession.

I was fortunate to work alongside a team of exceptional engineers who took the time to teach, guide, and encourage me.

Their collective knowledge, professionalism, and pride in their work inspired me to pursue engineering as a career.

It wasn’t just one individual or one project, it was the environment they created and their commitment to public service that showed me the impact I could have.

That opportunity changed the course of my life, and I’ve carried their influence with me ever since.

We asked Elizabeth…

I would recommend a career in civil engineering because…

I would recommend a career in civil or infrastructure engineering because it offers the opportunity to make a lasting difference to people’s lives, places, and the planet.

It’s a career that combines creativity, technical problem-solving, and public value, whether you're designing flood defences, building bridges, or improving how communities connect and thrive.

No two projects are the same, and the challenges you solve today can shape the world for generations.

It's also a field that increasingly values collaboration, innovation, and inclusion.

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

I’m a civil engineer, but I’m also a mother, a carer, and a leader of change.

Juggling these roles has shaped my perspective, teaching me resilience, empathy, and the importance of creating inclusive spaces where everyone can thrive.

Through Constructing Change, I’m working to build a construction industry that reflects the communities it serves and opens real opportunities for young people, especially those from underrepresented backgrounds.

I want the next generation, including my own children, to see that this is a profession where they belong.

What about being a civil engineer gets you out of bed each morning?

What gets me out of bed each morning is knowing that my work as a civil engineer makes a real difference, not just to infrastructure but to people’s lives.

Whether I’m helping to deliver flood resilience projects or creating opportunities for young people, each day brings the chance to solve problems, build meaningful partnerships, and support positive change.

I’m driven by the purpose behind the profession, shaping safer, more inclusive communities and by the belief that engineering is not only about what we build, but who we build it for.

What’s one great thing that you love about civil engineering that you didn’t know until you started working in the industry?

One great thing I love about civil engineering, which I did not fully appreciate until I started working in the industry, is the power of collaboration.

Behind every successful project is a team of people from different disciplines, backgrounds, and experiences working together to solve complex problems.

I quickly learned that engineering is not just about technical skills, but about communication, trust, and shared purpose.

The sense of achievement that comes from working as part of a team delivering something that benefits communities is incredibly rewarding, and something I never expected to enjoy as much as I do.

Name one civil engineering myth you’d like to bust.

One civil engineering myth I would like to bust is that it’s all about hard hats, muddy boots, and building things onsite. That it’s only for a certain type of person.

That could not be further from the truth.

Civil engineering is a broad, creative, and inclusive profession. It involves problem solving, collaboration, innovation, and leadership.

Engineers work in design, planning, digital technology, and policy, as well as onsite.

Most importantly, it’s open to everyone, regardless of background, gender, or whether you took a traditional path into the industry.

If you care about making a difference, there’s a place for you in civil engineering.

What motivated you to become professionally qualified? 

What motivated me to become a Fellow of the ICE was a deep sense of responsibility to give back to the profession that changed my life.

I wanted to use my experience to help shape the future of civil engineering, not only through technical leadership, but by championing diversity, inclusion, and social value.

Achieving Fellowship was a personal milestone that recognised the breadth of my work across infrastructure delivery, public service, and industry transformation.

More importantly, it allows me to support and inspire others, particularly those from non-traditional backgrounds, to see civil engineering as a career where they too can lead and make a difference.

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

Being professionally qualified with the ICE has given my career credibility, recognition, and a strong foundation to build on.

It demonstrates a commitment to high standards, integrity, and continued learning – values that are essential in every aspect of my work.

It has opened doors to new opportunities and more than anything, it gives me the platform to support others coming into the profession.

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

The support I received from the ICE and my employer was invaluable in achieving professional qualification.

My employer gave me the time, opportunities, and encouragement to develop the breadth of experience needed. I was fortunate to work with colleagues who believed in me and shared their knowledge freely.

The ICE regional director was particularly amazing – offering guidance, encouragement, and practical advice throughout the process.

That personal support made a real difference and gave me the confidence to put myself forward. It felt like a shared journey, not something I had to navigate alone.

What do you value most about being an ICE member? 

What I value most about being an ICE member is the sense of belonging to a respected professional community that is committed to improving lives through engineering.

It connects me with others who share the same values, provides opportunities to grow and give back, and gives me a platform to help drive positive change in the industry.

Being part of the ICE has supported my development and expanded my network. It reminded me that my voice, and the voices of others from different backgrounds, matter in shaping the future of civil engineering.

Elizabeth's career path

I didn’t take a traditional route into civil engineering. I began my career in my early twenties after securing a role at Lancashire County Council, where I was introduced to the world of bridges and structures.

While working, I studied part-time to gain the qualifications I needed in civil engineering.

Over the years, I progressed through various roles in local government and the Environment Agency, specialising in bridge design, flood risk management, and commercial infrastructure delivery.

I’m now a Fellow of the ICE and CEO of my own organisation, Constructing Change, a national initiative focused on building a more inclusive construction industry.

My journey shows that there is no single route into engineering, and that with support and determination, it is a career open to all.