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George Davies

George Davies

sub agent, Galliford Try

Expertise

Project Management, Construction, Water

Location

United Kingdom
My highlights

Part of the ICE Inspire scholarship with BAM Nuttall

Working within the water sector on the AMP 6 & AMP 7 Southern Water frameworks

Completing a temporary works design secondment

A day in my life

My current day-to-day life starts at 7am.

I get to site and begin the day with a pre-start shift briefing.

Here I ensure all the operatives and workers are aware of the planned activities onsite that day along with any risks associated with the activities.

Once work has started, I complete a walk around site with the foreman to ensure everything is set up safely and everything is in place for the day's work.

I’m then continuously planning forward for future parts of the works.

This means I’m on many calls with the project manager, supervisors, designer, contractors, planners and anyone who may be involved with the project to ensure we’re prepared for the forthcoming work.

Before the day ends, I complete another site walk around to ensure we’ve finished safely as the shift draws to a close.

If you’re looking for a place to grow and develop in many ways, then civil engineering is the career for you.

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

One project that blew me away when I was younger was the Millau Viaduct.

It was one of the first structures I saw that got me thinking: how have they done that?

It most definitely inspired me to commit to a career in civil engineering.

We asked George…

I would recommend a career in civil engineering because…

I would recommend a career in civil engineering for many reasons.

One of the main reasons for me is the diverse nature of the industry.

In my career I’ve been able to work alongside people from all different backgrounds.

This includes different cultural, ethnic and educational backgrounds.

I’ve found this to be a fantastic place to work as it creates an environment for all individuals to share knowledge and experience.

If you’re looking for a place to grow and develop in many ways, then civil engineering is the career for you.

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

A kickboxer.

During my years at university, I trained and competed when I wasn’t studying.

I also had a year following my degree where I trained and competed full time.

This led to opportunities to compete in Romania and Poland.

My biggest achievement was becoming the IKF Cruiserweight Professional Champion (albeit this was a bit closer to home in Hastings).

I now coach, corner and train in my spare time at my home gym in Southampton.

What’s the biggest/most complex thing you’ve made out of Lego? How long did it take you?

Very good question. I’m a big Star Wars fan so of course it’s Star Wars related.

It was the Millenium Falcon and if I remember correctly it took me a weekend.

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

The thought that my work is truly making a difference to the society and infrastructure that we live in today.

I also believe that through the work we complete as civil engineers will have a direct influence on improving the livelihood for future generations to come as we commit to tackle climate change.

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

The diversity of the industry. I really do believe it’s the industry of opportunity and from whatever background you are from, you can have a fantastic career in civil engineering.

Which civil engineering project (past or present) do you wish you’d worked on?

Any bridge across the Thames. Would’ve loved to have been a part of the creation of such historic and fascinating structures.

Also the Great Pyramid of Giza. How on earth did they build that with the technology and resources available at the time?!

Has civil engineering helped you overcome any personal hurdles/difficulties?

Absolutely. The main one for me was confidence with communication.

I was able develop my personal and social skills to a much better place.

When I started out, I was relatively shy.

Civil engineering has given me the confidence to communicate to individuals at all levels and to present in front of a number of people.

What motivated you to become professionally qualified? 

A big motivation for me was the opportunities that came with being professional qualified.

It pushed me to the limit, and I’ve found myself to grow and develop at a much faster rate than if I hadn’t completed the training.

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

It means a lot. For me it has given me the confidence to manage and lead within the industry and really has made me believe in myself and realise my potential.

I believe it has already provided me with many opportunities and I’m very excited to see what the future holds!

What’s the best thing about being professionally qualified with the ICE? 

To be able to network with some of the industry's leading experts!

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

Incredibly well.

I had a supervising civil engineer throughout my time who met with me every three months and guided me in the right direction.

I was also provided with the opportunity to complete a design secondment which aided me to sign off the last few attributes and really helped me prepare for my review.

The ICE was also great as I met with a membership development officer on a yearly basis and attended events regularly.

I was also a member of the GSA South East committee where I found much development.

What do you value most about being an ICE member? 

I take immense pride in being a part of such a prestigious and historic institution.

What I personally value most is the access to such helpful knowledge and resources and to be able to network with some fantastic individuals within civil engineering.

How has being a member helped your career? 

In many ways.

But the most prominent way is the opportunities it provides at a young stage within your career.

I feel I’ve grown and developed at a much faster rate than if I hadn’t completed the training.

Anything else?

A personal ambition of mine is to work abroad. I think it’s an education in itself to experience different cultures and understand how they do things.

I would be particularly interested in helping improve the water infrastructure in a developing country.

Construct a vehicle bridge across a massive valley in southern France

Millau Viaduct

Construct a vehicle bridge across a massive valley in southern France

Extend the South Eastern Railway to north of the River Thames and provide a City of London terminal.

Cannon Street Railway Bridge

Extend the South Eastern Railway to north of the River Thames and provide a City of London terminal.

Provide the first crossing of the River Thames in London

London Bridge

Provide the first crossing of the River Thames in London

Tower Bridge, a bascule and suspension bridge, was built to aid movement between London’s industrial East and the rest of the Thames Stretch. Its unique bascule design enabled it to ‘lift’ to allow incoming and outgoing river traffic to pass underneath it.

Tower Bridge

Tower Bridge, a bascule and suspension bridge, was built to aid movement between London’s industrial East and the rest of the Thames Stretch. Its unique bascule design enabled it to ‘lift’ to allow incoming and outgoing river traffic to pass underneath it.

Albert Bridge is a hybrid cable-stayed bridge that crosses the river Thames in the Kensington and Chelsea borough of London.

Albert Bridge

Albert Bridge is a hybrid cable-stayed bridge that crosses the river Thames in the Kensington and Chelsea borough of London.

George's career path

I studied an MEng in civil engineering with an industrial placement year at the University of Surrey.

I completed placements with BAM Nuttall as a trainee and assistant engineer at AWE and Heathrow.

I joined Galliford Try following graduation as a site engineer and worked up to section engineer. And I’m now a sub agent working on the SW AMP 6 and AMP 7 frameworks.

I also completed a design secondment with Galliford Try in their temporary works design office.

During my time with Galliford Try I completed my professional development training to become a Chartered Engineer and a member of the ICE.