Kevin Smith

We asked Kevin…

A day in my life

Start by walking the dog or going for a run, then grab breakfast and head to the office (whether that's driving to the actual client office or walking to the spare bedroom!).

I work a busy eight-hour day consisting of team calls, project work, team and budget management, phone calls with potential new clients and line management.

After work, I’ll head home (or walk through the hall) and help prepare dinner and most importantly, feed the dog!

Some nights I’ll go to musical rehearsals, other nights, box set and chill!

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

...a problem solver, a risk manager, a people person, a good communicator and presenter, approachable, someone in a position of trust and responsibility, someone people value the opinion of.

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

It's not just for men!

How does your role contribute to addressing climate change?

My role is to consider not just the physical project but also all three aspects of sustainability: its economics, the people affected and the wider environment. 

This needs to be considered before and after construction, to encapsulate the whole life cycle of the works from conception to demolition and everything in between.

Any area where carbon emissions can be reduced or removed is to be considered at all stages of the above.

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

As a STEM ambassador, I get to speak to students and pupils from all backgrounds, in terms of culture, ethnicity and sexual orientation.

My presentation is open to all and can be adapted to suit whichever audience is present, and does not discriminate in any way.

I make myself approachable so that any person can ask me any question they wish to.

What role does digital technology play in your job?

Use of office computer packages is commonplace, but I also use computer-aided design (CAD), along with other design packages such as Civils 3D and KeySigns/KeyPosts, among others.

Asset management is captured on digital platforms and computer-based platforms.

AI is now increasingly used to help formulate presentations and reports.

What motivated you to become professionally qualified? 

A need to test and challenge myself to continually improve and to benchmark myself against my peers.

Also to put myself in a position where I could pay it forward and help inspire and mentor the next generation – by being a reviewer and mentor to others, which I now do with the ICE.

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

My professional qualifications helped me become more recognised as a voice that can be trusted, respected and relied upon to help and impart experiences and knowledge to others.

It allows me the opportunity to engage at a higher level within certain organisations and frameworks.

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

The ICE has fantastic membership development officers who are always available to help discuss pathways and progressions. These are made appropriate and tailored for each specific set of circumstances each candidate may have.

My employer was able to help support the application processes and provide mentored support to guide me along the way. Financial support is also given.

How has being a member helped your career? 

In the simplest terms, it has helped provide an extensive network of colleagues and peers outside my own workplace who I can call upon for advice and help.

It has also helped me gain extra recognition and standing in the workplace by having a professional and respected institution behind me.

How has achieving Fellowship impacted your career?

Gaining Fellowship has brought a lot of respect and congratulations from previously unknown parties.

The reach and recognition of gaining Fellowship has been far wider and more noticed than I expected.

On a work footing, it has opened the doors to different events and inclusion in more senior discussions and peer groups.

It's a very valued and noted achievement.

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

A mini Millennium Falcon, complete with Chewbacca – in just one hour!

Any personal causes or hobbies?

I've been a member of an amateur theatre group in Carnoustie for 35 years! I'm a performer and a producer, and help to manage and run the society as its treasurer and committee member (which I've done for 20 years). I've been president of the society twice during that period.

I'm also treasurer for the local Scotland Football supporters club where I also help run buses to all home games at Hampden.

I'm a member of the local ICE area committee (Tayside and Fife) and the ICE Scotland main committee.

I'm proud to support a number of charities, including Cancer Research UK, Guide Dogs, MND Scotland and Doddie’s Lighthouse Foundation.

I run in my spare time and like holidaying, eating, drinking and spending time with my wife of 19 years, Claire, and our dog, Harris.