Liz Rickard
Director, Springrise Consultancy
Expertise
Project Management, Construction, Design, StructuralLocation
North WestMy highlights
Becoming a Fellow with the ICE
Receiving the British Safety Industry Federation Award in 2018
Improving risk, quality and health and safety in the industry
A day in my life
I get up early, around 6am and look after my pets: two cats, a mini Poodle and a Yorky.
On days I’m at home, I’m sat at my desk by 9 am responding to emails or doing maths.
I try to nip out in the day to get a break from sitting down. I usually finish work at around 5 or 6 pm.
Other days I may be on the train to London for the day, or up high in a mobile elevating work platform (MEWP) inspecting buildings.
My fun events are fashion, art and music shows.
Civil engineers bring the dreams of science into reality.
Which individual project or person inspired you to become a civil engineer?
Miffy the rabbit in Dick Brunners’ children’s books because she changed a little bird's life by building it a nice warm house. I was about two years old, and it really impressed me.
We asked Liz…
I would recommend a career in civil engineering because…
It’s amazing! We get to shape the world from our neighbourhoods, towns, cities, homes and application of future technology. Civil engineers bring the dreams of science into reality.
What about being a civil engineer gets you out of bed each morning?
Keeping people safe, improving education and proving that as a woman, I can lead in this field.
Having the chance to be a role model and inspire girls into this sector is motivating.
What’s one great thing that you love about civil engineering that you didn’t know until you started working in the industry?
The use of mathematics – I love the honest language of logic. I also love finding ways to teach it in a simple way that’s easy to understand.
Complete this phrase: I’m a civil engineer, but I’m also …
...a mum, an artist and passionate about fashion and design.
Name one civil engineering myth you’d like to bust.
We’re not all men in tweed suits.
Civil engineering isn’t dirty or dangerous, you can be a woman and a mum and still be an engineer. There are so many different specialisms and job roles to choose from.
What motivated you, or is motivating you, to become professionally qualified?
It was a long-held ambition. But I also wanted to show others who may not think they fit the mould that they can aim for this too.
What does being professionally qualified with the ICE mean for your career?
That by hard work and dedication, I have proved myself as an equal to so many incredible men and women.
What’s the best thing about being professionally qualified with the ICE?
I feel supported and part of a wider engineering community, as well as getting the opportunity to contribute and give back.
How did the ICE and your employer support you to become professionally qualified?
The local ICE team was wonderful.
What do you value most about being an ICE member?
Companionship – being able to debate important issues with true peers and learn from their perspectives.
How has being a member helped your career?
It has broadened my network.
Anything else? i.e. personal causes, hobbies
I’m passionate about showing that girls have the power to shape the world just as much as boys and indeed, alongside them.
Liz's career path
I have a master’s degree in civil engineering and 29 years’ experience.
Major projects
I work on improving education and standards within the height safety sector through my work with the British Standards Institution (BSI) and formal sector training. I've worked on multiple projects.
