Nicola Henderson-Reid

Head of rail, Middle East and Africa, Mace Consult

Expertise

Project Management, Construction

Location

Saudi Arabia

My highlights

Leading Mace's rail business across Middle East and Africa

Working on projects such as HS2 and Curzon Street Station, helping to deliver infrastructure that will benefit communities for generations

Seeing team members develop, gain confidence and go on to achieve great things

A day in my life

No two days are the same.

I spend time shaping our rail strategy across the Middle East and Africa, meeting clients, working with partners and supporting our project teams.

Some days I'm discussing future railways and transport systems, while others are focused on solving challenges or helping colleagues develop their careers.

I travel regularly across the region and enjoy meeting people from different cultures and backgrounds.

The variety is what makes the job so interesting.

Civil engineering is incredibly collaborative. Success rarely comes from one individual, it comes from diverse teams working together towards a shared goal.

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

There wasn't one particular person or project that inspired me. What attracted me to the industry was the challenge.

I love bringing people together from different backgrounds, skills and experiences to achieve something bigger than any one person could deliver alone.

Over nearly 25 years, I've seen ideas on paper become railways, stations and infrastructure that improve lives and connect communities. It's about the people who use them and the legacy they leave behind.

Knowing that something I have led will benefit others for decades to come is incredibly rewarding.

We asked Nicola…

I would recommend a career in civil engineering because…

Civil engineering is one of the few careers where you can point to something years later and say, "I made that happen".

The projects we deliver connect communities, support economies and improve everyday lives.

It combines creativity, teamwork and problem-solving, and there are so many different paths you can follow.

Most importantly, it's a career where you can make a lasting difference and help shape the future.

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

...a leader, mentor and advocate for women in infrastructure.

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

The challenge.

I enjoy solving complex problems, making decisions and bringing people together to achieve something they couldn't deliver alone.

I like seeing progress, overcoming obstacles and knowing that the work we're doing is making a difference.

Just as important is seeing people develop, enjoy their work and get the same opportunities to grow that I was fortunate enough to have throughout my career.

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

The people. Civil engineering is incredibly collaborative.

Success rarely comes from one individual, it comes from diverse teams working together towards a shared goal

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

Crossrail (the Elizabeth line). I remember watching The £15 Billion Railway documentary and looking forward to every episode.

The scale and ambition of the project were incredible.

I would have loved to have been part of a programme that has transformed London and will benefit people for generations to come

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

That civil engineers spend all day doing calculations.

Modern civil engineering is just as much about leadership, communication, innovation, sustainability and teamwork as it is about technical expertise.

What do you value most about being an ICE member? 

The people.

Being an ICE member has connected me with an incredible network of professionals who are passionate about improving the world around us.

I've learned a lot from others throughout my career, and I value the opportunity to give something back through mentoring, volunteering and supporting the next generation

How has being a member helped your career?

It gives people confidence in your experience and achievements.

The ICE is a respected professional institution, and Fellowship is one of the highest honours in the industry.

When you walk into a room, people understand what it represents.

I'm proud of what it says about the standards, professionalism and leadership I've demonstrated throughout my career

Anything else? i.e. personal causes, hobbies

Outside work, my biggest passion is travel. It's food for the soul.

I love experiencing different cultures, meeting new people and exploring the architecture and history that shape places and communities around the world

Nicola's career path

I've been working for over 40 years and have spent almost 25 years in the engineering and infrastructure industry.

I didn't follow a traditional route, but through hard work and taking opportunities as they arose, I built a career leading major rail and infrastructure programmes.

Today, I lead Mace's rail business across the Middle East and Africa and am proud to be a Fellow of the Association for Project Management (APM) and the ICE.

My advice is simple: work hard, stay curious and don't be afraid to try something new