Dr David Oloke
head of technical education and apprenticeships, University of Brighton and principal consultant
Expertise
Project Management, StructuralLocation
United KingdomMy highlights
Managed property reinstatement projects from disasters like flooding or fires
Co-edited two editions of the ICE Health and Safety in Construction Manuals
Supervised PhD candidates to completion and been an external examiner too
A day in my life
A typical day varies for me.
Most times, I carry out work relating to the management of the educational programmes I oversee and also attend meetings (virtually or onsite) in relation to my ongoing consultancy projects.
[Civil engineering] is a profession that develops you into a rounded person...
Which individual project or person inspired you to become a civil engineer?
I've always been fascinated by tall buildings since I was a child.
We asked Dr…
I would recommend a career in civil engineering because…
It's a profession that develops you into a rounded person as you interact with the natural environment and use its resources to create the built environment from that interaction continuously.
What’s the biggest/most complex thing you’ve made out of Lego? How long did it take you?
A ship and it took me one day.
Complete this phrase: I’m a civil engineer, but I’m also…
A professional educator and charity director.
What about being a civil engineer gets you out of bed each morning?
The opportunity to make visible contributions to humanity daily. The feeling I get when every design solution of mine is translated to physical assets.
What’s one great thing that you love about civil engineering that you didn’t know until you started working in the industry?
The opportunities available to a civil engineer to make contributions to human and capital developments.
Which civil engineering project (past or present) do you wish you’d worked on?
The Burj Khalifa building in Dubai.
Name one civil engineering myth you’d like to bust.
That ‘civil engineers are restricted to public projects only’. It's not true as most of the projects I've undertaken are by clients in the private sector.
Has civil engineering helped you overcome any personal hurdles/difficulties?
It's made me resilient, and I find problem-solving less challenging in most cases.
What motivated you to become professionally qualified?
I wanted to ensure that I got recognition for the work I was doing as a graduate engineer. Also, to help me progress to the point of being able to mentor others.
What does being professionally qualified with the ICE mean for your career?
It assures colleagues, clients and the community that I can be trusted and given more opportunities for responsibility as I progress.
What’s the best thing about being professionally qualified with the ICE?
It instils confidence. It also facilitates the taking personal responsibility for my actions.
How did the ICE and your employer support you to become professionally qualified?
I had the support of my regional team as a graduate member and was encouraged by mentors.
What do you value most about being an ICE member?
The prestige and the responsibilities attached to being a member of the world’s foremost civil engineering institution is very exciting.
How has being a member helped your career?
I've had the opportunity of promotions and also the reputation of providing independent consultancy advise for almost 20 years as a corporate member.
Anything else?
I like watching good movies and also doing charitable activities underpinned by my Christian faith that enjoins me to do good to all.
David's career path
I have a BEng in civil engineering, a MSc in structural engineering, and a PhD in construction engineering and management.
Major projects
These are some of the projects that I have found most fascinating so far:
- 40 flats, Moseley Road, Birmingham (£15m)
- 30 flats, Kingswood Way, Birmingham (insulated concrete formwork) (£5m)
- RCCG – OH – design of new classroom block, Edgware, London - £1.2m
- 49 Surrey Row building for Metro Design Consultants, London, SE1 - £3.75m
- World Mission Agency redevelopment, Dartford, London - £7m
- RCCG - JH re-development, Brent Cross, London - £2m
- Qatari Embassy basement design and side extension construction - £2m
- Student accommodation (apartments) - Selly Oak, Birmingham (£1.5m)
- Kennel Club Headquarters, Stoneleigh Park (£0.95m)
- ACT-UK Technology Centre building – Coventry University (£3.5m)
- Health Design and Training Institute (HDTI) building – Coventry University (£5m)
- Redevelopment of Hatton Pumping Station, Staffordshire into 22 luxury flats (£5m)
- Proposed industrial units, Lower Cape (£0.75m)
- Coventry and Solihull Waste Disposal Company, furnace hall re-cladding (£0.5m)
- New industrial unit, Tipton (£0.6m)
- Office building and bund wall for Murco Oil, Theale (£0.5m)
- Block of 20 apartments in Erdington, Birmingham (£4.0m)
- Three blocks of 15 flats, Lydiate Ash (£3.2m)
- Four Houses, Canley Road, Coventry (£1.2m)
- Sabke Dam Irrigation and Water Supply Project (Nigeria) (£50m)
- Zobe Water Supply Project (Nigeria) (£100m)
