Awards

Stephen Christian

I am a senior contracts manager with 45 years of experience in the civil engineering industry working for a regional contractor. Throughout this time I have worked to develop relationships with our designers, suppliers and clients. Working with them to achieve the scheme they envisaged in a timely cost effective manner. 

My achievements have been based on technically challenging temporary works requirements that have required innovative solutions.  This has led to me becoming both the contractors responsible engineer and engineering manager for Network Rail schemes. 

Recently as  design co-ordinator I have managed a programme of Outline Design for Low Risk Debris Screens across the midlands working closely with our designers to provide a buildable solution that is code compliant.

I have been chair of the Suffolk Branch of the ICE for 7 years.

Kirstie Broadbent

Kirstie Broadbent is an Associate in Geotechnical Engineering at Robert Bird Group and a Chartered Fellow of the ICE with experience across major UK infrastructure projects, including Crossrail and HS2.

She brings a distinctive blend of industry and academic expertise, having held various roles with contractors such as Skanska and Kier followed by her position as a Senior Lecturer & programme leader in civil and geotechnical engineering at the University of Hertfordshire.

An active ICE mentor and experienced awards judge, Kirstie offers deep technical insight, professional rigour, and a strong commitment to developing the next generation of engineers.

Lewis Hubbard

Lewis is a chartered civil engineer with extensive experience leading the planning, design and construction of urban infrastructure across the UK.

Lewis brings particular expertise in the design of healthy streets, sustainable drainage systems and utilities, marshalling infrastructure in the service of urban design.

Andy Alder

Andy is a civil engineer and leader of major infrastructure programmes. He is currently Managing Director of Major Infrastructure Delivery at Anglian Water, responsible for leading circa £3bn of strategic infrastructure projects to secure future water supply, enhance the natural environment and enable economic growth. These include the 600km strategic interconnector programme to deliver a water supply network across the east of England.

Andy was previously Programme Director for Tideway, and led the design and construction of major projects including Crossrail Western Tunnels, Dublin Tram and Docklands Light Railway Extensions.

Andy is a Chartered Civil Engineer and Chartered Project Professional, and a Fellow of the Institution of Civil Engineers and the Association for Project Management. He is chair of the ICE’s Audit Committee and ICE’s group leading improvements in productivity in the infrastructure sector and engineering safety management.

Agnieszka Read

I am an Engineering Manager and Fellow of the Institution of Civil Engineers, specialising in Construction Engineering with expertise spanning both permanent and temporary works design.

My career has bridged structural design, temporary works management, and engineering leadership on major infrastructure and development projects, delivering complex and innovative construction solutions in challenging environments. Alongside project delivery, I actively support the profession as an ICE Reviewer and contributor to the Temporary Works forum, promoting industry best practice and professional development.

I was also a finalist for the 2026 Inspiring Women in Construction and Engineering Awards in the Inspirational Leader – Contractor category.

Claire Lepoutre

Claire has over 25 years experience working with UK based contractors. Her experiences span projects of all sizes, across many sectors at preconstruction, delivery and handover stages. She is a Fellow of the Institution of Civil Engineers currently working as Technical Services Director at Skanska, where she is responsible for planning, digital delivery, engineering surveying, GIS, and project controls.

Nicola Oldfield

Nicola has over 35 years’ experience working in flood risk management, in both consultancy and for the Environment Agency.

Nicola has been Chief Engineer to the Middel Level Commissioners since 2023 leading the engineering and operational teams that manage water within the Cambridgeshire Fens. With a keen interest in the history of Fenland drainage Nicola takes every opportunity to promote civil engineering alongside the activities of the Commissioners.

As an active member and secretary of the ICE Peterborough Branch for 20 years she supported professional learning and promoted civil engineering to students, prospective members, and the wider communities that benefit.

Oliver Dodd

Oliver is one of two directors and the founder at Flood & Civil, a team of innovative and passionate civil engineers and flood risk experts. Oliver has design and consultancy experience working in all sectors, from commercial to residential, industrial, education, parks and public realm, sports venues and more.

With over a decade specialising in sustainable drainage, flood risk, infrastructure and highways design, Oliver brings a wealth of knowledge and creative approach to each and every challenge.

Jennifer Laight

Dr Jennifer Laight is an Associate Director, Climate and Sustainability Services and manages the Environment Agency's Collaborative Delivery Framework across the Midlands and North East & Yorkshire for Arup.

Jennifer is a Fellow of the ICE and specialises in leading infrastructure projects, predominately in the field of flood risk management, resilience and adaption, and helps her clients to deliver impactful solutions through a whole systems approach.

Stuart Payne

Stuart is an engineering manager for Kier Design, a Chartered Member of the ICE and also Chair of the Norfolk Branch of the ICE .

He is enthusiastic about generating buildable and sustainable solutions to engineering challenges faced on the projects we deliver as Civil Engineers.

Stuart is looking forward to reviewing and celebrating the great engineering achievements of teams and individuals from across our region this year as part of the Merit awards.

Katerina Spitieri

I am a Chartered Civil Engineer with over 20 years’ experience leading asset strategy and lifecycle management across complex infrastructure environments.

Currently the Asset Investment Director at Connect Plus, I oversee long-term asset strategies and handback readiness. My career includes pivotal roles at Transport for London, where I served as Department Representative on complex contracts, managing stakeholder interfaces and strategic risks, including the A13 DBFO and Silvertown Tunnel PFI.

I actively support talent development as a Delegated Engineer, Mentor and reviewer, and I am honoured to serve as a judge at the ICE East of England Merit Awards.

Chris Clarke

Chris is a Chartered Civil Engineer and currently holds the role of Interim Head of Structural and Geotechnical Engineering for Kier Design, based in the Norwich office.

With over 20 years’ experience in structural engineering, primarily in the transportation sector, he specialises in technical leadership, design assurance, and project delivery on complex infrastructure schemes. Chris has held key roles on major programmes such as HS2 and national rail projects.

A graduate of Loughborough University, he is also a Supervising Civil Engineer, supporting the development of future professionals. He is recognised for delivering high-quality engineering solutions and building strong, collaborative teams.

Mairead McGeeney

A chartered civil engineer with 20 years' experience in the construction industry working with Laing O'Rourke on some of the more icon projects across the UK.

I have worked on hospitals, ports, shopping centres, high-rise residential, rail and now power. I am currently a project director leading an expansion of a substation for National Grid, critical national infrastructure for the UK to enable digital growth. This project is a significant scheme, located in north London.

Craig Hopkinson

Craig Hopkinson is the Sustainability Programme Manager for the multi-billion-pound Reservoir Programme at Anglian Water, where he leads the integration of sustainability principles across major infrastructure delivery. With prior experience on the Strategic Pipeline Alliance, he has played a key role in shaping and implementing sustainability strategies for large-scale water projects.

A graduate of Loughborough University in International Business, Craig combines strong commercial awareness with a passion for environmental stewardship. He is particularly focused on embedding carbon-conscious cultures within project teams, ensuring sustainability is not only considered but actively delivered in practice.