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ICE North East

Committees

ICE North East's committee and specialist panels bring together like-minded people and give members the opportunity to increase their knowledge, get advice, and raise the profile and standard of civil engineering.

ICE's work in the North East is carried out by the regional committee and regional support team and also includes specialist interest groups. 

Committee members are volunteers and come from a range of backgrounds within the civil engineering profession.

Find out more about how our UK regions are governed.


Join a committee or specialist group

If you have an interest in joining the regional committee or a specialist group, please get in touch at [email protected]

North East regional committee

The regional committee is responsible for setting the direction of ICE in the North East and making sure that the region achieves its aims. The committee is made up of volunteers including representatives from specialist interest groups and sections.

Name Position
Sergio Rodriguez chair
Meshi Taka immediate past chair
tbc regional hon secretary 
Malcolm Cattermole regional hon treasurer 
Andrew Richmond  Northern Geotechnical Group chair 
Charlotte Flower regional education coordinator 
Kirils Holstovs climate change lead and CAG chair
Jess Clarke  FIR action group chair
Adam Wilkinson ECNet co chair
Ruby Alderson ECNet co chair
Graham Yates regional member of council 

Early Careers Network

The ECNet represents over 900 graduate and student, apprentice and technician ICE members living within the region. It organises regular events, seminars, competitions and socials. These help members develop their careers and get support, as well as providing opportunities for like-minded people to meet and network.

The ECNet runs many events and initiatives to get schools and local communities involved in civil engineering.

It's managed by a committee of core members who are elected annually. The committee meets once a month. Key members of the ECNet also sit on the ICE North East regional committee and regional executive board.

If you're interested in joining or getting involved contact the regional support team at [email protected] 

Download the terms of reference

Name Position
Adam Wilkinson co chair
Ruby Alderson co chair

Special interest groups

The North East region's special interest groups (SIGs) focus on particular aspects of civil engineering. The groups are run by members on a voluntary basis, and provide an opportunity to discuss topics, share knowledge and meet up for social activities.

Climate Action Group

The Climate Action Group (CAG) is a voluntary group of member and non-member professionals with a mission to facilitate collaboration between civil engineers and stakeholders in the North East to effectively act on climate change and systematically contribute to the region’s transition to a net zero, sustainable economy.

Get in touch with the regional team in the first instance if you're interested to know more or join the group. Contact [email protected] 

Name Position
Kirils Holstovs chair
Blake Scott treasurer
Nuwanthi Thenakoonwela  ECNet rep
Kathy Kinuthia secretary
William Mortimer outreach coordinator
Mohammadi Mohammadreza outreach coordinator

Fairness, Inclusion and Respect (FIR) Action Group

The newly formed Fairness, Inclusion and Respect (FIR) Action Group is headed up by Jess Clarke.

It was created to help promote diversity and inclusion within the engineering profession, raise awareness of FIR-related issues and challenge and combat stereotypes that are so frequently associated with our profession.

Its mission is to drive positive change by promoting a culture of fairness, inclusion and respect for all individuals across the civil engineering industry, regardless of their career level or background.  

The group aims to spread awareness, prompt discussions, and provide a network of colleagues so every individual feels seen, heard, represented, and respected. The goal is to help foster a culture where individuals are presented with equitable opportunities for growth and self-expression and always feel comfortable to work as themselves. 

The Action Group aim to provide a safe space for individuals to discuss FIR related issues. They will offer training and networking opportunities for individuals and employers to help spread awareness about different cultures and perspectives.  

The group's ultimate goal is to drive positive change within the profession towards a fair, inclusive and respectful industry. 

If you're interested to know more about their work in the region or to join the group, get in touch with the regional team at [email protected] 

Name Position
Jess Clark chair/treasurer
David Olive secretary
Alison Mee member
Wafaa Alijla member

Charlotte Flower heads up our education panel in the North East. 

We are actively recruiting members to join the education panel, please get in touch at [email protected] if you would like to find out more. Download the terms of reference

The Northern Geotechnical Group (NGG) is a focal point for the local geotechnical community.

It organises a full programme of technical meetings and seminars throughout the year.

Anyone with an interest in geotechnical engineering is welcome to come along to events.

Name Position
Andrew Richmond chair
David Hinxman secretary and treasurer

The ICE North East Heritage Panel is a group of civil engineers who are interested in the history of the profession.

It has published regional guides and leaflets on the subject and also works with the national Panel for Historical Engineering Works (PHEW). They identify historical engineering works and, in some cases, preserve and add them to an online database.

The panel also organises heritage walks describing some of Newcastle's historic buildings, structures and notable engineers.

Anyone with an interest in historical engineering is welcome to join the panel. If you'd like to get involved or find out more about talks, walks and other aspects of the panel's work, please contact [email protected]

Download the terms of reference

Heritage links

Name Position
Niall McKay PHEW rep
David Yates member
Donald McCartney member

The ICE North East Seniors Group was formed in 1990 specifically to arrange events and activities for engineers who are retired or nearing retirement. Meetings are held approximately once a month and include:

  • Visits to sites of engineering interest
  • Talks on subjects of historical or present engineering interest, or of a more general/topical interest
  • Social events, including an annual lunch

The group is informal and places particular importance on the social aspects of its activities. Partners of members are particularly welcome to join in. As events and activities are usually held during the daytime, this often provides the opportunity to enjoy a leisurely and sociable lunch in a convivial atmosphere

A quarterly newsletter is circulated (latest copy available on request from [email protected]). 

A modest annual subscription fee (currently £10) is made for membership of the group and this supports financial underwriting of its activities.

If you're a retired or semi-retired ICE member or are still working but able to come to day-time meetings, the group would like to hear from you.

Name Position
Neil Buchanan president
Eric Valentine chair
Mike Wade immediate past chair
Chris Norris treasurer
Malcolm Smith membership secretary
John Roper events coordinator
Paul Fenwick member
Doug Shearer account examiner
Margot Wade newsletter editor