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Type
Webinar

Engineering leadership in the age of disruption

Event organised by ICE

Date
16 October 2025
Time

This event has now ended

Overview

Join us for 16 October at 11:00 UK, 18:00 East Asia and Southeast Asia, 21:00 Sydney.

The session will focus on Engineering Leadership in the Age of Disruption, examining how engineers can lead effectively in a rapidly changing world. Disruption caused by technological innovation, shifting societal expectations, and global challenges such as climate change and digital transformation is reshaping the way infrastructure is planned, delivered, and maintained. Strong, adaptive leadership is essential for engineers to navigate these changes and continue delivering value to society.  

This session will highlight personal experiences and lessons learned from two distinguished leaders: Gandhi Suppiah, a Regional Director, Managing Principal, Global Engineering Lead, and Michael Barron, Chief Technical Officer for Mott MacDonald in Asia Pacific and Australasia. Together, they will reflect on the challenges of leading diverse teams, managing uncertainty, and fostering innovation in large-scale transport projects and beyond. 

The format will include a 5-minute introduction and speaker profiles, followed by a 35-minute moderated conversation with both speakers. Selected participants will then be invited to share short reflections, before concluding with a live audience Q&A. The event will provide graduate and professional members alike with insights into leadership, resilience, and collaboration in a disruptive era.

Programme

11:00 - 11:05

Welcome and introduction

11:05 - 11:40

Conversation with both speakers

11:40 - 11:50

Reflections from selected participants

11:50 - 12:00

Live audience Q&A

Speakers

Ir. Gandhi Suppiah

Ir. Gandhi Suppiah

TSA Riley Ltd

regional director and principal for south east asia

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Ir. Gandhi Suppiah

S. Gandhi Suppiah CEng FICE is a Chartered Civil Engineer with over 25 years of international experience delivering complex infrastructure projects across the UK, Australia, and Southeast Asia, with a portfolio exceeding USD $10 billion. He has led major developments across the full project lifecycle in highways, urban transport, aviation, and sustainable cities.

As Managing Director and Regional Director for Southeast Asia, Gandhi brings a strategic and pragmatic leadership approach, underpinned by technical depth and a commitment to sustainable development. He currently serves as one of the lead advisor on Davao Public Transport Modernisation Project (DPTMP) in the Philippines, one of Southeast Asia’s largest public transport modernisation programmes funded by the ADB.

Since 2017, Gandhi has played a central role in growing ICE’s footprint in Malaysia. As ICE Malaysia Chair (2023–2025), he led the successful ICE Malaysia Conference 2025, initiated the Southeast Asia Speaker Tour, and strengthened policy-level engagement with ministries and local authorities. He actively supports collaboration with academic institutions, government stakeholders, and the industry to promote UK engineering excellence and shape the future of infrastructure across the region.

Michael Barron

Michael Barron

Mott MacDonald

regional technical officer, asia pacific and australasia

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Michael Barron

Michael Barron is a Chartered Engineer with over 35 years of experience leading major transport infrastructure projects worldwide.

From his early career in transport planning and bridge design, he has progressed to become Chief Technical Officer for Mott MacDonald in Asia Pacific and Australasia. Michael has played a pivotal role in shaping Sydney Metro, from the groundbreaking Northwest line to City & Southwest and beyond, embedding innovation, collaboration, and customer-focused design.

His global experience spans high-speed rail, airports, bridges, and metro systems, and he is passionate about building high-performing teams and mentoring future leaders in engineering.

For more information please contact:

Thomas Compton