ICE South East Fellows debate: How can we better communicate the benefits of infrastructure to those who are impacted by it?

David Porter

David Porter is director of engineering with the Department for Infrastructure, which is Northern Ireland’s highways authority. In this role, he is also the chief highways engineer and head of the civil engineering profession in the Northern Ireland civil service.

Porter is responsible for the development of the department’s professional and technical staff, engineering policies and standards, and health and safety. He also leads on procurement and the internal consultancy.

Previously, he was chief executive of the Rivers Agency, Northern Ireland’s flood defence and drainage authority.

Porter has served on the ICE Council three times, twice as the Northern Ireland representative and once as a general member. He is a trustee who, until recently, held the learning society portfolio. He has also served on several institution committees and panels.

A fellow of the Irish Academy of Engineering, Porter was awarded the Poskitt Medal by ICE Northern Ireland in 2017 and the President’s Award by Engineers Ireland in 2018.

Nick Gray

Nick Gray is Commercial Manager at J T Mackley & Co. Ltd and Commercial Director for Future Water, the joint venture delivering the Havant Thicket Reservoir, the UK’s first new reservoir in nearly 40 years. A Fellow of the Institution of Civil Engineers and a Chartered Civil Engineer, he has over 25 years’ experience across major infrastructure, water, marine and environmental projects, specialising in commercial leadership, NEC contracting, and complex change management. Nick sits on Mackley’s Senior Leadership Team and leads commercial governance and NEC contract strategy on nationally significant projects operating within demanding regulatory, consenting and funding frameworks. Nick works closely with clients to reconcile delivery risk, value for money and long term resilience. He is also Regional Chair for ICE South East England, promoting professional standards, collaboration and skills development across the industry.