Inclusive outreach champion named 2026 ICE STEM Ambassador of the Year

Tanya Donkin, a Derby-based design lead at Mott MacDonald Bentley, won the East Midlands regional award for her dedication to strengthening the visibility of civil and infrastructure engineering across schools and colleges.

Donkin’s enthusiasm for STEM activities is clear. She led 41 students through placements with design activities, site visits and presentations.

Donkin also supported the Girlguiding Magical Midlands event which attracted a whopping 6,500 Rainbows, Brownies, Guides and Ranger.

Anna Tyler took home the 2026 East of England prize for showing a real passion for supporting young people and encouraging them to see the opportunities available in STEM.

Her mentoring of Year 9 students for the Engineering Development Trust Bronze Project is a great example of how she makes engineering more interesting and accessible.

She has also made a strong contribution through the ICE Early Careers Network, helping to bring people together and build a wider engineering community.

Tyler said: "Participating in the Bronze Project scheme as a mentor was an incredibly rewarding experience – aside from getting to see how the students approached their challenges and getting the joy of guiding them through it, it was just a lot of fun!

"In that sense, being a STEM Ambassador is its own reward, and I only wish I had more time for such activities."

Afua Essel won the London award for 2026 for the "breadth" and "depth" of her STEM outreach, according to the judges.

Essel independently designed and delivered a "remarkable" range of programmes spanning primary and secondary schools, public libraries and her local community. 

Some of her activities include STEMAZINGKids workshops, holiday STEM clubs, Bridges4Schools engineering projects, and more.

She demonstrated a sustained and genuine commitment to making engineering accessible to everyone, not just those who already feel it is for them.

Áine McCaffrey’s took home the award for Northern Ireland for demonstrating a passion for STEM outreach that has inspired hundreds of young people, educators, and parents across the country.

Her journey into civil engineering began at an open evening at Queen’s University Belfast, where she heard a female engineer speak about her career.

This engineer’s story sparked McCaffrey’s interest in the profession and helped her realise that civil engineering was the right path for her.

Today, McCaffrey uses her own experience to encourage others, particularly young women, to explore careers in engineering and construction.

From delivering hands-on workshops for primary school pupils to leading sustainability-focused activities linked to wastewater treatment projects, she combines creativity, enthusiasm, and real-world experience to make STEM engaging and accessible.

Speaking about her passion for engineering, she said: "I love knowing that every day I’m learning something new and contributing to projects that make a difference to people’s lives."

Through school visits, careers events, and industry engagement, she has shared her apprenticeship journey with students, teachers, and employers, helping to challenge stereotypes and showcase alternative routes into engineering.

Charlotte Osborne, the 2026 ICE North West winner, is a driving force for STEM outreach across the Liverpool City Region (LCR), where she’s involved with the LCR Employer Network’s ‘All About STEM’ initiative. 

She organises work experience placements that allow students to complete project tasks, receive tailored feedback and have exposure to live projects.

Teachers report students leave feeling more confident and with a clear understanding of civil engineering careers.

In her workplace, Osborne embeds STEM engagement directly into project-related social value commitments – ensuring outreach is a core part of project delivery.

The judges commended her for affecting wider change and creating a positive legacy.

Osborne said: "Inspiring the next generation to pursue careers in STEM has been a passion of mine since the very start of my career, and over the past six years I have built strong, lasting relationships with local schools and colleges.

"To have this work recognised by the ICE is a true honour, and I am excited about what lies ahead in the next stages of my career."

Angus MacGregor, business development manager at BAM UK & Ireland, has been recognised as Scotland’s STEM Ambassador of the Year for his commitment to providing STEM outreach to over 1,200 young people in the last year.

Travelling to remote areas of Scotland, MacGregor reached schools that historically have received low levels of outreach from the STEM community.

MacGregor further worked with BAM to develop a bespoke bridges to schools workshop, allowing school pupils the opportunity to construct a 12-meter-long model cable stay bridge.

This workshop is now delivered at least 30 days per calendar year across the country thanks to his commitment.

The judges were impressed by MacGregor’s holistic commitment to STEM outreach, continually finding ways to improve his engagement, while also encouraging and helping colleagues to get involved.

MacGregor said, "Maintaining outreach to schools, colleges and universities over a sustained period of 16 years has allowed me to see young people I have connected with, across different activities and age groups, grow and flourish. 

"It is nourishing for me to receive feedback from young people and to be remembered when we return with the next activity, and now to receive this award, I’m delighted."

Bradley Yates, project manager at Ensign, Colas, impressed the judges with his dedication to STEM outreach, as he’s been an active ambassador for over 30 years.

Jamie Lloyd, a sub agent with Kier, based in Poole in Dorset, was recognised for his innovative approach to STEM outreach, working with local schools and colleges to bring civil engineering to life through hands-on activities.

The ICE South West judges said Lloyd’s entry “truly stood out”, praising the wide range of ways he engages young people.

They highlighted his strong commitment to promoting different pathways into the profession and the authentic voice he brings to his volunteering.

They were particularly impressed by the ethos underpinning his work – that young people need to experience engineering, not just hear about it.

This is reflected in the activities Lloyd has developed for schools, including an impressive flood engineering model.

Lloyd said: "Simply explaining engineering careers to young people isn’t enough. I believe they are most likely to choose to become a civil engineer if they actually experience what it feels like to solve problems and think differently. 

"When students can test ideas, make decisions and see the impact, it becomes real for them. They start to recognise that they already have the mindset to be an engineer, how rewarding this can feel and the impact they could make in this career. 

"As someone who didn’t follow a traditional academic route, I actively challenge misconceptions around engineering pathways. It’s so important that young people from all background see civil engineering as something they can be part of."

Fatima Almaarofi, a Birmingham-based interface manager at SYSTRA Ltd UK, won the West Midlands regional award for her dedication to strengthening the visibility of civil engineering across schools, colleges and community settings.

Almaarofi has volunteered at over 10 different types of career days over the last year and participated in the GirlGuiding Midlands Magical event which attracted a whopping 6,500 Rainbows, Brownies, Guides and Rangers.

The judges collectively commended Almaarofi’s enthusiasm for STEM activities across the region.