Katy Dowding
President and CEO, Skanska
Expertise
Construction, Project ManagementLocation
United KingdomMy highlights
My very first project – an office and warehouse at a brewery in Southampton
Becoming president and CEO of Skanska in 2023
Becoming a Fellow of the ICE
A day in my life
Each day, I can be somewhere different – whether that’s at our head office in Watford, our project sites across the country or meeting with our customers.
I get out onsite as much as possible. That’s where you really understand what’s going on in the business.
Relationship building is an essential part of my job. Industry networking, helping our customers, engaging with government and leading my colleagues are all key elements of my role.
I split my time between short and long-term activities, making sure there’s time to think strategically between all the meetings.
I usually go for a short brisk walk at lunchtime to keep my mind fresh for a busy afternoon ahead.
An engineer working in construction could be involved in high-tech projects just as exciting as working for a Formula 1 team.
Which individual project or person inspired you to become a civil engineer?
When I was at college in my last year of studying my A-levels, I asked my friend what he was going to do when he left. He told me he was going to be a quantity surveyor.
I asked him what that meant and he said it was to do with maths and the law and involved working on building sites.
I thought it sounded interesting, so I applied for a position, and I managed to get my first job in the industry with Tarmac as a trainee quantity surveyor.
This led to a long and varied career in construction from commercial to engineering.
We asked Katy…
I would recommend a career in civil engineering because…
The work you do really makes a difference for society.
Whether it’s creating or improving transport links, new buildings or enhancing the infrastructure to provide water and energy – the work of civil engineers touches everyone’s lives every day.
Complete this phrase: I’m a civil engineer, but I’m also…
...a passionate advocate for inclusion.
Our industry has so much more to do to become an attractive, welcoming sector for everyone to work in.
It’s also essential that our teams properly reflect the make-up of the communities in which we work.
When we get inclusion right, everyone benefits.
Diverse teams deliver better results. Inclusion enables us to attract and retain the very best talent and improves the wellbeing of all our people.
We must continue to nurture an inclusive environment. One that fosters the growth and development of our future leaders and unlocks the huge potential within our industry.
What’s the biggest/most complex thing you’ve made out of Lego?
I was part of joint venture with my friends to build the infamous Millennium Falcon.
What about being a civil engineer gets you out of bed each morning?
I get the biggest thrill when my teams get recognition for the great work they do.
For example, when you’ve got a client telling us we’ve done a really good job, I am so proud.
Delivering for our customers is a huge motivation.
What’s one great thing that you love about civil engineering that you didn’t know until you started working in the industry?
The incredible range of different geologies we encounter.
Each project can present unique geological challenges and opportunities, from rocky terrains to soft soils, requiring tailored engineering solutions.
Which civil engineering project (past or present) do you wish you’d worked on?
I love everything about the Oresund Bridge, which is a five-mile road and rail bridge connecting Denmark and Sweden which Skanska built.
It opened in July 2000 and it’s an amazing piece of engineering.
It not only looks incredible, but it has added huge value to nearby communities by physically connecting two countries.
It has also enhanced the biodiversity of the area because its underwater parts have become covered in marine organisms and act as an artificial reef.
I’ve travelled under it and over it many times, and its sheer scale and beauty never fails to astonish me.
Name one civil engineering myth you’d like to bust.
One civil engineering myth I'd like to bust is that the construction industry is dirty and dangerous.
We have something of an image problem and that means many people might think that construction isn’t for them.
In reality, an engineer working in construction could be involved in high-tech projects just as exciting as working for a Formula 1 team.
It's a tough challenge for our sector, but by changing perceptions early on, we can show that construction offers dynamic and rewarding career opportunities.
What motivated you to become professionally qualified?
There’s a significant amount of meaning and substance that comes with being professionally.
Achieving these qualifications demonstrates a high level of expertise and commitment to the field and of course it also provides a sense of personal accomplishment.
What does being professionally qualified with the ICE mean for your career?
By becoming a Fellow I hope to inspire others to pursue their own professional qualifications – it's a valuable way to demonstrate your skills and experience.
What’s the best thing about being professionally qualified with the ICE?
The ICE provides lots of valuable networking opportunities to meet other engineering experts.
How did the ICE and your employer support you to become professionally qualified?
At Skanska we offer sponsorship opportunities for colleagues wanting to pursue professional development.
This includes full funding, study leave and professional membership subscriptions.
And, there’s always colleagues who are willing to offer guidance, support and mentoring to help other achieve their qualifications.
The ICE provides an opportunity to meet a wider network of professionals and learn from their extensive knowledge and experience too.
Anything else? i.e. personal causes, hobbies
I enjoy going to the theatre and walking long distances.
One of my ambitions is to walk the South West Coast Path which runs 900 miles from Minehead in Somerset all the way around to Swanage in Dorset.
Katy's career path
I started out as a trainee quantity surveyor at Tarmac/Carillion and progressed to become project manager.
At the same time, I studied my bachelor’s degree in quantity surveying at Southbank University and then went on to do a master’s degree at University College London.
Fourteen years later, I joined Skanska as a senior commercial manager. I had a variety of roles after that – project manager, business development and even leading a HR project. I wanted to get a real breadth of experience across the business.
Over the years, I’ve undertaken numerous professional development progammes as well as industry specific qualifications.
For example, I am also a Fellow of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS).
I joined Skanska’s executive team in 2017 with responsibility for our construction, mechanical electrical engineering and facilities management operations.
I became president and CEO in 2023.
Major projects
I have extensive experience working on a diverse range of projects, including:
- highways
- naval bases
- army barracks
- warehouses
- schools
- fibre cable installations
- regional gas works
As managing director for our facilities management operations, I oversaw the maintenance and operation of buildings and estates for our clients.
After that I was responsible for executive-level oversight of our construction operations across all sectors.
I also served on the joint venture board for Skanska's work on the HS2 project.
