Shaping the future of engineering through leadership and collaboration

Tony Gee collaborate with Kent County Council to support the local ICE Kent and East Sussex Branch host the ICE President, David Porter for a productive day of events.

The first event of the afternoon, we lead a debate on the ‘The value of technicians as leaders: why they are essential to thought leadership, shaping policy and embracing diversity and inclusion for industry and institutions’ held at Mid Kent College. This event brought together two Presidents from different professional engineering organisations, welcoming David Porter, President of ICE, and Jason Clark, President of CIPHE, alongside other technician leaders from local businesses.

The event brought together consultants, clients and contractors from across the industry to explore the important role technicians play beyond traditional delivery, and how their practical experience, technical judgement and thought leadership helps shape the industry’s future. Liam Kimberley FICE led the debate, setting the scope for the discussions, alongside Jason Clark, President of CIPHE, Ingrid Valceschini Associate Technician at Buro Happold and Tom Price, Chief Executive at Informed Engineering.

The discussion reinforced the importance of recognising technicians as independent professionals working alongside engineers, not only for the quality of the work they deliver, but also for the significant value they bring as leaders, problem-solvers, mentors and contributors to wider industry thinking. The event highlighted the importance of technicians as our industry continues its journey into digital transformation.

In addition to raising the debate amongst the leadership in the industry there was also an opportunity for the President to meet a range of professionals from the local area who are inspiring each other and engaging with students at the college helping them finding their place in the industry, what the ICE could mean to them and how to build a career. This conversation You, me and the ICE! Will was led by a panel of professionals including Sue Hawkes, Charlotte Brown, Richard Tourney and David Porter.

Later in the afternoon, the group visited Bean Tunnel, where Kent County Council, Ebbsfleet Development Corporation and Tony Gee’s Justin Ryan delivered a detailed technical briefing on the major civil infrastructure scheme to provide a Fastrack busway and a footway/cycleway linking Whitecliffe and Bluewater. This was followed by an immersive site tour, offering first-hand insight into the engineering challenges and solutions shaping this key infrastructure scheme.

A huge thank you to all involved for hosting a valuable and collaborative day.