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Geoff French

Reflections on a vision for integrity, communication and engagement

As I approach the end of my ICE presidential term, it is important that I reflect on what I’ve seen and done, says outgoing ICE president Geoff French.

My favourite definition of an engineer is “something that combines the tools of today with a vision of tomorrow to engineer the world of the future” and I have seen great examples of engineers doing precisely that everywhere I have been.  Sometimes through enormous projects like Crossrail and the new Panama Canal.  Other projects have been smaller, but just as vital due to the benefits they provide to the local community. Some are outstanding simply because they have re-thought a challenge. 

The Peacehaven Sewage Works near Brighton for example - the works are largely enclosed under a green roof and sited in a fold of the South Downs.  Consequently it is an odourless Sewage Works with virtually no visual impact. 

The world faces some major challenges - not least population growth and climate change, and both ICE and the engineering community must be ready to meet these challenges.  

All of these projects were staffed by engineers who were clearly proud, but also extremely modest, about their achievements. This, I feel, is a common trait amongst engineers, however arguably, one we should “shake off”. We are all ambassadors for our profession and should enthuse publicly about the projects we design, build and maintain – capturing the imagination of the public, and inspiring the next generation.

The principles I stressed in my Presidential Address were Integrity, Communication and Engagement and each has progressed.  Integrity, by my definition, includes Sustainability and Diversity.  There is a danger that these words have lost their impact through common misuse, but they are serious challenges for us all.  We must ensure our behaviour recognises that we only have one planet at our disposal, we know we must continue to encourage a diverse pool of talent into civil engineering, and we must train and professionally qualify more technicians.

The highlight of our Communication and Engagement this year was our State of the Nation: Infrastructure report.  In my view this is the best State of the Nation ICE has produced and it is evident that its message continues to resonate with all political parties.

I will shortly hand over the presidential baton to Professor David Balmforth, and am confident ICE will continue to prosper under his reins.

The world faces some major challenges - not least population growth and climate change, and both ICE and the engineering community must be ready to meet these challenges.  

I know this is an area David will tackle in his address - reflecting on the vision and tenacity of the early Victorian engineers and looking ahead to the global megatrends that will test our fragile networks. It is an area he is hugely passionate about and I look forward to seeing this unfold in the year ahead.

Geoff French is the outgoing ICE President