The Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) has awarded West Yorkshire civil engineer James Haigh with its elite chartered status.
James, who lives in Roberttown and works for multinational civil engineering firm Arup, has been awarded the protected title of Chartered Engineer and membership of the ICE, which allows him to add the letters CEng and MICE after his name. He grew up in Heckmondwike, attended Spen Valley High School and studied Civil and Structural Engineering at the University of Bradford.
ICE membership can be awarded to a wide range of engineers practising in the broad area of civil engineering in recognition for their work in the field, and after passing a professional review. The organisation has 90,000 members worldwide, including more than 4,000 in Yorkshire.
The ICE's professionally qualified grades of membership are internationally recognised, and are viewed in the engineering sectors as a significant achievement and a benchmark of an engineer's competence and professional standing.
ICE Regional Director for Yorkshire and Humber Penny Marshall said: “Civil engineering sits right at the heart of society. It is all about shaping, improving and protecting the infrastructure that we all depend on in our day-to-day lives, from bridges, roads and railways right through to energy networks and water and waste infrastructure. The Smart Motorway improvements to the M62 and Emley Moor Mast are examples of the work of our civil engineers.
“Achieving Chartered Civil engineer status is a significant personal and career achievement and we welcome James into the ICE.”
Mr Haigh said: “Membership of the ICE and becoming a chartered engineer are the result of more than a decade of hard work; through school, college, university and in employment. I feel like I have done my family proud.
“A career in civil engineering opens up so many opportunities to work in different fields and places. You meet so many different people, from different backgrounds, who as a team can produce something very special.”