As we mark International Women in Engineering Day, we’re proud to shine a spotlight on some of the incredible women within our team and the impactful projects they’ve led or played an integral role in.
From pioneering education spaces and healthcare facilities to reimagining civic centres and delivering sustainable housing, our female engineers are helping to shape the built environment in meaningful and lasting ways.
Graduate structural engineer, Sairah Ahmed, played a key role in designing Wakefield Court in Northwich, Cheshire, a residential development comprising 16 affordable homes. Designed for Weaver Vale Housing Trust, this scheme includes 12 semi-detached houses and 4 cottage flats, all built with a vision of inclusivity and sustainability.
Sairah collaborated closely with the design team to develop detailed structural plans, retaining wall designs, and foundation schemes, all in compliance with local and environmental regulations. She also led the superstructure design of the homes, ensuring every detail contributed to safe and sustainable living.
Executive Associate, Kate Watson, is leading the engineering input on the revitalisation of Heywood Civic Centre, aligning with the Arts Council for England’s long-term vision for cultural engagement. This regeneration project will transform the civic centre into a cultural hub, enhancing accessibility and sustainability.
Kate’s work has included civil and structural engineering design across several phases, from drainage strategies and retaining wall designs to foundation coordination for street furniture and external landscaping, breathing new life into a key community asset.
Structural engineer, Louise Collier, has been at the forefront of two impactful and future-focused projects: Kingsbourne Academy and the Liverpool Women’s Hospital Neo-Natal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) extension.
At Kingsbourne Academy, a 210-pupil primary school in Nantwich, Louise led the structural and civil engineering design, incorporating reinforced concrete foundations, steel frames, and sustainable drainage systems. This state-of-the-art facility will provide hands-on learning environments including a sports field, kitchen garden, and outdoor classrooms, helping to inspire the next generation.
Louise contributed to the NICU extension at the Liverpool Women’s Hospital, a crucial healthcare facility delivered under the P22 framework. Here, she oversaw steel frame design, piled foundation systems, and bespoke surface water attenuation solutions, helping to deliver a safe, efficient, and high-quality environment for specialist neonatal care.
Navigating a traditionally male-dominated field requires confidence, adaptability, and resilience. Our female engineers bring this to every project, demonstrating that diverse teams build stronger, smarter solutions fit for the future.
This International Women in Engineering Day, we celebrate the achievements of Sairah, Kate, Louise, and all the women across our industry who continue to pave the way forward.
