The Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) has awarded its first Chartered Infrastructure Engineer (CIE) title to Chris Landsburgh, a Decarbonisation Director at infrastructure consulting firm AECOM.
Chris has been involved in the infrastructure sector for over 10 years and specialises in decarbonising infrastructure. He provides advice on net zero plans, whole life carbon accounting, and sustainability strategies for governments and businesses.
Already a Chartered Environmentalist, he was formerly an ICE President’s Future Leader under past president Paul Sheffield, is an ICE Carbon Champion and was involved in creating the PAS 2080 standard for carbon management in infrastructure.
The CIE title is the first new title to be awarded since 1923 when the first Chartered Engineer titles were awarded.
What is a Chartered Infrastructure Engineer?
The CIE title was acquired by the ICE in response to the recommendations made by Professor John Uff in his 2016 review of UK engineering.
Professor Uff observed that a significant number of academically qualified, practising engineers were operating outside the Professional Engineering Institution structure.
In the report he recommended these engineers become professionally qualified to help assure the public that the engineers who are delivering the infrastructure they use daily are current, credible, and competent.
The CIE title, the introduction of which was approved by members in 2022, allows the ICE to professionally qualify engineers involved in all aspects of infrastructure delivery and welcome them into its membership.
The introduction of this new title acknowledges the changing needs of an industry which has been transformed by innovation, new technologies, and a desire to build a more inclusive and sustainable world through multi-disciplinary collaboration.
How does someone become a Chartered Infrastructure Engineer?
CIE candidates must participate in a similarly rigorous process as Chartered Civil Engineer candidates. The same assessment standard and methodology is applied but tailored towards the CIE candidate’s specialism.
This process includes submitting documentary evidence of competence and professional commitment, passing a written communication task and interviewing with at least two professional qualified reviewers. One reviewer is a civil engineer, the other has knowledge of the CIE candidate’s specialism.
Chartered Infrastructure Engineers will help society meet engineering challenges
Chris Landsburgh said,‘The ICE has been a professional home for several years, and becoming the first Chartered Infrastructure Engineer is an honour.
‘This new title fosters a culture of inclusivity and collaboration and reflects the industry’s commitment to evolve.
‘Drawing on the collective knowledge of many disciplines will set the industry and society up well to navigate the challenges we’re facing such as climate change and the need to decarbonise infrastructure’.
ICE President Keith Howells said, ‘I’m delighted to conclude my tenure as ICE President with the announcement that Chris Landsburgh has become the institution’s first Chartered Infrastructure Engineer.
‘Awarding this new protected title follows years of discussion about modernising and broadening the ICE to become a professional home for all those working in infrastructure.
‘The Engineering Council, HM Privy Council and others all required assurance that this new title was needed and that the highest standards of professional review would be met.
‘All believed that introducing the title aligned with the ICE’s mission to ensure that the world has the infrastructure it needs to thrive.’
‘I look forward to welcoming many more like Chris in the future’.
AECOM’s chief executive for Europe & India, Colin Wood said, ‘I know I speak for many in our industry in warmly welcoming the new title of Chartered Infrastructure Engineer.
‘As we collaborate to solve the important challenges of our time, such as decarbonisation and resilience, it is right that we recognise the valuable expertise and experience of our colleagues who haven’t specifically taken a civil engineering route, but whose professional capability is instrumental to the outcomes we are working to achieve.
‘Huge congratulations to Chris on this achievement’.
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