Professor Al-Tabbaa attended the ICE Fellows’ Christmas Reception on Monday 5 December at One Great George Street at which Lord Heseltine was invited to give the keynote speech. As the commissioner on the National Infrastructure Commission and chair of the Thames Estuary 2050 Growth Commission, Lord Heseltine spoke of his support for the Government’s “more strategic approach to infrastructure”.
He emphasised the need for innovation in UK engineering to facilitate international competition and leadership. Professor Tim Boyd, the newly Elected ICE President, also spoke, continuing his presidential theme on digital engineering, calling for ICE members to innovate and collaborate to ensure the industry can deliver the smart infrastructure needed for the modern world and called on engineers to be bold and to embrace change, such as new disruptive technologies. The event was attended by over 250 senior industry leaders who are members of ICE.