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Dervilla Mitchell receives an honorary CBE

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Charlotte S Charlotte Fernández UKIMEA Press Office,Leeds
18 December 2014

Arup board member and trustee, Dervilla Mitchell, was presented with an honorary CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire) from Greg Clark, the Minister for Universities, Science and Cities.

Dervilla has successfully delivered several technically challenging major projects. Most notably, she was the Arup lead for Heathrow Airport’s Terminal 5 (2000 to 2006), the largest construction project in Europe at the time. She was also the Arup structural team leader for the technically complex and high profile Portcullis House project in Westminster and led the Arup team providing input on the concept for the Athletes’ Village in Stratford.

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I am delighted to have been asked to present this award to Dervilla. She has made a tremendous contribution to engineering in the UK and is one of our foremost female engineers. In addition to her many achievements, she has shown a tireless commitment to promoting diversity in engineering. ” Greg Clarke Minister for Universities, Science and Cities

Dervilla was elected to the Royal Academy of Engineering in 2007 and has won numerous awards, including the Murray Buxton (2000) and Derrington Construction Awards (2004) from the Institution of Structural Engineers and the Women of Outstanding Achievement Award for Inspiration and Leadership, Business and Industry (2011). 

She helped establish Arup’s women’s network ConnectWomen and was a founding member of Arup’s Diversity Steering Group, championing Arup’s Inclusive Leadership Programme. She has also been involved in many schools’ activities to encourage girls to pursue engineering careers and led Arup’s first female undergraduate open day. 

 
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With the world looking to our industry to help find the solutions to the challenges of rapid urbanisation and global connectivity, it is such an exciting time to be an engineer. It is a great honour to have my career and contribution recognised in this way and it is my hope that this award inspires young people to join the profession, and have the exciting and rewarding career that I have enjoyed. ” Dervilla Mitchell Dervilla Mitchell Deputy Chair