Andy Walker named ICE STEM Ambassador of the Year 2026

Congratulations to Andy Walker, Highway Inspector on our A19 Road Operations and Maintenance Contract (ROM), who has been named STEM Ambassador of the Year at the 2026 ICE Awards, held in London on 2nd July.

The award, presented to one of 12 regional winners from across the UK, celebrates individuals who go above and beyond to encourage young people to explore careers in civil engineering through school engagement, careers events and hands-on learning activities.

Andy received the national accolade in recognition of his long-standing commitment to STEM outreach and inclusive education. Having already been named the regional winner for North East England, Andy’s efforts have helped inspire more than 4,700 young people between 2023 and 2025.

Using the interactive ‘Building Bridges, Constructing Futures’ activity, Andy brings engineering to life for students of all ages and abilities. This STEM Bridge Kit is an engaging, team-based learning experience that combines practical engineering, curriculum-linked STEM education and careers awareness through the construction of a full-scale cable-stayed bridge. He works hard to ensure sessions are accessible for wheelchair users and actively empowers children with learning disabilities to take leading roles in activities.

Reflecting on the award, Andy said: “The moments that stay with me aren’t the presentations or events. They’re the conversations with students who discover a new passion, gain confidence, or realise their potential.

“The greatest reward is seeing a young person's eyes light up when they realise engineering isn't just about structures and calculations, it's about creativity, solving problems, changing lives, and making a real difference in the world.

“Knowing I’ve played even a small part in those journeys is reward enough, which makes this recognition from ICE especially meaningful.”

Andy is also encouraging others to get involved in STEM outreach and experience the impact it can have on young people: “If you're involved in STEM outreach, or have ever thought about becoming a STEM Ambassador, I'd wholeheartedly encourage you to get involved. You never know whose life you might change.”

Andy’s work is also a powerful example of our Sustainable Engineering Excellence strategy in action. It illustrates our commitment to maximising social impact by using our collective expertise to create positive outcomes for people and communities. By inspiring more than 4,700 young people to explore careers in engineering and helping make the profession more diverse and accessible, Andy is demonstrating how individual actions can make a lasting difference and help build the talent pipeline our industry needs for the future.