Minister for Universities, Science and Cities Greg Clark today bestowed an honorary CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire) on Dervilla Mitchell, trustee and board member of the global engineering consultancy Arup.
Mitchell has successfully delivered several technically challenging major projects. Most notably, she was the Arup lead for Heathrow Airport’s Terminal 5 (2000-2006), the largest construction project in Europe at the time.
She was also the Arup structural team leader for the technically complex Portcullis House project in Westminster and led the Arup team providing input on the concept for the Athletes’ Village in Stratford.
Clark said: “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.”
Mitchell 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 been involved in many schools’ activities to encourage girls to pursue engineering careers and led Arup’s first female undergraduate open day.
The ceremony was conducted today at the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills.
