Engineers Week

At GDG, we are proud to be part of a profession that plays a crucial role in shaping the world around us.

From designing foundations for offshore wind turbines to assessing the environmental impact of major infrastructure projects, the Engineers who work at GDG perform many varied tasks. We are all united by a passion for engineering excellence and a desire to make a positive impact on the world.

This week we’re proud to showcase some of the diverse Engineering roles within GDG. Stay tuned to see what our Engineer minifigures get up to this #engineersweek.

Our Engineer minifigure is working from home with Andrew Foster, Senior Project Manager in our Marine Advisory Team.

Andrew is responsible for the preparation and technical planning of our offshore windfarm projects and also manages our geothermal energy function. He joined GDG in 2021 having moved from the oil & gas industry. He holds a Masters in Well Design & Engineering, and recently completed an MBA in Energy & Sustainability.

Andrew and our Engineer minifigure had a busy day of meetings on Microsoft Teams before taking time to inspect the wind turbine which powers Andrew’s home office.

On International Women’s Day 2023, we see our Engineer minifigure accompanying GDG Director, Yvonne Ainsworth, to the Royal Academy of Engineering.

Yvonne is a geotechnics, deep foundation and basement construction specialist with over 20 years’ experience. She is a Fellow of the Institution of Civil Engineers, a Chartered Engineer, a RoGEP Adviser and an experienced ICE Reviewer. During her career, Yvonne has been involved in a wide variety of projects and positions in both Engineering consulting and contracting.

Yvonne Ainsworth is also responsible for Human Resource Management within
GDG, which has brought her, and our Engineer minifigure, to this wonderful venue for a discussion on Engineering Inclusive Cultures.

As INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY (MARCH 8) draws to a close, our Engineer minifigure joins Dr Indrasenan Thusyanthan (FICE, CEng) and Richard Pike on their business trip to Chennai, India.

Our Engineer minifigure is observing underground construction work from the Taj Wellington Mews Hotel, the only hotel in Asia run entirely by women.

We see our Engineer minifigure visiting The port of Marseille Fos with GDG Technical Director, Diarmuid O’Loan, and Associate Director, William Brown.

Diarmuid and William, along with our Engineer minifigure, visited Marseille as part of an Invest Northern Ireland Offshore Wind Trade Mission. The group enjoyed three days of productive meetings and technical visits.

Diarmuid is a specialist in Marine Civil Engineering Design with over 30 years’ experience in concept and detailed designs, project management and contract administration as well as geotechnical assessment, inspection of maritime projects and temporary works.

William, who is Head of Ports and Harbours in GDG, is a Chartered Engineer with over 16 years’ experience in the design and delivery of a wide range of marine civil engineering projects.

We see our Engineer minifigure on-site with Geotechnical Engineer, Efstathia Chioti.

The pair are on the site of a proposed solar farm in Timahoe, Co. Offaly, where Efstathia is supervising a piling test. The site is located on a cutaway peat bog which brings some additional geotechnical and structural challenges due to the soft peat ground conditions. You can find out more about the project at – https://lnkd.in/g43h-p4i

Efstathia is a Geotechnical Engineer with a Masters in Civil Engineering. She has been working with our Structures Team for over two years.

To end our Engineer minifigure’s adventures for Engineers Week 2023, he accompanied our Managing Director, Dr Indrasenan Thusyanthan, and Business Development Director, Richard Pike, to celebrate the birthday of His Majesty King Charles III at the British Deputy High Commission in Chennai, India, last night.

The group were kindly invited by The British Deputy High Commissioner, Chennai, Oliver Ballhatchet MBE and The British High Commissoner, Alex Ellis.

They enjoyed an engaging panel discussion on the Climate and Environment followed by the King’s party.