Lauren Parsons, project manager at Seymour Civil Engineering, is the new chair of the Civil Engineering Contractors Association North East (CECA NE) Foundations Group
Lauren takes over from outgoing co-chairs Matthew Tetley of Absolute Civil Engineering Ltd and Ben Adcock of Costain Group PLC.
With a strong track record of supporting emerging talent in the civil engineering sector, Lauren will lead the Group, dedicated to promoting civil engineering and construction careers to current and future generations. By connecting with like-minded professionals, organisations and educational institutions, the Group works to attract young people into the sector, providing a variety of platforms to help nurture and develop talent.
Lauren Parsons, said: “The Foundations Group is a fantastic platform to support young people entering, or considering civil engineering and we have a real opportunity to continue growing our outreach, which is essential if we are to fill the skills gap that is becoming an ever-pressing challenge for our sector. I’m ready and eager to start building on the incredible work Matthew and Ben have done over the last two years.”
Matthew and Ben’s leadership saw significant achievements, including the development of the College Bursary Programme, charity work with Heel and Toe Children’s Charity and engaging educational activities. Their dedication helped strengthen the Foundations Group’s presence and influence in the region, making a real impact on young people and the wider community.
Matthew Tetley, said: “It’s been a privilege to be co-chair and to work on initiatives supporting young people and give back to our communities. We’ve seen great progress in the past two years and I’m confident Lauren will take the Group to new heights as she leads it forward.”
Ben Adcock, added: “It’s been a rewarding experience working alongside so many passionate professionals, highlighting the true power of what our industry can achieve when it works together. The dedication and focus of the team has been impressive and I’m pleased to stand down knowing the huge potential of the Group to continue creating meaningful impact going forward.”
Supporting Lauren in her new role will be the Group’s new vice chairs, Rob Loveridge, lead quantity surveyor at Mott MacDonald Bentley, and Olivia Miller, trainee business development coordinator at Esh. Both bring fresh perspectives and a commitment to furthering the Group’s work. Alongside them, Chloe Gooding, marketing coordinator at Seymour Civil Engineering, has joined the team as marketing lead to enhance the Group’s communications, outreach and engagement initiatives.
Stuart Miller, director of CECA North East, said: “The Group plays a vital role in showcasing opportunities within civil engineering. Lauren’s experience and forward-thinking approach make her an excellent choice as chair. I’m confident she will drive the Group forward, especially with several new initiatives in development. I’d also like to thank Matthew and Ben for their exceptional leadership and the huge impact they’ve had on the Group during their tenure. We wish them all the best for the future.”
CECA North East represents civil engineering contractors operating in the region and offers its members access to technical guidance, training, industry engagement and policy representation. The organisation is dedicated to advocating for the sector and supporting its members in addressing the challenges and opportunities facing the civil engineering and construction industries today.