The Civil Engineering Contractors Association North East (CECA NE) Foundations Group has appointed Lauren Parsons, project manager at Seymour Civil Engineering, as its new chair.
Parsons takes over from outgoing co-chairs Matthew Tetley of Absolute Civil Engineering Ltd and Ben Adcock of Costain Group PLC.
The Group focuses on promoting careers in civil engineering and construction, working with industry partners and education providers to support skills development and encourage new entrants into the sector.
Skills development and outreach remain central focus
The Foundations Group brings together industry professionals, organisations and educational institutions to engage young people and highlight career pathways within civil engineering.
The appointment comes at a time when the sector continues to face ongoing skills shortages and increasing pressure to attract and retain new 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.”
Previous initiatives and new leadership team confirmed
During their tenure, outgoing co-chairs Matthew Tetley and Ben Adcock supported a range of initiatives, including a College Bursary Programme, charity activity with Heel and Toe Children’s Charity, and wider educational engagement work.
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 Parsons in the role are newly appointed vice chairs Rob Loveridge, lead quantity surveyor at Mott MacDonald Bentley, and Olivia Miller, trainee business development coordinator at Esh. Chloe Gooding, marketing coordinator at Seymour Civil Engineering, has also joined as marketing lead.
CECA North East highlights importance of talent pipeline
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.”
The CECA NE represents civil engineering contractors across the region, providing members with technical guidance, training, industry engagement and policy support.
