A PROJECT manager for Wessex Water has been honoured with a prestigious engineering award recognising his work on renewing a water treatment plant.

Matthew Foyle has landed the prestigious Baroness Platt of Writtle Award from The Engineers Trust after he impressed judges with a presentation on the use of 3D computer-aided design (CAD) and building information modelling (BIM), used for the careful planning of the renewal of a water treatment plant on a congested site.

The award recognises the achievements of outstanding newly-registered Incorporated Engineers (IEng) across all disciplines and is named after the late aeronautical engineer Baroness Platt, who pioneered the Women into Science and Engineering initiative and chaired the Equal Opportunities Commission.

Matthew said: “I am delighted to have won the Baroness Platt of Writtle award – it is a huge honour that a panel of such highly esteemed judges from across the engineering industry have recognised my achievements.

“Attaining IEng status with the Institute of Engineering and Technology has been a key milestone in my career. It demonstrates the dedication, experience and technical knowledge required to be recognised as both a professional and competent engineer who is valued by my employer.”

A member of Wessex Water’s professional development scheme, Matthew is also studying for an MSc in Professional Engineering at Aston University with a view to becoming a chartered engineer.

He is proactive in encouraging school and college leavers to enter the profession, helped develop his employer’s M&E apprenticeship recruitment programme and actively drives closer links between Wessex Water and the IET.

Matthew’s line manager Simon Whaley, contract manager for Wessex Water engineering and construction, said: “We’re all tremendously proud of Matthew’s achievements and are so pleased he’s been recognised with this prestigious award.

“Matthew achieving IEng professional registration status shows his proven commitment, skills and experience as an engineer.”

A medal, certificate and £1,000 prize money was presented to Matthew at the annual Worshipful Company of Engineers awards ceremony on July 10.