The New Civil Engineer has announced its top 100 UK civil engineering companies at an industry event at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London on Thursday June 22, 2017.  Engineering and environmental hydraulics organisation, HR Wallingford, based at Howbery Business Park, Wallingford, is one of the fastest climbers in this year’s rankings, having risen 28 places to 15th in this year's NCE 100.  As well as celebrating the top 100 civil engineering companies in the UK, the event also highlights those firms which excel in each of the New Civil Engineer’s 10 award categories.

HR Wallingford was named as a finalist in the Technology Champion Award for its use of innovative technologies while working on the £300 million Aberdeen Harbour Extension project.

The company prides itself on its technical excellence, and on attracting and developing talent.  It has strong links with universities and colleges, and its staff – many of whom are international authorities in their field – act as visiting tutors and professors.

“This year, New Civil Engineer has for the first time sought out, assessed and recognised the top 100 firms in civil engineering based on the cultures, competencies and skillsets that we passionately believe matter most,” said New Civil Engineer editor Mark Hansford.

HR Wallingford is keen to play its part in promoting equality and diversity in the engineering industry - 38% of its engineers and scientists, and its chairperson, are female, and the workforce includes 24 different nationalities.

Speaking on June 23, which is International Women in Engineering Day (INWED17), Ian Cruickshank, HR Wallingford’s director of engineering, said: "I’m fully behind initiatives that support equality and diversity in our profession. When I was at university in the 1980s, there were just three women in a cohort of 90 students. Things have improved since then, but more can be done, both in the industry as a whole and here at HR Wallingford. We are making positive steps, and I’m proud to say that 100% of the latest group of my colleagues sitting and passing their Institution of Civil Engineer exams were women.”

HR Wallingford’s chief executive, Dr Bruce Tomlinson, said: “We are extremely pleased to have been acknowledged in the NCE 100, and progressed into the top 20 ranked UK civil engineering companies. This recognises the fantastic expertise and hard work of the team at HR Wallingford who contribute to the services we provide to our clients, and the latest research and technology upon which these services are built.