Dungannon family man leads global Institution of civil engineers..'I didn’t set out to be President, but I would do it all again'

A Co Tyrone engineer has taken up one of the most prestigious roles in civil engineering, becoming the first person from Northern Ireland in almost two decades to lead the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE).

David Porter, from Dungannon, was formally inducted as the 161st President of the Institution at a ceremony held in its historic headquarters on Great George Street, London.

David, who is director of Engineering and Transformation at the Department for Infrastructure, is just the third person from Northern Ireland to hold the position in the Institution’s 207-year history.

He was joined at the event by his proud family — wife Wendy, son Johnny, mum Norma, and father-in-law Richard Scott — as well as almost 400 guests from across the UK and a delegation from Hong Kong, who gathered in one of the grand rooms of the Institution’s landmark building to mark the occasion.

David, who began his year as ICE President this week, delivered his Presidential address to members setting out his vision for the year ahead.

The event was broadcast live to more than 1,100 members around the world — the largest combined in-person and online audience in the Institution’s history.

Former chair of ICE NI, David used his speech to call on engineers to improve how they communicate with the public about the value of infrastructure.

“The engineering is hugely important but it’s actually the service that is provided by infrastructure that the public want to hear about,” he explained.

While in conversation with TV presenter and journalist, Steph McGovern, he shared the moment he learned this lesson as a graduate engineer.

He’d been sent to a government council meeting to talk about a bridge replacement. He was prepared with all the technical details: the strength of the concrete, the size of the rebars, and so on.

Instead, “they wanted to talk about how the lady up to the street couldn’t get to play Bridge... because the road was going to be closed,” he added.

It became clear to him that people are interested in infrastructure because of the service that it offers.

David is also the first infrastructure client to serve as ICE President in around a decade.

Drawing on his experience in public infrastructure delivery, he urged the sector to focus on what he calls being an ‘informed client’.

"An informed client is one that really understands the consequences of their decisions and how the current system actually works,” he explained, replacing the often used term, ‘intelligent client’.

"It isn’t that an informed client will guarantee project success, but it will ensure that a project has a better probability of a positive outcome.

"It will also help clients take the difficult decisions needed to achieve objectives like net zero."

During his address, David highlighted ICE’s ongoing work to bridge the skills gap and share knowledge across the industry. He pointed to the annual State of the Nation report – this year warning about the UK’s ageing infrastructure – as an example of how ICE helps engineers stay informed and competent. The 2025 report highlighted that experts worry about the creaking state of ageing infrastructure across the UK.

He also discussed the Institution’s new five-year strategy, which will guide how ICE responds to global challenges such as climate change and resilience.

Reflecting on his long involvement with the Institution – from serving as chair of ICE Northern Ireland to becoming President - he encouraged engineers at all career stages to take an active role.

“There’s a place for you here, in the ICE,” he said. “The more you put into the Institution, the more you get back. I didn’t set out to be President, but I would do it all again.”

The Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) is a 97,000-strong global membership organisation with over 200 years of history.

It is a centre of engineering excellence, qualifying engineers and helping them maintain lifelong competence, assuring society that the infrastructure they create is safe, dependable and well designed.

Its network of experts offers trusted, impartial advice to politicians and decision makers on how to build and adapt infrastructure to create a more sustainable world.

Speaking in London following David’s inaugural address Minister Kimmins added: “I want to congratulate David on his appointment as President of the Institution of Civil Engineers and wish him every success in the year ahead.

"This is not only a great personal honour for David, but it also reflects positively on the Department for Infrastructure and the wider Civil Service. Since becoming Minister I have worked closely with David, and his expertise, passion for his work and commitment to delivering for people has been evident.

"I have no doubt that in his year as President he will make a significant contribution to the work of ICE.”