I am a chartered civil engineer and I spent much of my career as a construction client and procurement specialist in the Northern Ireland Civil Service. My Fellowship in road planning took me to Canada and Europe.

I retired in 2013 as a Permanent Secretary of the Department for Regional Development responsible for all public roads, water and waste water, and public transport in Northern Ireland. I now specialise in advising clients on the procurement and delivery of major construction projects. Since 2013 I have worked as a strategic adviser to the boards of a number of major construction programmes, including Crossrail, HS2 and the restoration and renewal of the Palace of Westminster.

I was President of the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) from 2007 to 2008 and in 2009 was awarded the ICE Gold Medal for services to infrastructure. I am also a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering and in 2017 I was awarded an honorary degree (Doctor of Science) by Ulster University for services to engineering. I was appointed CBE in the New Year Honours list in 2010.