, has been named on an inaugural list of the UK’s top 50 women in engineering. Published by the Daily Telegraph on 23 June 2016 to coincide with National Women in Engineering Day, the list features the country’s foremost influential female engineers, chosen from almost 900 nominations.
Debbie joined BRE’s Fire Research Station in 1984 after completing her PhD at the University of Birmingham in Metallurgy and Materials Science. During her career with the organisation, she has been involved in fire-related research, testing, certification and consultancy as well as with sustainability, in particular its impact and influence on fire protection and construction methods. In June 2010, she was awarded an OBE for services to fire safety.Debbie is also Chair of the European standardisation committee responsible for the development of all of the fire test methods for construction products in Europe and leads BRE’s collaboration with the BRE Centre for Fire Safety Engineering at the University of Edinburgh.
Dr Peter Bonfield, Chief Executive of the BRE Group said ‘Debbie’s selection for the list is testament to her outstanding talent, commitment and passion. As well as making a tremendous contribution to our organisation and the industry as a whole, her inclusion cements her position as one of an important group of gifted women engineers who are an inspiration for current and future generations.’
The list was compiled by the Daily Telegraph in collaboration with the Women’s Engineering Society, with the selected women representing a broad range of engineering roles including from the traditional built environment, energy and transport sectors as well as diverse businesses and organisations, and academia. It also includes women who, although no longer practicing as engineers, remain influential.
The BRE Womens Network are hosting an event at the IET, Savoy Place London on 20 September to connect and inspire women working in the built environment “BEinspired: Stories that push boundaries” is an evening event to share inspiring stories that push boundaries from women working in the built environment. It will also bring together women’s networks from across the sector to show participants the activities that are taking place in their profession and others. There will be networking and refreshments before and after the event. #BEinspired
For more information, go to www.bre.co.uk
