Cornish mining engineer achieves top professional award

A leading civil engineer, who has worked across Cornwall for 30 years helping people and businesses overcome problems caused by the county’s mining heritage, has achieved a top professional award.

Nick Datson, who is a specialist in mining subsidence, shaft capping, structural surveys and building repairs of subsidence and landslips across the southern half of the UK, has been awarded fellowship of the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE), the oldest professional engineering association in the world.

Nick owns and operates his own consulting practice, Datson Consulting, based at Bissoe near Truro. He played a key role following the Boscastle floods in 2004, where he coordinated the disaster management response on behalf of multiple insurance companies.

Nick, who achieved Fellow (FICE) accreditation from ICE in July 2020, said:

“The Institution does a great deal to promote excellence in the civil engineering profession and I am delighted and very proud to have been accepted as a Fellow by my peers after originally gaining chartered status back in 1993.  Membership of the ICE is well respected throughout the world and I look forward to giving back to the profession by helping others progress into and through the civil engineering industry.”

ICE represents more than 95,000 civil engineers and technicians across the world, with 7,000 in the South West, who design, build and maintain transport, water, energy, waste and flood infrastructure.

Miranda Housden, ICE South West Regional Director, commented:

“Fellowship is our highest grade of membership for civil engineers who’ve made a significant contribution to the profession. Nick has achieved ICE fellowship following a rigorous professional application process which reflects the depth of experience and expertise in his specialist field. Through his work on mining subsidence, he’s helping to make people’s lives safer and unlock further economic growth for Cornwall. We’re delighted to welcome Nick as an ICE Fellow and look forward to working with him in our work to inspire the next generation of civil engineers.”

Anyone wanting to find out more about becoming an ICE Member or Fellow should visit ice.org.uk/membership.