Engineering giant wins diversity award

WARRINGTON-based engineering and construction giant MWH Global has won a diversity award from the Institution of Civil Engineers.
The company, which has its UK headquarters in Birchwood and employs 7,000 people globally including engineers, consultants and construction professionals in 35 countries, was singled out by the leading professional body for its efforts to create opportunities for women and people from minority backgrounds.
Darrell Matthews, North West regional director of the Institution of Civil Engineers, said: “We introduced this award because we wanted to encourage best practice in the civil engineering and construction sectors, and MWH Global have shown that they deserve to be recognised for the steps they’ve taken to promote diversity and inclusiveness.”
Cath Schefer, MWH UK managing director, said: “We are truly delighted to win the first ever ICE Diversity Award.
“It’s great to have recognition of our commitment to actively recruiting top talent with diverse skills, backgrounds and personal experiences. It is important to us to provide all of our employees with a supportive environment in which to flourish”.
As an example of its initiatives to encourage greater gender, racial and cultural diversity, MWH says it uses statistical analysis data from the Engineering Workforce Commission to help the company to target educational institutions with excellent academic reputations and a solid representation of women and minority students.
Mr Matthews concluded: “Our industry has done a lot in recent years to be more inclusive, but we still have a long way to go. This new award from the Institution of Civil Engineers is our way of saying well done to companies that are leading the field in this respect, while highlighting the good practice that others in the sector can learn from.”